Access Justice Brooklyn Inc

PRACTICAL REALIZATION OF JUSTICE FOR THE POOR

CONSUMER DEBT PROGRAM: IN THE PAST YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 430 CASES IN CONSUMER DEBT WERE CLOSED, ASSISTING 917 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION IS OFTEN CHOSEN AS A LAST RESORT BY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING INSURMOUNTABLE DEBT AFTER TRYING TO COPE WITH JOB LOSS, A FAMILY CRISIS, OR SERIOUS MEDICAL PROBLEMS. THE BROOKLYN BAR ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEER LAWYERS PROJECT (VLP) ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED TO RE-ORDER THEIR FINANCES, AND WHO FALL UNDER 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES, BY DRAFTING BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS AND BY REPRESENTING THEM IN CHAPTER 7 PROCEEDINGS IN THE UNITED STATE BANKRUPTCY COURT, EASTER DISTRICT OF NEW YORK. THE VLP ALSO RUNS SEVERAL CLINICS TO ASSIST UNREPRESENTED DEBTORS. THE CIVIL LEGAL ADVICE AND RESOURCE OFFICE (CLARO) IS A FREE, WEEKLY WALK-IN CLINIC AT KINGS COUNTY CIVIL COURT WHERE CONSUMERS CAN OBTAIN FREE INFORMATION ABOUT DEBT COLLECTION. IN ADDITION, THROUGH THE CONSUMER DEBT VOLUNTEER LAWYER FOR A DAY (VLFD) ACCESS TO JUSTICE PROGRAM, A VLP STAFF ATTORNEY IS PRESENT FOUR DAYS A WEEK IN KINGS COUNTY CIVIL COURT WORKING WITH VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS, LAW GRADUATES AND LAW STUDENTS TO PROVIDE LIMITED SCOPE DIRECT REPRESENTATION TO PRO SE LITIGANTS IN CONSUMER DEBT ACTIONS.

FAMILY LAW PROGRAM: IN THE PAST YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 365 FAMILY LAW CASES WERE CLOSED, ASSISTING 769 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. THE VLP ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS BY OFFERING LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN FAMILY COURT MATTERS. VLP STAFF AND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS REPRESENT CLIENTS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES BY APPEARING WITH THEM IN COURT AND/OR OFFERING ADVICE AND COUNSEL. THROUGH THE VLP'S CHILD AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT PRACTICE, THE VLP ASSISTS BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS TO ENSURE FAIRNESS AND EQUITY IN SUPPORT ORDERS GRANTED BY THE KINGS COUNTY FAMILY COURT. THE VLP ALSO HAS AN ACTIVE SELF-REPRESENTED UNCONTESTED DIVORCE PROGRAM THAT ASSISTS MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE LIVES ARE IN CRISIS OR AT A STANDSTILL BECAUSE OF A BROKEN MARRIAGE, OR BECAUSE THEY WERE ABANDONED OR ARE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND/OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE. AS THE UNCONTESTED DIVORCE PROCESS CAN BE OVERWHELMING, VLP VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT BY HELPING PRO SE PETITIONERS COMPLETE THEIR DIVORCE.

FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION PROGRAM: IN THE PAST YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 443 FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION CASES WERE CLOSED, ASSISTING 1,412 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. THOUSANDS OF NEW YORKERS ARE AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOMES AND NEED ATTORNEYS TO HELP NAVIGATE THE DIFFICULT FORECLOSURE PROCESS. VLP VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS REPRESENT INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRETY OF THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS, INCLUDING FORECLOSURE MOTION PRACTICE, BAD FAITH HEARINGS, FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LITIGATION, AND SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES IN KINGS COUNTY SUPREME COURT. THE VLP'S FORECLOSURE PRACTICE ALSO INCLUDES A CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY PROGRAM TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OPTIONS AND ASSISTANCE FOR FORECLOSURE CLIENTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE VLP RUNS SEVERAL FORECLOSURE CLINICS A WEEK, INCLUDING THE FORECLOSURE LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP (FLAG) IN KINGS COUNTY SUPREME COURT, OPEN EVERY MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY, AND THE SUPREME COURT FORECLOSURE CLINIC ON FRIDAY MORNINGS. IN ADDITION, THE VLP LAUNCHED A NEW PROGRAM WITH THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE TRIALS AND HEARINGS (OATH) WHERE VLP VOLUNTEERS ASSIST HOMEOWNERS IN NYC DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING VIOLATION PROCEEDINGS.

