WHAT'S NEW—Expanding our presence in Queens

what’s new Summer 2008

Expanding our presence in Queens InMotion opens new office in Kew Gardens On-site partner at the New York City Family Justice Center

Spencer Tucker, City Hall Photographer

As part of a citywide coalition to build an ever-stronger community of support for victims of domestic violence, inMotion has joined forces with the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence as an on-site partner at the newly constructed New York City Family Justice Center in Kew Gardens, Queens.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg welcomes visitors to the New York City Family Justice Center ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 15. Front left: Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, District Attorney Richard Brown.

Back left: Cindy Dyer, director, Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice; Joe and Ali Torre, Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation; and Commissioner Yolanda Jimenez, Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence.

I N S I DE T H I S I S S UE

Expanding our presence in Queens • InMotion opens new office in Kew Gardens • On-site partners and services at the NYC Family Justice Center, Queens • Meet our Queens staff • The need in Queens

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Establishes new litigation externship at inMotion

The New York City Family Justice Center opened its doors in Queens on July 21. Within the first week, women from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Guyana, India, the Philippines, Poland and Romania received on-the-spot access to the Center’s free legal and social services.

Fried Frank Fellowship

“Our first client, Maimun, a young mother from Guyana, accomplished in one afternoon what might have otherwise taken weeks,” shares Patricia Telfort, inMotion legal services coordinator. “In just one visit, Maimun received legal advice from inMotion (made possible by being able to access a copy of her criminal order of protection from the District Attorney’s on-site office) and developed a safety plan with a Safe Horizon counselor.”

2008 Annual Photography Auction & Benefit

“Our City has made investigating, prosecuting and preventing all domestic violence crimes a top priority,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Domestic violence creates financial, emotional and, at times, physical scars. By making it as easy as possible for victims and their families to access services, many New Yorkers are given the opportunity to start over again.”

Located near a primary public transportation hub in Kew Gardens, the Center is easily accessible and only a few short steps away from the doors of the Queens County Criminal and Integrated Domestic Violence Courts.

InMotion’s office at the Center is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

One-stop service center for victims of domestic violence In only one visit, it is now possible for a Queens domestic violence survivor to meet with law enforcement, petition for an order of protection, receive legal advice about custody and child support, speak with a trained counselor, receive assistance in accessing emergency shelter, and apply for housing or financial assistance—all while their children play safely in the next room.

No appointments are required to walk into the Center. When a domestic violence survivor arrives, they are immediately paired with a personal advocate who speaks their native language (or who can access the services of an interpreter through Language Line Services, a company that provides immediate, by-phone interpretation in 170 languages). The advocate assesses their situation, shares information about the diverse resources available at the Center and directs them to the services they need. The advocate also arranges appointments on their behalf with on-site service providers—such as inMotion—and provides ongoing case management support as they move forward to rebuild their life.

Protecting Queens abuse victims As an on-site partner at the Center, inMotion will take on some of its most complex civil cases, providing free legal assistance with matrimonial, family and immigration matters. Our services include: • Child support, spousal support, child custody, child visitation and orders of protection in the Queens County Family and Integrated Domestic Violence Courts • Uncontested and contested divorces in Queens County Supreme Court • Violence Against Women Act self-petitions and battered spouse waivers, where a client seeks to obtain legal immigration status without the assistance of her abusive spouse or former spouse continued inside

Corporate practice meets public interest

Letter from the executive director

Our congratulations to Milbank!

NYSBA 2008 President’s Pro Bono Service Award

Upcoming events

Mark your calendars!

For more information about inMotion’s upcoming special events, contact rsvp@inmotiononline.org or call 646.442.1185.

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 The Fine Art of Justice—A photography gallery tour with inMotion Join inMotion and its Board of Directors for a unique evening in Chelsea—a behindthe-scenes tour of four of New York’s most prestigious art galleries.

Participating galleries: Julie Saul Gallery Robert Mann Gallery Yancey Richardson Gallery Yossi Milo Gallery

October 2008 2nd Annual Justice by Chocolate InMotion’s Junior Advisory Board will host a private cocktail party showcasing a celebrated New York City chocolatier. Keep an eye on our web site for more information!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009 2009 Commitment to Justice Awards Walter Reade Theatre at Lincoln Center 165 West 65th Street, NYC

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 Annual Photography Auction and Benefit Waldorf=Astoria 301 Park Avenue, NYC

continued from cover

Meet our Queens staff

• Social work support services including safety planning, crisis management, assistance obtaining emergency shelter or housing, access to public benefits and counseling All women who come to inMotion through the Center will be screened for placement with a pro bono attorney or an on-site litigation extern from one of our participating Corporate Partner law firms. If a client cannot be given a volunteer attorney, our staff will provide free legal advice and prepare the necessary court papers so that she can file her own motion in court. We will also offer referrals to sister legal services providers who may be able to take on her case.

Join us in welcoming our New York City Family Justice Center staff to their new digs in Kew Gardens! InMotion is one of the only on-site legal services providers to debut at the Center with a full-time, multi-lingual staff to serve women living in Queens. Fluencies in our new office include Creole, French, Italian and Spanish.

The grand opening! Pictured left to right: Catherine Douglass, Esq., inMotion executive director; Brad Eric Scheler, Esq., chair, board of directors; Alison Napack Kallman, Esq., board member; Heidi Lee Henderson, Esq., director, legal and social services; and Myron Trepper, senior counsel, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.

About the New York City Family Justice Center Initiative Led by the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, the New York City Family Justice Center Initiative brings together domestic violence prosecutors and service providers in one centralized location so that abuse survivors are able to access the support they need more effectively and efficiently. All services are free and available regardless of sex, age, nationality or sexual orientation. Survivors are able to access services in their native language, while their children receive child care from professionally trained staff.

