September 2006 (Downloadable PDF file)

The Legal Project

Pro Bono Corner
Lisa A. Frisch, Executive Director

Money Magazine reported this month about a study in the journal Science on whether money buys happiness. Although there were some interesting findings that once you make a certain income, making more money does little to improve your outlook on life, what was no surprise to those of us who work with those in our communities that have few resources is that not having enough money to have the essentials can make happiness difficult to achieve.

One poll found that 56% of those who make $75,000 a year reported being “very satisfied” with life while only 24% of persons making $25,000 or less reported being “very satisfied.” So, being able to afford a Lexus vs. a Chevy is not the issue, but having the funds to be able to own your own home, be able to pay for health care and education costs, or even buy the school supplies and new clothes that your children need is.

Our clients fall into that category of people who are largely working—and working very hard—as home health aides, receptionists, bank tellers, sales persons, waitstaff, etc. Despite all of their hard work, they live week to week off their paychecks and most certainly cannot afford the services of an attorney if they need one. These are the “working poor” of the Capital District. These are the people that we need your help to assist. They may need a simple civil legal question answered, or an order of protection in Family Court, or the services of a real estate attorney if they are fortunate enough to be a first time homebuyer working with an affordable housing program, or need help to file bankruptcy.

The numbers of the people needing our help are increasing just as the numbers of the working poor are growing in this community. There are so many opportunities to do pro bono with The Legal Project, and so many areas where we really need your help now. First, we have Legal Clinics in the four county area, where attorneys can volunteer just a few hours a month to answer civil legal questions during private consultations in their area of law. We have waiting lists for these clinics simply because we do not have enough attorneys to staff them. This is a really easy way to do pro bono and can make a huge difference.

Next, we have a critical need for family law attorneys to help us respond to our domestic violence clients who are seeking orders of protection or help with custody or visitation in Family Court. We don’t want to turn away victims of domestic violence simply because we don’t have an attorney to help them.

Lastly, we need attorneys with experience in wills and estates to prepare simple wills, health care proxies and living wills for low income persons with HIV/AIDS in a project we have with Legal Aid, funded through the AIDS Institute. Again, this is short term pro bono work, providing a tremendous service to the community.

Please e-mail us at spattenaude@legalproject.org for more information on how you can give your time to help our clients. Thank you!

11th Annual Pro Bono Reception

Hogtoberfest Auction to Help the Legal Project and Other Non-Profits

The Guilderland Chamber of Commerce (GCC) has gone hog wild with Pigtacular! It’s all about pigs, people, philanthropy and the arts. On Thursday, October 12, 2006, “Hogtoberfest” will close out the Pigtacular festivities at the Albany Country Club. This exciting event, with celebrity MC Elisa Streeter of WTEN Channel 10 News will begin at 6:15 p.m. with a “Pig Preview Party” followed by the pig auction. 28 pieces of adorned porcine art will be available in this auction for attendees to bid on Proceeds from the sale of each pig are designated to go to the charity of each of the pig sponsors choice. A total of 22 charities are involved, including The Legal Project, which was the chosen non-profit of Stuyvesant Plaza. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on their favorite pig(s), support their favorite charities, meet the pig sponsors and the artists that created them. There will be great musical entertainment provided by “The Bavarian Barons. Fabulous German food fare will be included in the $30 ticket price. The ticket price goes to $50 after October 2, 2006. Seating is limited and tickets will be available at the Guilderland Chamber office, located at 2021 Western Avenue, Singer’s Jewelers, at 1704 Western Avenue or through www.pigtacular.com, or www.guilderlandchamber.com. For more information please call 518/456-6611.

Thanks for taking cases in June, July, and August!

Domestic Violence Legal Connection
Glen Brownell
Margaret Donnelly
Laura Egner
Lea Ermides
Eric Gee
Cheryl Hogan (2)
Veronica Kosich
Suzanne Latimer (2)
David Levy
Barrett Mack (2)
Margaret Tabak

AHAA
Arthur Casey
Anne Reynolds Copps
Gerald Dwyer
Kelly Malloy-Pogoda
Jeannine Purtell
Pamela Robich
Melissa Ryan
Edward Salvo
Linda Taverni
Jamie Woodward


Legal Clinics

YWCA
Dana Boniewski

Philip Schuyler
Coordinator – Carla Brogoch
Janet Axelrod
Gayle Hartz
Barbara King
Ron Orlando

Unity House
Coordinator – Abe Bolgatz
Thomas Kenney
Jill Nagy
Ron Orlando

Mechanicville
Anne Reynolds Copps
Heena Shaikh

South End
Coordinator – Katie Weinberg
Katherine Levitan
John McBride
Margaret Vella

Equinox
Coordinator – Stephanie Hollner
David Levy
Joann Sternheimer

The Legal Project
Coordinators – Katie Weinberg & Carla Brogoch
Jennifer Corcoran
Barbara King
David Levy
Ron Orlando
Meredith Savitt
Heena Shaikh
Joann Sternheimer
Margaret Vella
Risa Viglucci

Bankruptcy:
Tony Arcodia
Paula Barbaruolo
Richard Croak
John McBride
Laura Silva
Richard Weiskopf

HIV/AIDS Law Consortium Wills & Estates Program:
Anne Reynolds Copps
Gayle Hartz
Paul Macari
Patrick Morphy
Heena Shaikh
Deb Slezak
Kate Teal

A very special thanks to all of you who volunteered to help over the summer! We know that takes great dedication and we appreciate it!