Often desperate for help when they arrive at the Seventh Judicial District Court Help Center on the 5th floor of Rochester’s Hall of Justice, many find a bit of hope through attorney volunteers. The seemingly insurmountable problems weighing down area residents when they arrive at the Court Help Center include:
- Two sisters, mourning the loss of their mother, are trying to find out how to access mom’s bank account to pay bills associated with her home. They have no idea how to begin the probate
- A woman is seeking an uncontested divorce since her husband refuses to appear in court, but they don’t agree on the divorce terms. She is afraid of her husband and anxious to terminate
- Two sisters, mourning the loss of their mother, are trying to find out how to access mom’s bank account to pay bills associated with her home. They have no idea how to begin the probate.
- A woman is seeking an uncontested divorce since her husband refuses to appear in court, but they don’t agree on the divorce terms. She is afraid of her husband and anxious to terminate.
- A man discovers he is locked out of his apartment and all his personal property has been moved to the curb. Some of it is missing and he doesn’t know what to do.
All of these people are unfamiliar with the legal system and cannot afford to hire an attorney. You can see their frustration and feel their fear. Some of them may have limited reading and/or computer skills.
Some may have language barriers. All are at the mercy of others to find pathways to resolve their
individual situation.
“While we don’t give people legal advice at the Help Center, we can be a collaborator in how to solve
their problem, Gail Norris (University of Rochester) shared when asked about her service at the Help Center. “Often the unrepresented litigants leave with a couple of options regarding whom to call or what papers and next steps are needed.”
“I have been an in-house lawyer practicing business law for more than 15 years, so I am rusty on legal issues these unrepresented litigants face. But I know how to network and use resources to find out answers. And I feel that doing so fulfills my ethical obligation to provide legal support for those who need it but can’t afford it,” Norris added.
The Help Center is open 22 hours a week. There are 2-hour morning shifts to fill five days a week, and 1.5-hour afternoon shifts Monday-Thursday, plus a 3-hour window on Friday afternoons at the Rundel Building of the Rochester Central Library.
“A VLSP staff member, or court staff will be present during the volunteer’s shift, so all volunteers can feel confident that they have resources to help the unrepresented litigants,” noted Scott MacPherson, VLSP staff attorney who oversees the Court Help Center. Scott can be reached at 585-295- 5712 or smacpherson@vlsprochester.org.
Sanjeev Devabhakthuni (Barclay Damon) typically takes two shifts per month. “I am reminded after every shift at the Court Help Center how important it is to provide access to our legal system to those who cannot afford it,” Devabhakthuni said.