The New York City Family Justice Center in Kew Gardens is the second domestic violence crisis center to open in the City. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg launched the first Center in downtown Brooklyn in July, 2005. Since that time, the Brooklyn Center has served over 11,000 clients and averages 1,000 client visits per month. InMotion recently joined the Brooklyn Center as an off-site referral partner in June, 2008.

Based on the Brooklyn Center’s success, the City has committed to opening additional centers.

Following Queens, a Bronx center is expected to open by the end of 2009.

On-site partners

New York City Family Justice Center, Queens “Our City and nonprofit partners at the Queens Family Justice Center will represent the diverse needs of our clients. Domestic violence victims can take comfort in knowing that, regardless of their primary language or immigration status, they will be able to receive the immediate assistance they need to gain safety and services for themselves and their children.”

Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez

Nonprofit service providers inMotion, Inc.

Multi-lingual services available at the Queens Family Justice Center

Jewish Association for Services for the Aged

• Prosecution of domestic violence crimes

Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation

• Civil legal consultations and direct representation for Family Court, matrimonial, housing, and immigration matters

Barrier Free Living, Inc.

Korean American Family Services Center Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty Mount Sinai Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program

• Assistance filing police and probation reports

New York Asian Women’s Center

• Interpretation services

Queens Legal Services Corporation Safe Horizon Sanctuary for Families Urban Justice Center

• Court accompaniment • On-site child care and children’s activities • Safety planning and emergency assistance • Shelter and housing assistance • Counseling and support groups

City and government agencies

• Services for the elderly and disabled

The City University of New York

• Public benefits assistance

Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence

• Health care assistance

New York City Department for the Aging

• Parenting skills training

New York City Department of Information, Technology and Telecommunications

• English as a Second Language classes and other self-sufficiency services

New York City Department of Probation

• Voluntary interfaith spiritual support

New York City Police Department Office of the Queens County District Attorney Domestic Violence Bureau

The New York City Family Justice Center in Queens is an initiative of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence.

Gabriella F. Richman, Esq. Supervising attorney/Queens “As a resident of Queens, I am th r i lle d t o be i nv o lv e d i n t h i s wonderful collaborative endeavor, bringing much-needed services to the women of my community. This is an exciting place for me to be at this point in my career.”

Bringing over 15 years of family and matrimonial legal expertise to our Queens office, Gabriella has spent most of her professional life advocating for the poor and making women’s voices heard in our City’s courts. Gabriella returned to inMotion in 2007 as senior staff attorney, and shortly thereafter she stepped into the role of supervising attorney.

In addition to supervising our Queens staff and a full-time litigation extern, Gabriella trains and mentors inMotion pro bono attorneys handling complex matrimonial and family law matters on behalf of inMotion’s clients. She also provides free legal advice and brief services to Center clients who need to access the courts immediately, when there is not time to recruit a volunteer lawyer.

Gabriella first joined inMotion’s staff in 2003 as a staff attorney in our Bronx office. Missing the courtroom, she left inMotion in 2005 for an appointment to the Second Department Law Guardian Appeals Panel to represent indigent individuals. During this time, Gabriella also accepted a part-time position as the director of matrimonial programs at the City Bar Justice Center of the New York City Bar Association and concurrently served as a consultant to the Incarcerated Mothers Law Project of Volunteers of Legal Services.

Patricia Telfort Legal services coordinator “The Family Justice Center in Queens will be a place of great comfort and hope for abuse victims. I am excited to collaborate with so many on-site organizations to empower families to move forward to safer and more secure lives.”

Patricia came to inMotion last fall to complete the final leg of her master’s degree at Columbia University School of Social Work. As a social work intern, Patricia worked closely with many of inMotion’s most vulnerable clients, connecting them to critical support services and helping them navigate the complex bureaucracy of public benefits. Prior to her field placement at inMotion, Patricia interned at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx where she provided extensive social work support services to families dealing with major health crises. After her graduation in May, we welcomed Patricia to our Queens staff.

As legal services coordinator, Patricia screens and provides information to clients, conducts intake, assists in recruiting new volunteers, coordinates Queens-based CLE trainings and links volunteer attorneys with women seeking legal representation. In addition, Patricia assists with legal screening for the Family Justice Center and makes referrals to other service providers at the Center.

Letter from the executive director Fried Fried Frank Fellowship

Corporate meets public service According to the latest Presidential election polls, the faltering national economy now Corporate practice practice meets public service

leads the list of concerns of most Americans. How our elected leaders address so many

The The need need in in Queens Queens for free legal services is immense for free legal services is immense

Our Ourextensive extensiveexperience experiencein inthe theBronx Bronxhas has taught us how important it is to reach abused taught us how important it is to reach abused and andculturally culturallyisolated isolatedwomen womenin inthe thecommunities communities where they live.

We have witnessed where they live. We have witnessedfirst-hand first-hand the theextraordinary extraordinarysocial, social,emotional emotionaland andfinancial financial challenges that immigrant domestic challenges that immigrant domesticviolence violence victims victimsface facewhen whenthey theytry tryto toreport reportabuse abuseor or access help. access help.

Queens Queensis isthe themost mostethnically ethnicallydiverse diverse county countyin inthe theentire entireU.S. U.S. Since Since1990, 1990,one onemillion millionnew newimmigrants immigrantshave have made madeQueens Queenstheir theirhome—46% home—46%of ofthe thepeople peoplewho who live in Queens were born in a foreign country—and live in Queens were born in a foreign country—and collectively collectivelythey theyspeak speakmore morethan than160 160languages. languages.

InInthis borough, with one of the nation’s this borough, with one of the nation’smost most rapidly rapidlygrowing growingimmigrant immigrantpopulations, populations,the the potential potentialfor forcultural culturalisolation isolationisistremendous. tremendous.

Geographic Geographicbarriers barriers

Covering Covering109 109square squaremiles, miles,Queens Queensisisthe thelargest largest of New York City’s boroughs.