DIRECT SERVICES - THE VLP PROVIDES DIRECT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH TO LOW-INCOME BROOKLYN RESIDENTS, ASSISTING THEM TO OVERCOME LEGAL CHALLENGES TO THEIR HEALTH AND SECURITY, INCLUDING FAMILY BREAKDOWNS, THREATENED HOMELESSNESS, DEVASTATING DEBT, IMMIGRATION STATUS, AND ONGOING PREDATORY PRACTICES THAT OVERWHELMINGLY TARGET THE POOR, THE ELDERLY, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. BY ARMING CLIENTS WITH LEGAL INFORMATION AND REPRESENTATION, THE VLP LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD AND ENSURES SUCCESS IN COURT, STABILIZING LIVES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN AND STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. THE VLP PROVIDES DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES INCLUDING REPRESENTATION, ADVICE AND COUNSEL, AND BRIEF SERVICES IN FAMILY LAW, FORECLOSURE PREVENTION, CONSUMER DEBT, BANKRUPTCY, ELDER LAW, TRUSTS AND ESTATES, AND IMMIGRATION. DUE TO COURT CLOSURES BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, MANY OF THE VLP'S PROGRAMS WERE SUSPENDED ENTIRELY OR MODIFIED TO A VIRTUAL FORMAT, WHICH LIMITED THE NUMBER OF NEW MATTERS HANDLED.ELDER LAW, IMMIGRATION AND MISCELLANEOUS: IN THE PAST YEAR, THE VLP CLOSED 39 MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS SUCH AS WILLS AND PROBATE AFFECTING 74 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. THE VLP PARTNERS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE CRITICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMMIGRANTS AND OTHER FOREIGN-BORN NEW YORKERS. THIS INCLUDES ASSISTING PARENTS WITH EMERGENCY PLANNING IN THE EVENT THEY ARE DETAINED OR DEPORTED, HELPING INDIVIDUALS COMPLETE NATURALIZATION PAPERS TO APPLY FOR U.S. CITIZENSHIP, AND ORGANIZING TRAININGS ON IMMIGRATION LAW FOR VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS.VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS PREPARE AND EXECUTE LAST WILLS AND TESTAMENTS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY FOR QUALIFYING LOW-INCOME CLIENTS. TESTAMENTARY SUBSTITUTES ARE ALSO EXPLORED AND DISCUSSED. THROUGH NATIONAL GRID FOUNDATION SENIOR LEGAL EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (NGF SENIOR LEAP), VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS PRESENT ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS AT SENIOR CENTERS, CHURCHES, TEMPLES, AND OTHER VENUES THROUGHOUT BROOKLYN TO EDUCATE SENIORS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVES, STRATEGIES FOR STAYING AT HOME AND AGING IN PLACE, BENEFITS, FINANCIAL ADVANCE DIRECTIVES, THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF MEDICAID, AND SCAMS TARGETING THE ELDERLY.IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS, THE VLP LAUNCHED THE COVID-19 FRONTLINE WORKERS INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE LIFE PLANNING SERVICES TO 1199SEIU HEALTHCARE WORKERS EAST MEMBERS AND A PROBATE PROJECT TO SERVE FAMILY MEMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19 LEAVING A SMALL ESTATE OF $50,000 OR LESS.THE VLP LEVERAGES THE TALENTS OF THE PRIVATE BAR BY RECRUITING, TRAINING AND ACTIVELY SUPERVISING VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND LAW STUDENTS TO PROVIDE PRO BONO REPRESENTATION, ADVICE, BRIEF LEGAL SERVICES AT COURTHOUSE CLINICS AND IN-OFFICE CLINICS, DAILY ADVICE AND COUNSEL, AND COMMUNITY LEGAL PRESENTATIONS. VLP'S VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED 5,004 HOURS OF HIGH QUALITY, COMPASSIONATE