REPORTIMPACT2021
Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes,
Vice President
Victor Mazzotti, Esq., President
Jasmine Ceniceros
Susan Christopher David Cost, Esq.
Lloyd G. Grandy II, Esq.
Thomas R. Adams, Esq.
Katherine Mastaitis, Esq.
Sanjeeve Desoyza, Esq.
Mark Schneider, Esq.
James E.
2021 Board of Directors
Fitzsimmons
CASES1,709CLOSEDINVOLVINGDOMESTICVIOLENCECASES392INVOLVEDU.S.VETERANS 21,816PEOPLEBENEFITED EXTENDED1,110SERVICECASESCLOSED10,599CASESHANDLED 72.5%OFOURCLIENTSAREFEMALE
& Mills, P.C.
Julie Garcia, Esq.
M. MOY 2021
Rosemarie Perez-Jaquith
Todd Tigewell, Esq.
Vicki J. Prager, Esq.
Elizabeth Dias
Benjamin Fishman, 2nd
Hacker, Esq., Treasurer E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy
Martin,
Esq., Secretary
Executive LILLIAN In review
Lisa Mills,
James Fleury
Over the last 27 years I have had occasion, annually, to consider the impact, the change, and the mark Legal Aid leaves on our neighborhoods and communities. Reading over the stories of our clients, seeing the statistics that evidence the needs of our low-income communities, and considering the number of people we were able to help during year 2 of the pandemic - I was impressed and I hope you are too. In these last two years, it has been more challenging than ever to stay the course, to keep our clients’ needs in our line of vision at all times. The challenges of our work and the intense needs of our clients have been coupled with our own fears and uncertainty during this time. I’m deeply appreciative that my colleagues and LASNNY’s pro bono volunteers have helped so many clients - the homeowners, the domestic violence victims, the disabled - as these stories demonstrate. Our services and the impact we have achieved is the thread that unites our many geographies, clients, and community partners. I hope when you review these stories you will also be impressed and moved by our impact, and that you will once again, rise to the occasion and help us to serve more, and to serve more deeply, to have even greater impact in northeastern New York.
Vincent L. Valenza, Esq.
Morgan Ruthman, Esq.
Harding & Mazzotti, LLP
Karla W. Buettner, Esq., 1st Vice President Bartlett, P.C.
833.628.0087ILASNNY.ORG2
It is one of the joys of my life to have had a small role in creating impact like this.
Director
LASNNY ACROSS THE REGION 3REPORTIMPACT2021ALBANY SIMPLE WILLS The City of Albany & LASNNY collaborate to assist seniors in taking action to protect their property. www.lasnny.org/AlbWills NYS ERAP Priority applicants finding trouble applying to rent aid site News Channel 10 www.lasnny.org/2021ERAP EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS LASNNY welcomes Equal Justice Works 2021 Fellow Symone Wango www.lasnny.org/2021EJWST.CLARE’S HOSPITAL Joint Motion filed in St. Clare’s pension case News Channel 10 www.lasnny.org/2021StClares UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS Assisting individuals with UIB claims News Channel 10 www.lasnny.org/2021UIB NEW YORK’S EVICTION MORATORIUM LASNNY Managing Attorney Tara Glynn answers questions about out the NY Eviction Ban North Country NPR www.lasnny.org/2021NCPR RENTAL ASSISTANCE ERAP trickling in for St. LawrenceCountyNNY360 FOODwww.lasnny.org/2021STL-ERAPINSECURITYFORUM Providing information in Clinton County on services that can help fight food insecurity. w ww.lasnny.org/2021ClintonFood
HOMEOWNER PROTECTION PROGRAM (HOPP) STATS:
51, is a veteran. A violent car accident while deployed in Panama left him with PTSD, a diagnosis he received later in his life, at the height of foreclosure on his home. Reeling from this newly diagnosed and incapacitating disability, Ramon was in a seemingly inescapable hole.
1 in 10 homeowners behind on mortgage paymentsNearly 1 out of every 10 homeowners with a mortgage were behind on their payments in November, and that number will likely continue to grow with record-high unemployment in New York State.
Ramon’s principal increased but his payments went down by about $130, a payment that’s manageable with his Social Security Disability benefits. He lives alone now, and his two daughters and granddaughters happily visit Ramon in his home.
PREVENTING FOECLOSURE
223 FORECLOSURE PREVENTION CASES HANDLED IN 2021 BY LASNNY
At the end of 2020, nearly 12% of all New York homeowners were delinquent on their mortgage, three times as many as there were during the worst point of the Great Recession.