Domestic of New York City’s boroughs. Domesticviolence violence advocates advocateshave havelong longrecognized recognizedone oneof ofthe the biggest biggesthurdles hurdlesto tosurvivors survivorsseeking seekinghelp helpisisthe the physical physicaldistance distancewhich whichoften oftenseparates separatesthem them from fromservice serviceproviders, providers,law lawenforcement enforcementcenters centers and andour ourCity’s City’scourts. courts.

Legal Legalservices servicesagencies agencies are are scarce scarce

InInaacounty countyof ofover over2.2 2.2million millionpeople, people,only onlynine nine Queens-based Queens-basedlegal legalservices serviceslawyers lawyersand andlegal legal assistants assistantsserve servelow-income low-incomeclients clientswho whoneed need matrimonial matrimonialand andfamily familylaw lawassistance. assistance.

The Thenumbers numbersspeak speakfor for themselves themselves

45,877 45,877incidents incidentsof ofdomestic domesticviolence violencewere werereported reported Twenty-six percent ininQueens last year. ofall all Queens last year. Twenty-six percentof domestic domestichomicides homicidesininthe theCity Cityof ofNew NewYork Yorkwere were reported in Queens County.

Citywide the reported in Queens County. Citywide thepolice police responded 229,354**domestic domesticviolence violenceincidents incidents respondedto to229,354 last lastyear; year;averaging averagingover over600 600incidents incidentsper perday. day.

InInaddition, addition,the theNYPD’s NYPD’sDomestic DomesticViolence ViolenceUnit Unit conducted 76,602**home homevisits visitsinin2007, 2007,aa conducted76,602 ninety-eight ninety-eightpercent percentincrease increasesince since2002.

2002. **Source: Source:Mayor’s Mayor’sOffice OfficetotoCombat CombatDomestic DomesticViolence, Violence, Domestic DomesticViolence ViolenceFact FactSheet SheetCalendar CalendarYear Year2007.

2007.

Our OurQueens Queensaddress address inMotion, inMotion,Inc. Inc. New NewYork YorkCity CityFamily FamilyJustice JusticeCenter, Center,Queens Queens 126-02 82nd Avenue 126-02 82nd Avenue Kew KewGardens, Gardens,NY NY11415 11415 Tel Tel 718.575.4500 718.575.4500 Fax Fax718.268.3120 718.268.3120 Email Emailinfo@inmotiononline.org info@inmotiononline.org

Get Getinvolved. involved.Learn Learnmore. more. www.inmotiononline.org www.inmotiononline.org

For Esq., aa second-year litigation associate at Forthe the past past year, year, Erin Erin Abrams, Abrams, Esq., second-year litigation associate at Fried, Fried, critical national issues—health care, education, energy, jobs—in the coming months Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, has worked full-time with inMotion as and years directly affectsfull-time each of with us and our families.

Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, has worked inMotion as our our No one has more at stake than Fried legal inMotion’s clients. and Fried Frank Frank Fellow.

Fellow. Her Her ardent ardent legal advocacy advocacy and forceful forceful litigation litigation skills skills have have brought financial security to indigent and brought freedom, freedom, safety safety and and financial security to 28 28 indigent women and their their Most of us worry about the futurewomen opportunities our children and grandchildren children—most victims of domestic violence—in highly contested children—most of of whom whom are are victims of domestic violence—in highly contested will inherit. But we don’t have to worry that we won’t have enough money to make it divorces We would like to two Erin’s hardthrough month, week,just tomorrow buy food and medicine, to pay the rent divorces and and family family law law cases. cases.

Wethe would like the to share share just two of of—to Erin’s hardfought victories on behalf of inMotion clients living in Queens. and utilities.

Nor do we worry about whether we’ll have a safe home to return to at the fought victories on behalf of inMotion clients living in Queens.

end of the day. These are the very immediate worries of the women who reach out to for help.

Battered and infant Battered mother motherinMotion and abused abused infant find find safety safety and and financial financial independence independence * Malaya when her husband served After abusing Malaya, a 28-year-old mother Malaya contacted inMotion inMotion when her Women husbandliving served After abusing Malaya,*More a 28-year-old immigrant mother than 14.1immigrant million women in America are contacted poor—that’s about one in eight. her with divorce papers.

Erin immediately took on from the Philippines, and their infant daughter, Malaya’s her divorce papers.

Erin national immediately took on the the from the Philippines, and theirYork infant daughter, Malaya’s in New State are even more likely towith live in poverty than their counterparts. divorce and Court matters helped Malaya husband his and out of * divorce and Family Family Court matters and helped Malaya husbandforcibly forciblythrew threwOur hiswife wife and daughter outworst of their their state, in daughter fact, has the income gap between rich and poor in theand nation. file family file an an answer answer to to her her husband’s husband’s divorce divorce complaint complaint family home. home.

All of our clients live in poverty. Their fears forSupreme themselves and their childrenaction are very in Queens Court.

The divorce in Queens Supreme Court. The divorce action soon soon M al aya r e coun ts , a l a very ya real. r ec oThey u nt s,cannot wait for long-term solutions. Resourceful and immediateM and became became hotly hotly contested, contested, as as complex complex issues issues of of equitable equitable “Gabat did not want a “Gabat want a courageous, they did findnot us —through friends or colleagues, the police, the courts, or distribution distribution arose, arose, including including appraising appraising the the marital marital daughter — wanted daughter —he hethey wanted on the web.

And when do, we link them with pro bono lawyers and supportive residence and the value of the husband’s pension. residence and the value of the husband’s pension. a son.

Eight days after a son. Eight days after social services.

II gave In May May of of 2008, 2008, Erin Erin settled settled the the divorce divorce case case for for gave birth, birth, he he beat beat In Most of our clients gain significant financial benefits in their court cases: child support Malaya on extremely favorable terms.