DIRECT LEGAL REPRESENTATION, ADVICE AND COUNSEL AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION THROUGHOUT BROOKLYN.DURING THE PAST YEAR, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF PRO BONO ATTORNEYS AND LAW STUDENTS, THE VLP PROVIDED DIRECT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES ON 1,277 MATTERS AFFECTING 3,172 BROOKLYN INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AND PRO SE ASSISTANCE IN MATTERS THAT BENEFIT BASIC RIGHTS AND NECESSITIES TO A TOTAL OF 2,175 PEOPLE.THE VLP OBTAINED $283,609 IN CHILD SUPPORT ARREARS AND $8,878 IN MONTHLY CHILD SUPPORT BENEFITS; OBTAINED $17,840 BY SETTLING SMALL ESTATES; SAVED CLIENTS $97,716 IN CONSUMER DEBT MATTERS; SAVED CLIENTS $1,052,780 IN BANKRUPTCY; SAVED CLIENTS $1,642 IN MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS; SAVED CLIENTS $131,050 IN FINES AND PENALTIES IN OFFICE OF TRIALS AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING (OATH) NYC DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS MATTERS; AND SAVED $19,765 IN COURT FILING FEES.LEGAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: AS AN IMPORTANT ADJUNCT TO ONE-ON-ONE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, THE VLP IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN SEVERAL COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES, WITH THE GOAL OF EARLY INTERVENTION AND THE PROVISION OF PROTECTIVE AND PREVENTIVE LEGAL INFORMATION. THE VLP HAS DEVELOPED A STRONG PRESENCE IN THE BROOKLYN COMMUNITY AS A SOURCE OF ESSENTIAL LEGAL INFORMATION AND REFERRALS THROUGH SENIOR LEAP PROGRAMMING IN SENIOR CENTERS THROUGHOUT BROOKLYN AND COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS (NOW VIRTUAL) ON FORECLOSURE PREVENTION, REVERSE MORTGAGES, AND MORTGAGE AND DEED THEFT SCAMS, FINANCIAL LITERACY AND CONSUMER DEBT HELD THROUGHOUT THE BOROUGH.WITH COURTHOUSE CLINICS AND SENIOR CENTERS CLOSURES DUE TO COVID-19, THE VLP OFFERED COMMUNITY OUTREACH PRESENTATIONS VIRTUALLY WITH PARTNERING AGENCIES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS TO REACH 2,120 PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES. THE VLP CONDUCTED A WIDE VARIETY OF VIRTUAL COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN BROOKLYN, FOCUSED ON VULNERABLE POPULATIONS LIKE THE ELDERLY, TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS ABOUT WILLS, ADVANCE DIRECTIVES, FORECLOSURE, CONSUMER DEBT, AND CHALLENGES RELATED TO AGING IN PLACE DUE TO THE RISING COSTS OF HOME OWNERSHIP. THE VLP PROVIDED REFERRALS TO 2,338 INDIVIDUALS.CRITICAL TO VLP'S MODEL OF PRO BONO CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES IS THE DESIGN AND PRESENTATION OF EXPERT CLE TRAINING PROGRAMS IN SUBSTANTIVE AREAS TO PREPARE BOTH NEW AND REPEAT VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE CRITICAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO BROOKLYN'S MOST VULNERABLE AND UNDERSERVED RESIDENTS. IN EACH ESTABLISHED AND EMERGENT PRACTICE AREA, THE VLP RECRUITS ATTORNEYS FROM THE PRIVATE BAR, PROVIDING THEM WITH TARGETED CLE PROGRAMS, FREE CLE TRAINING CREDITS, AND PRO BONO CLE CREDITS. ONCE THEY TAKE ON MATTERS FOR REPRESENTATION, THE VLP STAFF PROVIDES INTENSIVE MENTORING, SUPERVISION, AND SUPPORT UNTIL THE MATTERS ARE CLOSED. IN THIS MODEL, THE VLP USES PANELS OF EXPERTS IN EACH VLP PRACTICE AREA, WHO MENTOR AND SUPPORT THE PRO BONO ATTORNEY THROUGHOUT THE REPRESENTATION. IN THE PAST YEAR, THE VLP CONDUCTED 10 CLE TRAININGS FOR 588 VOLUNTEERS.