That’s when a friend referred him to the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York. “When I reached out to Legal Aid to try to figure out if there was any way they could help me with the foreclosure, that’s when they recommended my attorney,” Ramon says. “From there he took care of everything and got me on LASNNYtrack.”connected
The foreclosure racialofNewdisproportionatelycrisisaffectedYork’scommunitiescolorandincreasedthewealthgap, and the coronavirus pandemic has followed that trend.
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On average, WhitebethanhomeownersBlackaremoretwiceaslikelytodelinquentthanhomeownerssince September 2020. Statewide, 43% of clients served by our network partners are homeowners of color.
Born and raised in New York City, Ramon Ramirez made the move to Amsterdam in 2008. But shortly after he bought a house, he began to have trouble with his partner. When they split, trouble turned to Ramon,crisis.
Ramon with two attorneys: Mike Telfer, who helped Ramon increase his disability benefits, and Stuart Thalblum, a staff attorney who helped Ramon navigate his mortgage foreclosure and explore his options.
Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) is a network of 88 nonprofit partners & is funded by the NYS Attorney General’s office
“We submitted an application for modification, which actually was denied,” Thalblum says. “So I went to the court attorney and said that this is totally unfair, especially given that Ramon seemed to have adequate income to qualify. So the court attorney gave us the opportunity to make a second application, which we did and in fairly short order he received a permanent modification offer.”
RAMON RAMIREZ
LASNNY Attorney Stuart Thalblum & Ramon Ramirez
“My attorney was really on it, he was who I needed in my corner.”
5REPORTIMPACT2021
“The LASNNY team helped me establish a foundation for me and my family,” she said. “They didn’t give up and fought for me throughout a long process and I’m thankful that I was referred to their services.”
Paula was determined to prove her case and receive the disability and social security benefits that she was rightfully owed. She knew she qualified for these benefits and appealed multiple times, but each appeal was denied. She even resubmitted her application in February of 2010, but her application was denied a few short months later. While she waited for results, Paula continued to work despite her painful and crippling disability.
“We’ve been working with her for almost ten years, or more than that,” William Holland said. “She had multiple hearings and two federal court cases to eventually be approved. Not only that, LASNNY stuck with her - between four of five lawyers and all of the support staff - to eventually win. Paula deserves a lot of credit for sticking with it too, because she easily could’ve given up.”
833.628.0087ILASNNY.ORG6
Paula worked with Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York attorneys to secure benefits after a decade of denials.
While multiple attorneys worked on her appeal over the years, William Holland, Esq. negotiated her federal court remand. An Administrative Law Judge then issued a decision finding that Paula had been legally disabled since October of 2008. Her original application was finally approved, securing over a decade of disability and social security benefits.
Years passed and Paula was frustrated after submitting several applications and appeals that were denied. She understood that she needed professional assistance to secure her benefits, but she couldn’t afford an attorney. She started to lose hope, until she consulted with attorneys at the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY). Ultimately, the attorneys at LASNNY took her case to federal court.
disability advocacy program (DAP)
CLIENT RECOVERS TEN YEARS OF DISABILITY BENEFITS WITH LASNNY’S HELP
Paula worked for years to support her family and get them whatever they needed. She paid into the disability system without a thought, and never looked back – until she was faced with an accident that left her permanently disabled and unable to work on October 25, 2008. She, just like many others, applied to receive social security and disability benefits that she paid into while working. But to Paula’s dismay, her application was denied.
Since then, Paula has received her rightfully earned benefits and maintained her quality of life. She’s been able to buy her home and take care of some lingering financial obligations. Paula is especially grateful for William and the rest of the LASNNY staff, who worked tirelessly to help her after multiple denials. While recovering from COVID-19 Paula offered these brief, but very powerful words.
LASNNY &
Paula
“The LASNNY team helped me establish a foundation for me and my family. didn’t give up and fought for me throughout a long process.”
They
7REPORTIMPACT2021ONDAYS721LASNNYDAPCASESWEREOPENAVERAGEIN2021 3 CASES WERE CLOSED IN 2021 THAT WERE OPEN FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS HANDLED707CASESIN2021 OBTAINED$1.1MINPASTDUEDISABILITIESBENEFITS70% OF CASES WON IN 2021 DAP BY THE NUMBERS
Attorney Will Holland
LASNNY Attorney David Crossman & Gail Brown
In the meantime, Gail was laid off from her job at Rivers Casino due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and she fell behind in her rent. During this period, Code Enforcement came to the apartment to inspect the property and issue a certificate of occupancy as required by Schenectady Code; this was the first Gail realized that the apartment did not have a certificate of occupancy. Code Enforcement saw the sealed windows and, despite the ongoing eviction moratorium, ordered Gail and her family to leave the property immediately. Gail and her family had to split up; Gail and her partner were forced to pay to stay in a motel. Although the Constitution provides that a person is entitled to notice and a hearing before being deprived of property (including a rented home)—or afterwards in the case of emergency--Gail was never offered a hearing.