As a result me with his fists until Malaya on extremely favorable terms. As a result of of me with his fists until payments, health insurance coverage, the right to keep affordable housing, valuable pension II was Erin’s forceful forceful advocacy, advocacy, Gabat Gabat was was required required to to buy buy out out was black black and and blue. blue. Erin’s rights, fair division of marital debts. Talented and caring lawyers make the difference. share distribute Our was —the words of a share of of their their co-op co-op and distribute her her legal legal Our daughter was in in Malaya’s Together, we aredaughter giving thousands of Malaya’s women the chance to begin to and live without fear. grateful inMotion client the share of of his his pension pension on on an an accelerated accelerated schedule. schedule. Malaya Malaya the room room and and crying. crying. share We at inMotion are determined to let concerns the uncertain financial future of in also allowed to the that she He not was also allowed of to reclaim reclaim the property property that she left left in He would would not let let me menotwas our country our In ability to provide increased economic toIn women living the residence when she addition, Erin go to aa rage the marital marital residence whensecurity she fled. fled.

In addition, Erin golimit to her. her.

In rage inShut-up! povertyYou in are our Unfortunately, these same challengescustody mean of helped secure an order he bitch helped Malaya Malaya secure aneconomic order of of protection, protection, custody of hescreamed, screamed,‘Shut-up!

‘Shut-up!

Shut-up!

You are aacommunity. bitch just just like like thatour many that support her ourdaughter work willand be statutory cutting back the coming year. child support. your baby daughter her daughter and statutory childin support. your mother,’ mother,’ and and shook shook our babyinstitutions daughter violently.” violently.”

So, donations from individuals like you are now more critical than ever. You have the currently has only visitation with After daughter parent’s small Gabatsurvive currently only supervised supervised withasthe the After fleeing fleeing with with her heropportunity daughter to totoher her smallwe Gabat helpparent’s the women serve the has difficult year ahead.visitation Please give child, and aa trial in ACS’s child abuse case is scheduled apartment Malaya to Family Court to child, and trial in ACS’s child abuse case is scheduled apartment in in Queens, Queens,generously Malaya went went to Family Court to as you can. seek for the the fall. fall. The The outcome outcome of of this this trial trial will will determine determine the the seekan anorder orderof ofprotection, protection,legal legalcustody custodyof ofher herdaughter daughter for and final visitation visitation and and custody custody issues. issues. andan anorder order of of child child support. support. Gabat Gabat did did not not want want to to pay pay final child child support. support. He He immediately immediately filed filed aa cross-petition cross-petition for for “InMotion “InMotion gave gave me me Erin Erin— —and and she she in in turn turn gave gave me me custody custody and and visitation. visitation. The The Administration Administration of of Children’s Children’s the the courage courage to to stand stand up up to to my my ex-husband ex-husband and and fight fight to to Services Services (ACS) (ACS) reviewed reviewed the the petitions petitions and and initiated initiated protect states Malaya.

“We are safe now protect my my daughter,” daughter,” states Malaya.

“We are safe now Catherine J. Douglass neglect neglect and and abuse abuse proceedings proceedings against against Gabat Gabat based based on on and afraid.” and don’t don’t have have to to be beExecutive afraid.” Director Malaya’s allegations.

Malaya’s allegations.

“You gave me hope where before there was none.”

* The Economic Status of Women in New York State,

by Erica Williams, Institute for Women’s Policy Research Mail-order violent Mail-order bride bride escapes escapes violent marriage marriage

in partnership with The New York Women’s Foundation, published June 2008.

Elena in court. court. Elena Elena bravely bravely testified testified at at the the inquest inquest about about the the Elena** met met her her future future husband, husband, Georgios, Georgios, in in 2006 2006 in on violence she she had had suffered suffered and and the the judge judge granted granted Elena Elena on aa web web site site for for mail-order mail-order brides brides while while she she lived lived in in violence Russia. anorder order of of protection protection for for five five years—the years—the longest longest the the law law Russia. Two Two months months after after their their first first online online encounter, encounter, an Georgios allows. Erin Erin finalized finalized Elena’s Elena’s divorce divorce at at the the inquest inquest and and Georgios flew flew Elena Elena to to the the United United States States and, and, after after aa allows. brief obtained aa default default judgment judgment against against Elena’s Elena’s husband husband brief courtship, courtship, they they married. married. Elena’s Elena’s honeymoon honeymoon soon soon obtained which required him to pay spousal turned into a violent nightmare. which required him to pay spousal maintenance maintenance of of turned into a violent nightmare. $1,000/month for six months and awarded all marital $1,000/month for six months and awarded all marital Georgios Georgios quickly quickly took took control control of of Elena’s Elena’s life. life. He He became became possessions possessions to to Elena.

Elena. increasingly abusive—first verbally, $2.4 million raised! increasingly abusive—first verbally, and and then then physically. physically.

Elena was ecstatic Georgios treated her like a servant and demanded that withthe theoutcome outcomeof of her her cases. cases. Although Although Georgios treated her like a servant and demanded that Elena was ecstaticwith there is still a warrant out for her ex-husband’s arrest, she call him ‘sir.’

He often flew into uncontrollable rages; there is still a warrant out forgive her heartfelt ex-husband’s arrest, she What call him ‘sir.’ He into uncontrollable rages; thanks to the a night!

Onoften Aprilflew 2, more she feels safe knowing severe physical and sexual abuse became a daily torment. she feels safe knowing severe physical sexual abuse became a daily torment. many artists, collectors and than 1,100and inMotion friends that that she she has has aa five-year five-year gallerists who donated works andtheir supporters packed During six-month Elena During their six-monthmarriage, marriage,the Elena fled fled several several times times order of protection. of art to our live and silent Waldorf=Astoria to celebrate order of protection. but, without family or money, she was persuaded to return but, without family or money, she was persuaded to return auctions. And we are grateful our 15th year of service to New by Elena spoke spoke recently recently by her her husband’s husband’s promises promises to to change. change. But But sadly, sadly, nothing nothing Elena to Photography Auction coYork City women and children. changed.

