 |
The
Legal Project, Inc.
Pro Bono Corner
Wendy Durand, Executive Director |
Human Services Program
of
the Year (2000)
The Council of Community Services named The Legal Project as the Capital Region’s Human Services Program of the Year. This
Community Builders Award recognizes one program annually that “addresses unmet
needs”, involves successful collaborations with other human services agencies
and “has made substantial contributions toward making our region a better place
to live.”
Other Year 2000 Awards:
NYS
Bar Association
President’s Pro Bono
Service Award
2000 NYSBA President’s Pro bono Service Award for the Third Judicial
District was awarded to Jo M.
Katz for her active participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs. Ms. Katz serves as a
volunteer member, mentor and trainer for the Domestic Violence Legal Connection
pro bono panel.
. . .
WBASNY Outstanding
New Lawyer
The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York
awarded the 2000 Outstanding New Lawyer
Award to
Camille Siano Enders in recognition of her participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs
and her work with the Capital District Women’s Bar Association.
. . .
Woman of Achievement
2000 Woman of Achievement
Award was presented to Wendy Durand,
The Legal Project’s Executive Director, by the YWCA of Schenectady. The award is given to recognize unusual
achievement and distinction in a woman’s career that has had a positive impact
on her local community, helped women, and contributed toward the elimination of
discrimination. Ms. Durand’s work in
the development and expansion of The Legal Project’s programs, serving
victims of domestic violence and other underserved people, was a primary factor
in her selection.
Do you practice Real Estate Law
& wonder how you can help?
AHAA!!
We have the answer and hope we
can
count on you!
Affordable
Housing Attorney Assistance
The Legal Project is about to
launch its newest program to help working families!
There are several non-profit organizations in the
Capitatl District whose mission it is to help low and moderate income
individuals and families to obtain affordable housing. Sometimes this is done through grant
programs, sometimes through “savings” accounts where banks match clients
savings towards downpayments and other times through special reduced rate
mortgage programs.
Over
the last year, we have repeatedly received requests to provide attorneys for
legal representation for closings and other matters related to affordable
housing purchases and home ownership.
Clients
served by affordable housing programs have average incomes that prohibit the
hiring of a private attorney, while at the same time legal representation from
programs for the indigent is not available.
In fact, there is a vast difference in the ability of the average
citizen versus those served by affordable housing programs to successfully
obtain legal representation.
The Affordable Housing Partnership in Albany, Troy
Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (TRIP) in Troy, and Better
Neighborhoods, Inc. in Schenectady -- key organizations in the counties that The
Legal Project serves – have each indicated to us that they have clients who
desperately need these services.
Several
concerns expressed by affordable housing programs include: 1) clients often
don’t understand the legal responsibilities that grant and other assistance
programs impose upon them, 2) clients often don’t understand the documents
being signed at a closing, and 3) in their enthusiasm to obtain affordable
housing, clients do not pay enough attention to the legal aspects of the
purchase. As a result, these new
homeowners are at greater risk of subsequently losing their homes through
foreclosure.
We
are seeking your assistance to help us address these concerns by offering pro bono and reduced fee legal
representation.
We
are currently developing an Affordable Housing Attorney Assistance panel
(AHAA!). The program will be modeled after The Legal Project’s award
winning Domestic Violence Legal Connection.
The Legal Project will conduct interviews with callers to the
program to assess their legal needs, their financial status and their
involvement with an affordable housing program. Once qualified, AHAA will match low and moderate income
participants with attorneys like you willing to provide pro bono legal
and reduced rate representation for real estate closings.
Training
will to offered to all AHAA attorneys to better understand the different
grant and matching savings programs and client obligations under these
programs.
. . .
Coming
this summer:
Bankruptcy
& Credit Program
In partnership with the
Capital Region Bankruptcy
Bar Association
Tune in Next Month for more
information!!
. . .
You can make a
real difference
in
someone’s life.
Want to find out more?
Call
Diane Metz
435-1770
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.
FLEET BANK SPONSORSHIP
The Legal Project is pleased to announce that Fleet
Bank will underwrite some of the costs associated with the development of the Affordable
Housing Attorney Assistance program.
Their immediate gift is intended to assist us in getting our project underway as quickly as possible and to
encourage a broad partnership from the financial, legal and corporate
communities for this much needed program.
If you work for a law firm
or a corporation that has a corporate giving program, we’d appreciate it if
you’d ask your employer to help too.
. . .
THANK YOU !
Domestic Violence Legal Connection
Attorneys for taking a new case:
Sue Adler
Ian Arcus
Michael Friedman (2)
Suzanne Harrington
Judy Norrish
Susan Pattenaude
Camille Siano Enders
Cynthia Southard
Vicky Walter
• • • •
THANK YOU !
to the following attorneys for
Legally Speaking to a community group!
Maria Colavito
Anne Reynolds Copps
Kent Sprotbery
• • • •
LEGAL
CLINIC SCHEDULES
Jun
7 YWCA of Schenectady
Jun
7 Unity House Street
Ministry (Troy)
Jun
8 Urban League (Albany)
Jun 14 Albany
County Mental Health Center
Jun
22
The Women’s Building (Albany)