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Gail’s Legal Aid attorney, David Crossman, tried to negotiate with the city, both to change its procedure and to help her get back into her house. When this did not work, Mr. Crossman filed a lawsuit in Supreme Court on Gail’s behalf. They asked the court to find that the City had to offer tenants a hearing when ordering them to vacate their homes due to code violations; that the city law which allowed for evictions without hearings was unconstitutional; and also asked to be awarded attorney fees.
Ensuring Protections for Renters in Schenectady County
When the landlord hadn’t done anything about the windows by April, Gail called the Code Enforcement Office and asked them to inspect the apartment. A case was opened, but it was closed without an inspection and without any repairs being made. The landlord finally fixed one of the windows, but none of the others.
In January 2020, Gail Brown moved into an apartment in Schenectady with her partner, her adult son, and her grandchildren. There were a few problems with the apartment, and she let her landlord know about them. One of her main concerns was that some of her windows didn’t work and seemed to be painted shut.
Although Gail is now living in another apartment and reunited with her family, she is very pleased to know that there are protections for other renters in Schenectady and that they will not need to go through an ordeal like hers.
In April 2021, a year after Gail had first asked for the windows to be fixed, the Court found that the city law was unconstitutional because it did not give people the chance for a hearing. It also found that since there were state and federal eviction moratoriums in place when Gail was ordered to leave her home, the city’s actions in ordering her to vacate were against public policy. Finally, the Court found that the Order to Vacate was null and void and could not be enforced, and awarded Legal Aid attorney fees. (The City is currently appealing the decision, but it has passed a new law requiring a hearing for someone who is ordered to vacate by Code Enforcement.)
GAIL BROWN
The case was settled just days before trial. While the father did still maintain physical custody since the child attended school 45 minutes away from the mother’s home, Sarah was able to reestablish her relationship with her daughter with a new custody order that granted her ample parenting time.
Knowing she had dedicated legal representation at her side empowered Sarah to finally file the petitions she had been dreading. Working with an OVS attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York amplified Sarah’s voice and empowered her to always fight for her daughter.
The CPS worker referred Sarah to her local DV program, which then referred Sarah to the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York where she was provided free representation by an attorney.
Sarah went to family court. She filed the custody petition herself. She was assigned a court-appointed attorney –who would catch up on her case in the hallway minutes before they entered the courtroom. The abusive father hired a well-established attorney, and the Court was fed lie after lie characterizing Sarah as a drug addict who had abandoned her child.
Both a custody modification and a violation petition were filed, carefully crafted to put Sarah’s voice at the forefront of these proceedings. The judge, who was new to the case, immediately granted Sarah 2 overnights per week. That weekend Sarah saw her daughter for the first time in two years.
One afternoon, a CPS worker knocked at Sarah’s door. CPS was investigating after an alleged incident where the child’s father had abused his current girlfriend with Sarah’s daughter present. Sarah explained that she did not have any information since she had been denied access for almost two years. Sarah disclosed that she was terrified of the child’s father and feared for her daughter every day, but felt she had no options.
The day I met Sarah it had been three years since she fled an abusive relationship within an inch of her life, and two years since she last saw her daughter. The day Sarah left, the child’s father said “if you leave, you will never see my child again.” He made it clear that Sarah could only see the child if she moved back in, but Sarah knew that would result in more abuse, and maybe her own death. Sarah pled with the po lice to help get her daughter, but they turned a blind eye and said “Sorry, this is a family court matter”.
On the day of trial, Sarah’s attorney was not prepared. Sarah was told she needed to agree to the father’s terms, giving him physical custody of the child, with Sarah receiving a pittance of parenting time. Sarah recalled her attorney saying, “If you don’t agree to this, you might get even less.” She agreed. The Attorney for the Child put an objection on the record, making it clear to the Court that this was not in the best interest of the child.
It was less than a month after the final order was signed that the child’s father began withholding her daughter from seeing Sarah. After nearly a year in court fighting for her daughter, she felt defeated and traumatized. Sarah had nothing left.
Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence
9REPORTIMPACT2021
Two years later Sarah found herself living an entirely different life. She had a good job, a supportive partner, a new baby, and had just bought a house. But as good at things were, the absence of her daughter gnawed at her every day. She knew she had to go back to court, and attempted to file the petitions numerous times, but the thought of facing her abuser in court always rendered her paralyzed.