Georgios continued to at an an inMotion inMotion event event changed.

Georgios to abuse abuse and and rape rape Elena.

Elena. at chairs Elisabeth Biondi, The Thanks to theircontinued extraordinary After aa particularly and shared, shared, “When “When II After particularly severe incident where her her husband husband and New Yorker, and Cathy M. generosity, thesevere event incident raised awhere threatened her came to to the the United United threatened to kill kill her and and attempted attempted to to break break her her arms, arms, came Kaplan, Sidley Austin LLP, and record to $2.4 million.

Elena States, II believed believed that that II Elena called called the the police. police. Georgios Georgios was was arrested arrested and and States, committee members Nailya The evening honored Jeffrey H. charged would be be happy happy in in this this charged with with criminal criminal assault assault and and harassment. harassment. Elena Elena fled fled would Alexander, Bonni Benrubi, Aronson, managing principal to country, and and II found found to aa domestic domestic violence violence shelter. shelter. When When her her husband husband filed filed country, Howard Greenberg, Edwynn at Centerbridge Partners, L.P., out that people here for aa month later, Elena hired aa private attorney Houk, Ariel Meyerowitz, Yossi out that people here for divorce divorce month later, Elena hired private attorney for his lifetime commitment to Milo, Julie Saul and Dorsey Waxter, for their inspired care about others and to her husband’s complaint with the last of her care about others and to answer answer her husband’s complaint with the last of her justice for all individuals. Jeff was joined by honorary cowork assembling this year’s auction collection.

A help ifif you ask II was all no or savings, but quickly money. turned help you you you ask for for help. help. was all alone, alone, no friends friends or savings, butMichael quicklyran ran out out of ofFranklin money. She She then then turned to to chairs Embler, Mutual Advisers; Mark special thanks well in to inMotion. the 180 volunteers whose family, but my family Erin inMotion for and on family, but II found found myas family in inMotion.

Erin Abrams Abrams inMotion forhelp, help, andErin Erintook tookPartners, on her her case. case.

T. Gallogly, Centerbridge L.P.; Marc Lasry, behind the scenes coordination was first who me divorce case. was the the first person person who helped helped me with with my myefforts divorce made case. the Avenue Group; Henry S. Miller, Miller As as Erin representing Elena, the order As soon soon as Capital Erin began began representing Elena, theBuckfire order & evening such a resounding success.

She She was was so so attentive attentive to to my my problems. problems. Since Since II found found Erin Erin Co., LLC; and James E. Millstein, Lazard & Co. of petition, criminal case and divorce of protection protection petition, criminal case and Frères divorce LLC. Richard Bilotti, GSO Capital Partners LP; and Jean through inMotion, things have been getting better and through inMotion, things have been getting better and Save the date! action action were were consolidated consolidated in in Queens Queens County County Integrated Integrated E. Hanson, Esq., Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson better every day.

Thank you, Erin.

You’re such aApril wonderful better every day.

Thank you, Erin.

You’re such a wonderful We hope to see you on Tuesday, 21 at the Domestic Domestic Violence Violence Court.

Court. During During the the course course of of the the LLP, served as benefit co-chairs. person and God bless you for all the work that you do person and God bless you for all the work that you do Waldorf=Astoria for our 2009 Annual Benefit and family family offense offense proceedings, proceedings, Elena’s Elena’s husband husband defaulted. defaulted. for women in need like me.” for women in need like me.”

Photography Auction.

For more information, contact For the 13th straight year, Denise Bethel of Sotheby’s AAwarrant warrantwas wasissued issuedfor forhis hisarrest, arrest,but buthe hedid didnot notappear appear rsvp@inmotiononline.org or 646.442.1185. returned to the podium to lead our live auction. We ** Client changed to Client names names have have been beencall changed to protect protect their their identities. identities.

2008 Annual Photography Auction and Benefit

continued from cover

Meet our Queens staff

• Social work support services including safety planning, crisis management, assistance obtaining emergency shelter or housing, access to public benefits and counseling All women who come to inMotion through the Center will be screened for placement with a pro bono attorney or an on-site litigation extern from one of our participating Corporate Partner law firms. If a client cannot be given a volunteer attorney, our staff will provide free legal advice and prepare the necessary court papers so that she can file her own motion in court. We will also offer referrals to sister legal services providers who may be able to take on her case.

Join us in welcoming our New York City Family Justice Center staff to their new digs in Kew Gardens! InMotion is one of the only on-site legal services providers to debut at the Center with a full-time, multi-lingual staff to serve women living in Queens. Fluencies in our new office include Creole, French, Italian and Spanish.

The grand opening! Pictured left to right: Catherine Douglass, Esq., inMotion executive director; Brad Eric Scheler, Esq., chair, board of directors; Alison Napack Kallman, Esq., board member; Heidi Lee Henderson, Esq., director, legal and social services; and Myron Trepper, senior counsel, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.

About the New York City Family Justice Center Initiative Led by the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, the New York City Family Justice Center Initiative brings together domestic violence prosecutors and service providers in one centralized location so that abuse survivors are able to access the support they need more effectively and efficiently. All services are free and available regardless of sex, age, nationality or sexual orientation. Survivors are able to access services in their native language, while their children receive child care from professionally trained staff.

The New York City Family Justice Center in Kew Gardens is the second domestic violence crisis center to open in the City. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg launched the first Center in downtown Brooklyn in July, 2005. Since that time, the Brooklyn Center has served over 11,000 clients and averages 1,000 client visits per month. InMotion recently joined the Brooklyn Center as an off-site referral partner in June, 2008.

Based on the Brooklyn Center’s success, the City has committed to opening additional centers.

Following Queens, a Bronx center is expected to open by the end of 2009.

