The
Legal Project
Pro
Bono Corner
Lisa A. Frisch, Executive Director
From the Legal Director:
I am writing The Legal Project column this month in order to say goodbye
to all of you with whom I've worked during my tenure at The Legal Project.
As many of you know, for the past four and a half years I have lived in
Albany during the week and commuted home to the North Country every weekend.
It has been well worth the commute to have a job I love, colleagues I
adore, and to be doing work that is so dear to my heart. However, it has
also meant that I have missed many, many things at home, and that my partner
has had to shoulder most of the burden of our home and pets. She's done
that willingly - for me, and for all of the clients I've been able to
help, both directly and indirectly here at The Legal Project. It has still
been difficult for both of us at times.
Now, however, the
time has come to be back home full-time. I have recently been offered
a position in the Essex County District Attorney's office, doing domestic
violence and sexual assault prosecutions, along with other cases. Essex
County is where we live, which will allow me to have my life back in
one place again. The position sounds challenging and interesting, and
will allow me to develop expertise in a whole different side of dealing
with the problems of domestic violence and sexual assault. I have good
relationships with the domestic violence and sexual assault advocates
there, and am looking forward to working to create an environment in
which victims feel enough trust in the process, and enough safety, to
be able to participate as fully as possible in prosecuting these crimes.
It is an exciting prospect that I am looking forward to. I start my
new job on June 5.
The flip side, of
course, is that I will be leaving dozens of friends and colleagues with
whom I've developed both professional and personal relationships in
my time here. For anyone who doesn't already know it, The Legal Project
has the most amazing staff. We are a family, and it is very sad to think
of saying good-bye to everyone. The talent and the commitment these
colleagues and friends demonstrate every day makes me very proud to
have been a part of the team for so long.
The community of
caring attorneys with whom I've worked these past years is truly unique.
I have been privileged to travel to various parts of the country to
do workshops about how to start and maintain a pro bono program like
the ones we have. When people hear of the numbers of attorneys who volunteer
with us, and the work they do, they are, quite simply, astounded. Although
some very large cities have pro bono panels similar in size, for a place
as small as Albany, it is remarkable. From the clinics to the AHAA program
to the 80 or so attorneys who provide representation to victims of domestic
violence, the work you all do continues to amaze and impress me, over
and over again.
I thank you all
for this opportunity to have worked with you and for you. I am extremely
proud to have had a part in the continued evolution of The Legal Project.
It is unquestionably the best thing I've ever done in my professional
life. I have no doubt that each and every one of you will continue to
play your own part in allowing The Legal Project to grow and thrive
into the future. Thanks for everything! Come see me in the North Country!
Thanks for taking
cases in April!
Domestic Violence
Legal Connection
Sue Adler
Fatima Goodman
Barbara King
Michelle Haskin
Barrett Mack
Monica Oberting
AHAA
Kevin Wheatley
Legal Clinics
YWCA
Tammy Arquette
Dana Boniewski
Arthur Casey
Jennifer Purcell
Philip Schuyler
Coordinator - Robin Ferro
Janet Axelrod
Barbara King
Ron Orlando
Unity House
Coordinator - Abe Bolgatz
Thomas Kenney
Mechanicville
Anne Reynolds Copps
South End
Coordinator - Vickie Smith-Moyo
John McBride
Margaret Vella
Equinox
Coordinator - Stephanie Hollner
David Levy
Joann Sternheimer
Congratulations to Camille
Siano Enders!
Camille
was a long term Board Member of The Legal Project, and has been one
of our most active
volunteers, regularly helping domestic violence victims get legal assistance
in Family Court while using her own personal and vacation time from
her position at the New York State Worker's Compensation Board. Even
the birth of her son Aidan a few years ago didn't slow her down in her
generosity of pro bono time for our clients and in helping other communities
develop pro bono clinics similar to The Legal Project's. Camille has
been recognized with numerous awards for all of her efforts, including
this year's prestigious WBASNY Hanna S. Cohn Pro Bono Award, and she
recently was awarded the 2006 County Executive's Volunteer Award by
Albany County Executive Michael Breslin, for her work with The Legal
Project. We're proud of you, Camille, and appreciate all that you give
back to this community! Congratulations!
An Early Save-The-Date
The fall gets booked
up fast, so please mark your calendars for the 11th Annual Pro Bono Reception,
where The Legal Project honors the volunteers and community partners who
do so much to serve the Capital District. Our 2006 Reception will be on
Thursday, October 26th at the beautiful New York State Museum Terrace
Gallery!
|