SARAH
2021 was indeed a busy and transitional year for the PAI Department. I am thankful to the PAI staff, our volunteers, and all LASNNY colleagues who continue to undertake helping those who are so often systemically and legally marginalized within our community. I am grateful for LASNNY’s continued commitment toward ensuring equal access to justice year after year. I look forward to seeing what the future brings.
In response to the growing unemployment, rental, and housing crisis, the PAI Department held trainings dedicated to ensuring our volunteers were up to date with the ever-changing laws surrounding tenant rights, and pandemic related unemployment benefits. In April we virtually held an Understanding Unemployment Benefits in New York State During COVID-19 CLE. During national Celebrate Pro Bono Week in October 2021, we virtually held a Landlord-Tenant Housing Law During COVID-19 – Attorney for the Day training. Additionally, in collaboration with Nixon Peabody, LLP, we virtually held a Judicial Name Changes CLE in February 2021, with a virtual pro se name change clinic held the following month. Several attendees from the Judicial Name Changes CLE volunteered their time at the clinic and assisted clients with filling out the necessary name change documents. In early 2021, the PAI Department announced its collaboration with In Our Own Voices (IOOV), under a grant from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. The focus of the grant is to holistically address the unique legal and social concerns of the BIPOC LGBTQGNC survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault communities through legal education and assistance. Through this partnership and with assistance from our volunteer panel, we held three virtual “Know Your Rights” webinars throughout 2021. In April 2021, we hosted the first event, “Know Your Rights: All About Housing” with staff attorneys and volunteer Erica ‘Nic’ Rangel. In June 2021, we held our second event, “Know Your Rights: Planning with Pride” with volunteer Jon Whalen. In December 2021, we hosted our third event, “Know Your Rights: What’s in a Name” with volunteer Sarah Kempf-Brower. A pro se name change clinic was also scheduled for early 2022 with Sarah.
10833.628.0087ILASNNY.ORG
The PAI Department expanded mid-year, hiring two new colleagues. Vincent Hickman was hired in August 2021 as a part-time PAI secretary, splitting their time between the PAI and HALC Departments. Vince will oversee operations of the Assigned Counsel Program, which is currently closed while we work with the Rensselaer and Albany County Courts to restructure the program. In September 2021, Lia Gifford was hired as our new PAI Coordinator, handling all matters in our department’s general referral program. They have both already proven themselves to be indispensable additions, and I am so excited to have them join the PAI team.
2021 was a busy year for the PAI Department as we navigated the high need for legal assistance within our communities, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the pandemic, numerous businesses made the difficult decision to suspend operations or even close their doors forever, resulting in temporary lay-offs, furloughs, or loss of job completely for many within our community. This reduction or total loss in financial security forced households to fall behind on their rental and other housing payments. Addressing the socioeconomic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic was a high priority for the PAI Department in 2021. I am so thankful to our dedicated panel of volunteers and my colleagues in the PAI Department who met this need for assistance head-on.
I am also delighted to announce that in late 2021, I began curating resources to create a landing page on our website exclusively for our volunteer attorney use. This resource page will include sample forms and templates, relevant statutes and case law, as well as all LASNNY created training materials for the various types of case matters regularly handled by our department volunteers. The resource page is still under construction, but our hope is that once completed, our volunteers will have a quick reference point for materials and relevant law for the cases they assist our clients with.
PAI Director MALLORY GIBSON
On May 3, 2021, the New York State Bar Association awarded three of LASNNY’s volunteer attorneys with the President’s Pro Bono Service Awards. David Pratt received the President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the Fourth Judicial District and Kelly Curro received the President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the Third Judicial District. Joseph Pinto received the President’s Pro Bono Service Award for a Senior Attorney. At the 2021 Holiday Party jointly sponsored by LASNNY, the Legal Project and the Albany County Bar Association, LASNNY recognized PAI volunteer attorneys Jessica Vinson and Tom Keefe, as well as the law firm of Barclay Damon, LLP with Distinguished Service Awards.
Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Program
11REPORTIMPACT2021 PAI VOLUNTEERS Family: IncomeConsumer:655269Housing:94Maint:58Other:97PAICASESHANDLED Private attorneys provide important civil legal services through LASNNY’s PAI (Private Attorney Involvement) Program, which encourages and supports attorneys who offer pro bono services to low-income residents of Northeastern New York. Support for PAI volunteer attorneys includes client and case screening, CLE credits, free training, secondary professional liability insurance and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. Over 75 Hours Joseph Pinto Sarah WilliamRowanLemon 25 - 75 Hours Rebecca Janes Vera MarissaJonJessicaFridaMichaelJohnsonKatzShawgiVinsonWhalenWiley 10 - 25 Hours Ira Bloom J. Michael Boxley Kelly NancyCurroDelain Nicole Helmer Simon Erin MeghanLaurenTinaJanelleMichaelBethErinFredrickSarahHuntingtonKempf-BrowerKorkoszLynchMorssO’ConnorPelliSchiochettiSharkeyWhitton 10 Hours or less Tammy BridgitJustinBrendanMichaelArquetteBasileBaynesBirzonBurke John VanessaLisaJeremyKellySalvatoreThomasJosephDanielMyleahMarcAmyChristianJohnSharonJohnJonathanNathanialCaseyChumleyCohenCromieCouchDebonisDorminDribuschEarringEhrlichFraryHurteauKayKeefeLomantoMikullitzMillardMillsMurphy Steve JohnG.KathyDavidMargaretNedPeterMichaelBreannaRossArtJane-MarieRandyDanaSarmiliEricaLianneNguyenPinchuk‘Nic’RangelSahaSalazarSchaalSchaferSiegalSoltusStaffonToomeyTrimarchiTrombleyVellaWainbergWalterKimballWilliamsWright Listing is of PAI Volunteers from January 2021 through December 2021 PAI VOLUNTEERS 2021 (L to R) 2021 PAI Distinguished Service Awardees: Barclay Damon, LLP (David Cost, Esq.), Jessica Vinson, Esq., & Thomas Keefe, Esq. Litigators and non-litigators Associates and partners Private practice attorneys In-house LawGovernmentcounselattorneysSolopractitionersstudentsandparalegalsAttorneyEmeritus
• Carl E. Touhey
MVP Healthcare • New York Bar Foundation (NYBF)
• Albany County Bar
•
the Greater Capital Region
• Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren, & Washington Counties
• Foundation for
• Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego, & Schoharie Counties
Nutrition Consortium
•
•
• Behavioral Health Services North, Inc.
Foundation
•
Foundation
Works
Hortense and Louis Rubin Community Health Fund
• Albany Law
•
Community
•
•
Mechanicville Area Community Services Center, Inc.
Healthy Alliance IPA
Family Counseling Center of Fulton County, Inc.
(BHSN)
Hunger Solutions New York • Impact Fund • Lifespan of Greater Rochester
• Equal Justice
School
•
SCAP Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) • Schenectady Community Action Program (SCAP) • St. Lawrence Valley Renewal House for Victims of Family Violence, Inc. • Stewarts Shops Holiday Match • Wellspring, Inc. Personnel:EXPENSES Lawyers $ 5,256,775 Non-Lawyers $ 2,097,561 Fringe Benefits $ 2,146,508 Operating: Space & Utilities $ 349,985 Office & Related Expenses $ 345,763 Contract Services $ 568,635 Library $ 90,100 Client Litigation Expenses $ 19,127 Travel & Training $ 36,836 Miscellaneous $ 299,725 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 11,211,015 REVENUE Legal Services Corporation $ 1,952,179 Judiciary Civil Legal Services $ 4,605,075 State, County & City Grants $ 2,738,015 Interest on Lawyers Accounts $ 1,802,848 Other Federal Funds $ 274,059 Individuals, Corporations, & Law Firms $ 453,163 Other Grants $ 832,896 Miscellaneous Income $ 49,619 TOTAL REVENUE $ 12,707,854 12833.628.0087ILASNNY.ORG FINANCIALS 2021 2021 OTHERCORPORATEFOUNDATION,PRIVATE,&FUNDING Based on 2021 Unaudited Financials LASNNY’s 990s are available on Guidestar or by request
FAMILY 25%
CONSUMER DEBT 6%
Includes, but not limited to cases involving: special education concerns including IEP’s and school discipline, Medicare & Medicaid, Juvenile matters, small business assistance, wills and estates, powers of attorney, torts, and licenses. BY AREA OF LAW
INCOME & BENEFITS 20%
202 individuals helped with protecting their rights surrounding immigration or naturalization, mental health, physical disability, criminal record expungement, and civil rights.
593 households assisted with concerns surrounding debt collection, wage garnishments, IRS & NYS tax concerns, and utility problems.
HOUSING FAMILY INCOME & BENEFITS CONSUMER DEBT EMPLOYMENT OTHER INDIVIDUAL
2,601 families striving for stability through protection orders against domestic violence, child custody, divorce, legal name changes, adoption, and guardianships.