On-site partners

New York City Family Justice Center, Queens

Gabriella F. Richman, Esq. Supervising attorney/Queens “As a resident of Queens, I am th r i lle d t o be i nv o lv e d i n t h i s wonderful collaborative endeavor, bringing much-needed services to the women of my community. This is an exciting place for me to be at this point in my career.”

Bringing over 15 years of family and matrimonial legal expertise to our Queens office, Gabriella has spent most of her professional life advocating for the poor and making women’s voices heard in our City’s courts. Gabriella returned to inMotion in 2007 as senior staff attorney, and shortly thereafter she stepped into the role of supervising attorney.

In addition to supervising our Queens staff and a full-time litigation extern, Gabriella trains and mentors inMotion pro bono attorneys handling complex matrimonial and family law matters on behalf of inMotion’s clients. She also provides free legal advice and brief services to Center clients who need to access the courts immediately, when there is not time to recruit a volunteer lawyer.

REVEAL OF STORY BEHIND THE INTERIOR FLAP.

“Our City and nonprofit partners at the Queens Family Justice Center will represent the diverse needs of our clients. Domestic violence victims can take comfort in knowing that, regardless of their primary language or immigration status, they will be able to receive the immediate assistance they need to gain safety and services for themselves and their children.”

Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez

Nonprofit service providers inMotion, Inc.

Multi-lingual services available at the Queens Family Justice Center

Jewish Association for Services for the Aged

• Prosecution of domestic violence crimes

Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation

• Civil legal consultations and direct representation for Family Court, matrimonial, housing, and immigration matters

Barrier Free Living, Inc.

Korean American Family Services Center Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty Mount Sinai Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program

• Assistance filing police and probation reports

New York Asian Women’s Center

• Interpretation services

Queens Legal Services Corporation Safe Horizon Sanctuary for Families Urban Justice Center

• Court accompaniment • On-site child care and children’s activities • Safety planning and emergency assistance • Shelter and housing assistance • Counseling and support groups

City and government agencies

• Services for the elderly and disabled

The City University of New York

• Public benefits assistance

Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence

• Health care assistance

New York City Department for the Aging

• Parenting skills training

New York City Department of Information, Technology and Telecommunications

• English as a Second Language classes and other self-sufficiency services

New York City Department of Probation

• Voluntary interfaith spiritual support

New York City Police Department Office of the Queens County District Attorney Domestic Violence Bureau

The New York City Family Justice Center in Queens is an initiative of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence.

Gabriella first joined inMotion’s staff in 2003 as a staff attorney in our Bronx office. Missing the courtroom, she left inMotion in 2005 for an appointment to the Second Department Law Guardian Appeals Panel to represent indigent individuals. During this time, Gabriella also accepted a part-time position as the director of matrimonial programs at the City Bar Justice Center of the New York City Bar Association and concurrently served as a consultant to the Incarcerated Mothers Law Project of Volunteers of Legal Services.

Patricia Telfort Legal services coordinator “The Family Justice Center in Queens will be a place of great comfort and hope for abuse victims. I am excited to collaborate with so many on-site organizations to empower families to move forward to safer and more secure lives.”

Patricia came to inMotion last fall to complete the final leg of her master’s degree at Columbia University School of Social Work. As a social work intern, Patricia worked closely with many of inMotion’s most vulnerable clients, connecting them to critical support services and helping them navigate the complex bureaucracy of public benefits. Prior to her field placement at inMotion, Patricia interned at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx where she provided extensive social work support services to families dealing with major health crises. After her graduation in May, we welcomed Patricia to our Queens staff.

As legal services coordinator, Patricia screens and provides information to clients, conducts intake, assists in recruiting new volunteers, coordinates Queens-based CLE trainings and links volunteer attorneys with women seeking legal representation. In addition, Patricia assists with legal screening for the Family Justice Center and makes referrals to other service providers at the Center.

Fried Fried Frank Frank Fellowship

Corporate Corporate practice practice meets meets public public service service

The The need need in in Queens Queens for forfree freelegal legalservices services is is immense immense

Our Ourextensive extensiveexperience experienceininthe theBronx Bronxhas has taught us how important it is to reach abused taught us how important it is to reach abused and andculturally culturallyisolated isolatedwomen womenininthe thecommunities communities where they live.

We have witnessed where they live. We have witnessedfirst-hand first-hand the theextraordinary extraordinarysocial, social,emotional emotionaland andfinancial financial challenges that immigrant domestic challenges that immigrant domesticviolence violence victims victimsface facewhen whenthey theytry tryto toreport reportabuse abuse or or access accesshelp. help.

Queens Queensis isthe themost mostethnically ethnicallydiverse diverse county countyin inthe theentire entireU.S. U.S. Since Since1990, 1990,one onemillion millionnew newimmigrants immigrantshave have made madeQueens Queenstheir theirhome—46% home—46%of ofthe thepeople peoplewho who live in Queens were born in a foreign country—and live in Queens were born in a foreign country—and collectively collectivelythey theyspeak speakmore morethan than160 160languages. languages.

InInthis borough, with one of the nation’s this borough, with one of the nation’smost most rapidly rapidlygrowing growingimmigrant immigrantpopulations, populations,the the potential potentialfor forcultural culturalisolation isolationisistremendous. tremendous.

Geographic Geographic barriers barriers

Covering Covering109 109square squaremiles, miles,Queens Queensisisthe thelargest largest ofofNew NewYork YorkCity’s City’sboroughs. boroughs.Domestic Domesticviolence violence advocates advocateshave havelong longrecognized recognizedone oneof ofthe the biggest biggesthurdles hurdlesto tosurvivors survivorsseeking seekinghelp helpisisthe the physical physicaldistance distancewhich whichoften oftenseparates separatesthem them from fromservice serviceproviders, providers,law lawenforcement enforcementcenters centers and andour ourCity’s City’scourts. courts.

