This month VLSP highlights the dedicated volunteers at the Tenant Town and Village Court Pro Bono Program. The program was established by VLSP in 2016 to provide representation for low income tenants facing evictions and is generously funded by
The New York Bar Foundation. Court attorneys from the Appellate Division Fourth Department staff the program and appear twice a month at night court. There is always at least one VLSP staff attorney and a staff paralegal or a non-attorney volunteer present to handle intake. The scope of the service is limited to one court
appearance, but volunteers can opt to provide extended representation. In addition to evaluating any potential defenses, pro bono attorneys at the program negotiate settlements for additional time to make payments on rent arrears to allow client to remain in their home or give them much needed time to relocate.
The volunteers were recently honored by the New York State Bar Association with its 2018 President’s Pro Bono Service Award for their efforts. Well deserved recognition! Since its inception, the program has helped 260 litigants and the attorneys have collectively donated 450 pro bono hours, not including extended representation hours. The champions of the court’s involvement include: Presiding Justice Gerald J. Whalen, Penfield Town Justice James Mulley, Alan Ross, Deputy Clerk of the Fourth Department, and Linda Kostin, Assistant Director of the Attorney for Children Program. Justice Whalen and Judge Mulley recognized the necessity of counsel when faced with homelessness and led the effort to organize the program. VLSP, along with Ross and Kostin, work together to supervise the schedules, ensure there are enough court attorneys for each docket, and collaborate on training the volunteer panel.
Thank you to all of the volunteers who have made the Tenant Town Court Program a success!
Tenant Town Court Volunteer Honor Roll for 2018
- Gregory Berry
- Dan Brennan
- Andrew Dean
- Joe Dinolfo
- Mike Furlano
- Maria Gaige
- Kristin Henderson
- Linda Kostin
- Daniel Lei
- Adam Oshrin
- Matthew Paris
- Mike Paul
- John Ryan
- Erin Sanger
- Erin Skinner
- Mike Tuohey
- Tara Ward
- Kristin Warner
- Gabriela Wolfe
funded by The New York Bar Foundation