OTHER 9%
13REPORTIMPACT2021 BY THE NUMBERS 2021 CASES1,709CLOSEDINVOLVINGDOMESTICVIOLENCE AVERAGE$17,354ANNUALINCOMEOFOURCLIENTSCASES392INVOLVEDU.S.VETERANS 21,816PEOPLEBENEFITED
443 people provided advice, brief service, and referral on job discrimination, wage claims, unemployment insurance benefits, and other employment matters.
EXTENDED1,110SERVICECASESCLOSED
3,668 households assisted who were facing eviction, foreclosure, substandard housing, illegal lockouts, and other housing issues to help prevent homelessness.
10,599CASESHANDLED
CASES
2,119 households in need of income supports such as SNAP, health insurance, veteran benefits, unemployment benefits, Social Security, and disability benefits.
EMPLOYMENT 4%
HOUSING 35%
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS 2%
Edna
$5,000 TO $9,999
Amelia M. Klein CC Michael & Lynette Tucker
SU
JeffreyAnonymous&Martha Baker CC
Stuart KimberlyBrianDavidPeterRobertCohenConway&TerriCoseoCostM.CulnanCummins
EricaJamesWilliamKarenHowardNeilJohnKathleenRichardMarkDonaldKeyesKinsellaL.KoblenzKrugerLabelleLaBodaJr.H.LebowitzA.LevineLipsonLittleLombardoLudwick
Amanda Miller
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CC
CC Chip
Donations & Pledges received in 2021
SU
James MatthewAyers&Mary Beth Babcock
CC Bristow Hardin William Harris John Hon.MarkRobertChristianTheaLeonardHarwickHermanHoethHummel&SandraJaconJacquinotGrant&Rosemarie
Meave Tooher
SU
Joseph Mr.RolandClaudiaAnthonyBrendaCatherineBallBennettBertramBrankmanBraymerCavalier&Mrs.GeorgeB. Ceresia, Jr.
Leslie Thiele & Ken Larsen Marjorie Tsang G. Kimball Williams
CC
KarenInezMichaelHerbertDanielSimeonKevinDamaraWilliamWilliamFeldmanFitzgeraldFosterFredetteGlasheenL.GoldmanGonsiewskiGordonGrecoHaettenschwillerHalaco
George Pond Mark
justice for all annual FUND
Lee RichardPalmateerPine
LewisAnonymousBlackFamily Fund
$1,000 TO $1,999
John Moran
SU Hima
DeidreCarolDorisJeffrySiobhanChristineBevinsBlackmanBlank&PatriciaBrozynaBurnsCarusoneChalkowski
Edward Spain Henda & Sam Strasser
Tim & Carmelina Morrison
Whiteman Benjamin
$500 TO $999 Anonymous (2) John & Mary Ann Allen Joseph & Evalyn Basloe John EricStephenAprilThomasCaseyConnollyDaryananiDorseyFarrell
R. Linn Baker
SU
Cornelius Murray Patrick Seely Amy & William Yates
Jaquith Kathleen Jordan SU Donna Kerwin
Leslie MelissaMichaelBruceNoreenRobertSteinSwidlerVanDorenWagnerWeisbergZambri
David DavidMaryTimothyDavidRichardMichaelPriceRhodes-DeveyRodgersSchwartz&OnatSanchez-SchwartzServiceSnyderSolimeno
Ida VincentPeterRandolphTraschenTreeceTrimarchiValenza
Philip Murphy CC Mary O’Neill
Fiona Farrell Kelly
SU Mary ThomasKathrynFlorenceLynchMastroMcCaryMcDonough
Alita Guida CC Howard & Mary Jack P. Trompeter/MugnoTaraLisaHon.KambeselesGuidoLoyola&HermanLeonardMillsMoffettFamily
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UNDER
M. Connie Cahill M. Sherry Gold E. Stewart Jones & Kimberly Sanger-Jones CC Norma Meacham CC Elisabeth Ruthman
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CC
SU Pam VictoriaAllegraSuzanneKarenJondavidDavisDeLongDiligentDuganEdelmanEsposito
14833.628.0087ILASNNY.ORG
Sanjeeve & Amy DeSoyza McMaster-Evans Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community
Thank you to all of our generous supporters, who in 2020 donated and pledged over $400,000. Together you helped secure basic needs, protected and preserved legal rights, provided equal access to justice, and dignity for our clients.