Legal Legalservices servicesagencies agenciesare arescarce scarce

InInaacounty countyofofover over2.2 2.2million millionpeople, people,only onlynine nine Queens-based Queens-basedlegal legalservices serviceslawyers lawyersand andlegal legal assistants assistantsserve servelow-income low-incomeclients clientswho whoneed need matrimonial matrimonialand andfamily familylaw lawassistance. assistance.

The Thenumbers numbersspeak speakfor forthemselves themselves

45,877 45,877incidents incidentsofofdomestic domesticviolence violencewere werereported reported Twenty-six percent ininQueens last year. ofall all Queens last year. Twenty-six percentof domestichomicides homicidesininthe theCity Cityof ofNew NewYork Yorkwere were domestic reportedininQueens QueensCounty.

County.Citywide Citywidethe thepolice police reported 229,354**domestic domesticviolence violenceincidents incidents respondedto to229,354 responded lastyear; year;averaging averagingover over600 600incidents incidentsper perday. day. last addition,the theNYPD’s NYPD’sDomestic DomesticViolence ViolenceUnit Unit InInaddition, 76,602**home homevisits visitsinin2007, 2007,aa conducted76,602 conducted ninety-eightpercent percentincrease increasesince since2002.

2002. ninety-eight Source:Mayor’s Mayor’sOffice OfficetotoCombat CombatDomestic DomesticViolence, Violence, * *Source: DomesticViolence ViolenceFact FactSheet SheetCalendar CalendarYear Year2007.

2007.

Domestic

OurQueens Queensaddress address Our inMotion,Inc. Inc. inMotion, NewYork YorkCity CityFamily FamilyJustice JusticeCenter, Center,Queens Queens New 126-0282nd 82ndAvenue Avenue 126-02 Kew KewGardens, Gardens,NY NY11415 11415 Tel 718.575.4500 718.575.4500 Tel Fax718.268.3120 718.268.3120 Fax Emailinfo@inmotiononline.org info@inmotiononline.org Email

Getinvolved. involved.Learn Learnmore. more.

Get www.inmotiononline.org www.inmotiononline.org

For Forthe thepast pastyear, year,Erin Erin Abrams, Abrams, Esq., Esq., aa second-year second-year litigation litigation associate associate at at Fried, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, has worked full-time with inMotion Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, has worked full-time with inMotion as as our our Fried Fried Frank Frank Fellow.

Fellow. Her Her ardent ardent legal legal advocacy advocacy and and forceful forceful litigation litigation skills skills have have brought brought freedom, freedom, safety safety and and financial financial security security to to 28 28 indigent indigent women women and and their their children—most children—mostof ofwhom whom are are victims victims of of domestic domestic violence—in violence—in highly highly contested contested divorces divorces and and family family law law cases. cases. We We would would like like to to share share just just two two of of Erin’s Erin’s hardhardfought victories on behalf of inMotion clients living in Queens. fought victories on behalf of inMotion clients living in Queens.

Battered Battered mother mother and and abused abused infant infant find find safety safety and and financial financial independence independence ** aa 28-year-old After After abusing abusing Malaya, Malaya, 28-year-old immigrant immigrant mother mother from fromthe thePhilippines, Philippines,and andtheir theirinfant infantdaughter, daughter,Malaya’s Malaya’s husband husbandforcibly forciblythrew threwhis hiswife wifeand anddaughter daughterout out of of their their family family home. home.

M rreec coun tss,, Mal a laya a ya o u nt “Gabat “Gabat did did not not want want aa daughter daughter— —he he wanted wanted aa son.

Eight son. Eight days days after after II gave gave birth, birth, he he beat beat me me with with his his fists fists until until II was was black black and and blue. blue.

Our daughter Our daughter was was in in the the room room and and crying. crying.

He He would would not not let let me me go go to to her. her. In In aa rage rage he hescreamed, screamed,‘Shut-up!

‘Shut-up!Shut-up!

Shut-up!You Youare are aa bitch bitch just just like like your yourmother,’ mother,’and and shook shook our our baby baby daughter daughter violently.” violently.”

After After fleeing fleeing with with her her daughter daughter to to her her parent’s parent’s small small apartment apartment in in Queens, Queens, Malaya Malaya went went to to Family Family Court Court to to seek seekan anorder orderof ofprotection, protection,legal legalcustody custodyof ofher herdaughter daughter and andan anorder orderof ofchild childsupport. support. Gabat Gabat did did not not want want to to pay pay child child support. support. He He immediately immediately filed filed aa cross-petition cross-petition for for custody custody and and visitation. visitation. The The Administration Administration of of Children’s Children’s Services Services (ACS) (ACS) reviewed reviewed the the petitions petitions and and initiated initiated neglect neglect and and abuse abuse proceedings proceedings against against Gabat Gabat based based on on Malaya’s Malaya’sallegations. allegations.

Malaya Malaya contacted contacted inMotion inMotion when when her her husband husband served served her her with with divorce divorce papers. papers. Erin Erin immediately immediately took took on on the the divorce divorce and and Family Family Court Court matters matters and and helped helped Malaya file file an an answer answer to to her her husband’s husband’s divorce divorce complaint complaint in Queens Supreme Court.

The divorce in Queens Supreme Court. The divorce action action soon became became hotly hotly contested, contested, as as complex complex issues issues of of equitable equitable distribution arose, including appraising the distribution arose, including appraising the marital marital residence residence and and the the value value of of the the husband’s husband’s pension. pension.

In In May May of of 2008, 2008, Erin Erin settled settled the the divorce divorce case case for for Malaya on extremely favorable terms.

