The Legal Project, Inc. Pro Bono Corner Wendy Durand, Executive Director

 

Bankruptcy & Credit

Building Partnerships

to Make Legal Services Available

 

The Legal Project and the Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association are joining forces to bring legal services to people who are struggling with debt and looking for legal help. 

 

As we began to develop this new program, we at  The Legal Project wondered, who files for bankruptcy and how did they find themselves so overwhelmed with debt?  

 

Speaking with attorneys, credit counseling agencies, and non-profit organizations, we are hearing about people who, for many reasons, are unable to meet their bills despite their best efforts.  We have been told that people in the following circumstances make up the vast majority of bankruptcy filings:

 

To help addresss the need for bankruptcy representation, we will be holding focused legal clinics that will provide information as well as screening for representation three times a year: July, October and February. 

 

People who are seriously considering bankruptcy will meet with attorneys from the Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association and/or the CDWBA for approximately ½ hour.  Clients will be asked to bring their financial information with them and will be required to complete paperwork that will allow an analysis of their financial situations. If legal representation is needed, the client’s income level and the type of representation will determine if services will be pro bono or at a reduced fee. 

 

The first clinic will be held on Saturday, July 22^nd at The Legal Project’s office in Executive Park. 

Please call Diane Metz (435-1770) to learn more about this program, to volunteer for this or a future session, or to join the Bankruptcy & Credit Pro Bono Panel.

 

Special Thanks to Paula Barbaruolo who is leading this effort on behalf of the Bankruptcy Bar!!

 

Affordable Housing News (ahaa!)

Affordable Housing agencies use various combinations of funding mechanisms to make home purchases possible for low and moderate income people.  Each package comes with its own set of rules and strings attached.  The Legal Project is planning a brief training session this summer to familiarize volunteer attorneys with the different grant and financing programs that clients may use to purchase a home.

 

Anne Reynolds Copps has volunteered as a trainer and the following attorneys have already joined the AHAA panel:

            Maria Colavito

                        Michelle Klinkbeil

            Janet Kaplan

                        Lisa Proskin

            Lorraine Tharp

           

If you know how to do a closing, call today to join the panel and help someone to realize the American Dream.

 

You can make a real difference

in someone’s life. 

 

The Legal Project offers:  Free malpractice insurance coverage; free training and CLE; use of its Executive Park office to meet with clients; a chance to win Awards (see above) feel good and help people.

 

Welcome to the Board!

Anne J. Binseel, Esq.

NYS Department of Civil Service

 

Welcome to the Honorary Board

The Hon. Robert E. Littlefield, Jr.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District

 

LAW FIRM SUPPORT

It is only through the partnership of private law firms and pro bono programs like ours that we can hope to successfully ensure that the working poor, victims of domestic violence and other underserved people can have access to legal services in a cost effective manner.  We thank you for your support.

 

Legal Project Partners

     Maynard, O’Connor, Smith & Catalinotto

     McNamee, Lochner, Titus & Williams, PC

     Cooper, Erving, Savage, Nolan & Heller, LLP

           

Legal Project Friends

     D’Agostino, Hoblock, Flannery & Jeram, PC

     DeLorenzo, Pasquariello & Weiskopf, PC

     Gordon Seigel, Mastro, Mullaney, et. al.

     Maxwell & Van Ryn

     Orlando & Barbaruolo

     Nixon Peabody LLP

     The Proskin Law Firm

     Rosenblum, Ronan, Kessler & Sarachan, LLP

     Tabner, Ryan and Keniry

     Thorn & Gershon

    

It’s not too late – if you don’t see your law firm listed, encourage them to contribute today!

 

BANK SPONSORS

The Legal Project is pleased to announce that Evergreen bank, Key Bank and the Cohoes Savings Bank Foundation have joined Fleet Bank in underwriting the costs associated with the development of the Affordable Housing Attorney Assistance program. 

 

INDIVIDUAL GIVING

Your generous donations of time and money make our work possible.  For those of you offering your pro bono services through our programs and/or making financial contributions, we thank you.  The Legal Project will serve over 1,000 people this year -- we could not accomplish this without your help.

• • • •

to the following attorneys and coordinators for their participation in legal Clinics:

YWCA of Schenectady                                                                                              

Pamela McDevitt, Attorney Coordinator               
Penni Troy, YWCA Staff Coordinator
Camille Siano Enders              
Margaret Vella

Unity House Street Ministry

Nancy Harding, Attorney Coordinator
Diane Metz, Paralegal Coordinator

Julie Friedman
Ron Orlando

Joseph Orzechowski

 

Trinity Institute

Meredith Savitt, Attorney Coordinator

Sandra Obieto, Paralegal Coordinator

Gayle Hartz

Michael Weisberg

Paul Whitaker

Margaret Vella

Albany County Mental Health

Kristen King, Attorney Coordinator

Timothy Lavery
Anita Thayer
Vicki Walter

 

The Women’s Building
Sandra Obiedo, Paralegal Coordinator

Susan Beaudoin

Paula Barbaruolo
Gayle Hartz
Steve Prudente
Deb Sheehan

• • • •

Telephone: 435-1770

e-mail: info@legalproject.org