CC = Capital Campaign I SU = Sustain
Fund SU David BarbaraChristianQuinnSollerSteigerwald
Joseph & Patricia Pinto
CC
$100 TO $499 Anonymous (8)
Lynne RichardAcknerAnderson, Jr. Janet R. Axelrod
John JosephSullivan&Mary Teresi
SU
Melissa & Josh Bennett Glen MandellLindaBrueningClarkCharitable Fund
Mari-Anne Pisarri Peter Racette SU Susan MorganReadRuthman SU
Elizabeth Morss
$10,000 & UP
Anonymous (3) Martin
CC
$2,000 TO $4,999
CC
Robert
DavidRobertErikElaineDeborahAndrewRichardMichaelChristineShyamAmyAmandaEllenJoanKathleenGwendolynDeborahBryanStevenThomasKarenEdwardPatriciaChristinaBarbaraAndrewEllenDeanneGeraldNancyCarolAnthonyMarkJacquelineMarcyJoanneJeremiahHansSusanAllisonChandlerChin-LeongChristopherClugstonCosgroveCrumFloresFosterFreringFurcinitiGatusGiacoppeGinsburgGrimaldiHarrisHealeyHillyardHollindeKahnKaplanKaufmannKeefeKleinLaVigneLiebmanLoveMartensMathewsMcDonaldMcGregorMitz&UmaMohankaNapierskiNovackOfosuOritisO’TooleOwlesPinsonnaultPlattnerPratt
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SU
INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Elisabeth Ruthman
In Memory of James Racette
Adriana Shako Daniel AllisonKristineShannonMargaretMaryRylandJeniferSymoneWendyDrewSusanAnaisMichellePaulRebeccaStuartBenjaminMichaelEileenRebeccaJessicaElizabethSamanthaElkeChristenCee’EnnaMargytSharpSmallSmithSmithSorensenSquadritoStapletonStellerSwinneyTchaoTelferTerryThalblumThomasTigheTrimperVasquezVottisWagnerWahlbergWango-PerkinsWhistonWisemanWithingtonWoodWoodsWrightZaloba
Leslie Thiele and Ken Larsen
list of staff & law clerks
Peter and Mary Coffey John R. Dunne*
David & Kathleen Burke
Patricia Rodriguez & Robert Colborn
Skip & Merri* Meislahn
Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association
The Ruthman Family
15REPORTIMPACT2021
In Honor of Ed Kaplan
Amy Mitz
Arthur and Ronnie Siegel
Phillip Murphy
In Memory of Rex Ruthman
Richard J. Bartlett*
Amelia M. Klein*
The Guardians of Justice are a group of individuals committed to securing justice for future generations through support of the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York’s permanent endowment fund. Please contact Deanne Grimaldi at dgrimaldi@lasnny.org or (518) 689-6336 for more information about including LASNNY in your planned giving through either direct donation or in your estate.
Keith St. John Henda and Samuel Strasser
G. Kimball Williams & Margaret J. Gillis Mary Withington
*deceased
DeFayette Diane VincentMichelePeterKimberlyElizabethJoelRebeccaSusanEllaDeanneErinJasmineKristenTaraLiaMalloryChristianDamaraMaryTrevorVeronicaVictoriaDarleneJeanneDeniseAisatouDeborahDeGroatDeLosaDialloDiaz-RamosDignum-BirchD’OnofrioEspositoFallarinoFlikeFlynnFredetteGarramoneGibsonGiffordGlynnGreenGreenfieldGriffinGrimaldiGrimaldi-JohnsonGriskonisHamborskyHauserHelmerHelmintollerHerneHervieux-OsgoodHickman
In Memory of Hon. Richard Bartlett
In Honor of Mother’s Day
Thomas J. O’Connor
HONOR & MEMORIAL GIFTS THANK YOU TO LASNNY STAFF, ADVOCATES, LAW CLERKS, AND ATTORNEYS FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO ENSURING EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE. Jacqueline Aguilar Amanda Ahrens Daniel JoannaFranciscoDavidEthanMarshallCarmenMadisonBethanyRachelJulieAmyYichuanMichelleElizabethCheriseElizabethWilliamAliciaLeahMandyDayanaLindsayJessicaAmandaDanielleStephanNatikkaAlleyAndersonAnderssonAudetteBakerBarryBaumgartnerBazBeaudinBenedictBergerBergerBlodgettBollersBorthwickBrowneCaiCasiukCasnerCatchenCereoChaseCortesCoulterCrofutCrossmanCruzDavis
Lillian Moy
Charlotte S. Buchanan
Carolyn Hoffmann William Holland Theresa Hotte Charee
CandyRobertJamesMariRachelAnne-MarieKrystalEricaChloeChristopherPaigeLindaRoseCherylYoanaKristinGregoryEmilyStuartKristoferShrutiDanaPabloKerryShamimHullHuqHuybenJimenezJohnsJoshiKasnickiKaufmanKeableKileyKopachKostadinovaLaGrangeLandauLaRueLaRueLeeLichtensteinLudwickMacharieMalakMarcelinMatsuoMcHenryMcNeeMerritt
Darrell JenniferTaraGerryBrendanNoraElanRobertEmmaReginaKristineAjelePeterAnthonyGianniRuchiXiaoxiaoCarlottaAmandaJosephAliDanielleAmeliaBevenLillianSeanMarleneAnthonyDannalizMetcalfMiesesMohenMoralesMoranMoyNedumthakadyNicolettiNoyesNusbaumOrzechowskiPaladinoPalmerPanPatelPresciuttiPrizioRacetteRandolphRobertsRodriguezRomakerRomakerRonenRuggeriSansiveroSchaferSentzSetford
Wendy L. Wahlberg
Deanne Grimaldi
F. Michael Tucker
Above is a who worked with LASNNY
Paul M. Callahan
in 2021
Adam
JeffreyJamesAnonymousB.Ayers&Martha Baker
Tim & Carmelina Morrison
John Sullivan
In Memory of Douglas Wolinsky
Miriam M. Netter*
Karen Halaco
E. Stewart & Kimberly Jones, Jr. Thomas V. Kenney, Jr.
Leonard Hermann
Lillian M. Moy
Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes P.C. Buckley, Mendleson, Criscione and Quinn, P.C. Capezza Hill LLP
BAR ASSOCIATIONS
Saratoga County Bar Association
Couch White, LLP Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC
Hinman Straub P.C. Charitable Fund LaMarche Safranko Law PLLC Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, LLP
Mark A. Schneider Attorney At Law Martin, Harding & Mazzotti, LLP Peter Coffey, Esq. Sherri L. Vertucci, Esq. PC
Breslin Law Group Cannon, Heyman & Weiss, LLP Carlisle Law Firm, P.C. Coffey Law, PLLC Conboy, McKay, Bachman & Kendall, LLP Donnellan Law, PLLC
Law Offices Of Eugene M. Sneeringer, Jr. Lemery Greisler LLC
Marinstein & Marinstein Maynard, O’Connor, Smith & Catalinotto, LLP Meyers & Meyers, LLP
M&K Dignum Insurance Agency, Inc.
OTHER
Community Foundation For The Greater Capital
Goldman Sachs - Matching Grants
Barclay Damon LLP
SUPPORTER
HMA Paving And Contracting Corp.
SEFA - CUNY Campaign
SEFA - United Way Of The Adirondack Region
SEFA - United Way Of The Greater Capital Region
Jean Mahserjian Esq. P.C. Joy M. Smith Attorney At Law PLLC Lavelle & Finn, LLP
The Shartrand Law Firm
justice for all annual campaign
Albany County Bar Association
Dreyer Boyajian
Thorn Gershon Tymann & Bonanni, LLP Vella, Carbone & Associates, LLP
Heslin Rothenberg Farley Mesiti Hodgson Russ LLP
16833.628.0087ILASNNY.ORG 2021 Campaign Co-Chairs: E. Stewart Jones, Jr. and David Cost List of Firm Donors appears in The Annual Business Review Book of Lists, www.lasnny.org, LASNNY newsletter, Annual Impact Report, ACBA Court of Appeals Dinner Program Book and ACBA Newsletter Thanks to our donors who contributed to the 2021 JFA Campaign, improving access to justice for our low income neighbors throughout Northeastern New York A complete list of individual and firm donors is available on line at www.lasnny.org
SILVER
Roemer Wallens Gold & Mineaux LLP Scheiberling, Rogan & Maney Stephanie A White Law PLLC
John F. Maxwell, Attorney At Law
GERegionFoundation - Matching Grants
Slocum, DeAngelus & Associates PC
Lansing Engineering
Schenectady County Bar Association
Rivkin Radler LLP
ABS DirtbustersSolutionsCleaning Solutions
E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy, LLP
CORPORATE
Nixon Peabody LLP
PLATINUM
Law Office Of Vicki J. Prager
The Spinney Group
Farrell Fritz, P.C.
Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
Jonathan P. Harvey Law Firm PLLC
Gordon, Tepper & DeCoursey, LLP Greenberg & Greenberg
Anderson, Moschetti & Taffany, PLLC BarbaruoloAnonymousLaw Firm, P.C. Cabaniss Casey LLP Caffry & MoynihanFlower&Hayner
Attorneys At Law Powhida Cano
Peter K. Frueh, Inc
GOLD
Law Firm Of Alex Dell, PLLC
Primeau Fahey Studios
Stewart’s Shops Corp.
Spada Law Firm Sullivan, Hess & Youngblood, PC Young/Sommer LLC