As a result Malaya on extremely favorable terms. As a result of of Erin’s Erin’s forceful forceful advocacy, advocacy, Gabat Gabat was was required required to to buy buy out out Malaya’s Malaya’s share share of of their their co-op co-op and and distribute distribute her her legal legal share share of of his his pension pension on on an an accelerated accelerated schedule. schedule. Malaya Malaya was was also also allowed allowed to to reclaim reclaim the the property property that that she she left left in in the the marital marital residence residence when when she she fled. fled. In In addition, addition, Erin Erin helped helped Malaya Malaya secure secure an an order order of of protection, protection, custody custody of of her her daughter daughter and and statutory statutory child child support. support.

Gabat Gabat currently currently has has only only supervised supervised visitation visitation with with the the child, child, and and aa trial trial in in ACS’s ACS’s child child abuse abuse case case is is scheduled scheduled for for the the fall. fall. The The outcome outcome of of this this trial trial will will determine determine the the final final visitation visitation and and custody custody issues. issues.

“InMotion “InMotion gave gave me me Erin Erin— —and and she she in in turn turn gave gave me me the the courage courage to to stand stand up up to to my my ex-husband ex-husband and and fight fight to to protect protect my my daughter,” daughter,” states states Malaya.

Malaya. “We “We are are safe safe now now and and don’t don’t have have to to be be afraid.” afraid.”

Mail-order Mail-order bride bride escapes escapes violent violent marriage marriage Elena Elena** met met her her future future husband, husband, Georgios, Georgios, in in 2006 2006 on on aa web web site site for for mail-order mail-order brides brides while while she she lived lived in in Russia.

Russia. Two Two months months after after their their first first online online encounter, encounter, Georgios Georgios flew flew Elena Elena to to the the United United States States and, and, after after aa brief brief courtship, courtship, they they married. married. Elena’s Elena’s honeymoon honeymoon soon soon turned turnedinto intoaaviolent violentnightmare. nightmare.

Georgios quickly quickly took took control control of of Elena’s Elena’s life. life. He He became became Georgios increasingly abusive—first abusive—first verbally, verbally, and and then then physically. physically. increasingly Georgios treated treated her her like like aa servant servant and and demanded demanded that that Georgios shecall callhim him‘sir.’ ‘sir.’He Heoften oftenflew flewinto intouncontrollable uncontrollable rages; rages; she severe severe physical physical and and sexual sexual abuse abuse became became aa daily daily torment. torment.

Duringtheir theirsix-month six-monthmarriage, marriage,Elena Elenafled fledseveral several times times During but, but,without withoutfamily familyor ormoney, money, she she was was persuaded persuaded to to return return by by her her husband’s husband’s promises promises to to change. change. But But sadly, sadly, nothing nothing changed. changed. Georgios Georgios continued continued to to abuse abuse and and rape rape Elena.

Elena.

After aa particularly particularly severe severe incident incident where where her her husband husband After threatened to to kill kill her her and and attempted attempted to to break break her her arms, arms, threatened Elena called called the the police. police. Georgios Georgios was was arrested arrested and and Elena chargedwith withcriminal criminal assault assault and and harassment. harassment. Elena Elena fled fled charged to aa domestic domestic violence violence shelter. shelter. When When her her husband husband filed filed to for divorce divorce aa month month later, later, Elena Elena hired hired aa private private attorney attorney for to answer answer her her husband’s husband’s complaint complaint with with the the last last of of her her to savings,but butquickly quicklyran ranout outof ofmoney. money.She She then then turned turned to to savings, inMotionfor forhelp, help,and andErin Erintook tookon onher hercase. case. inMotion As soon soon as as Erin Erin began began representing representing Elena, Elena, the the order order As of protection protection petition, petition, criminal criminal case case and and divorce divorce of action were were consolidated consolidated in in Queens Queens County County Integrated Integrated action Domestic Violence Violence Court.

Court. During During the the course course of of the the Domestic family offense offense proceedings, proceedings, Elena’s Elena’s husband husband defaulted. defaulted. family warrantwas wasissued issuedfor forhis hisarrest, arrest,but buthe hedid didnot notappear appear AAwarrant

in in court. court. Elena Elena bravely bravely testified testified at at the the inquest inquest about about the the violence violence she she had had suffered suffered and and the the judge judge granted granted Elena Elena an anorder orderof ofprotection protection for for five five years—the years—the longest longest the the law law allows. allows. Erin Erin finalized finalized Elena’s Elena’s divorce divorce at at the the inquest inquest and and obtained obtained aa default default judgment judgment against against Elena’s Elena’s husband husband which which required required him him to to pay pay spousal spousal maintenance maintenance of of $1,000/month for for six six months months and and awarded awarded all all marital marital $1,000/month possessions possessions to to Elena.

Elena.

Elenawas wasecstatic ecstaticwith withthe theoutcome outcomeof ofher hercases. cases.Although Although Elena there there isis still still aa warrant warrant out out for for her her ex-husband’s ex-husband’s arrest, arrest, she she feels feels safe safe knowing knowing that that she she has has aa five-year five-year order of of protection. protection. order

Elena Elena spoke spoke recently recently at an an inMotion inMotion event event at and shared, shared, “When “When II and came to to the the United United came States, II believed believed that that II States, would be be happy happy in in this this would country, and and II found found country, out that that people people here here out care about about others others and and care help you you ifif you you ask ask for for help. help. II was was all all alone, alone, no no friends friends or or help family, but but II found found my my family family in in inMotion. inMotion. Erin Erin Abrams Abrams family, was the the first first person person who who helped helped me me with with my my divorce divorce case. case. was She was was so so attentive attentive to to my my problems. problems. Since Since II found found Erin Erin She through inMotion, inMotion, things things have have been been getting getting better better and and through betterevery everyday. day.Thank Thankyou, you,Erin.

Erin.You’re You’resuch suchaawonderful wonderful better person and and God God bless bless you you for for all all the the work work that that you you do do person for women women in in need need like like me.” me.” for Client names names have have been been changed changed to to protect protect their their identities. identities. ** Client

continued from cover

Meet our Queens staff

• Social work support services including safety planning, crisis management, assistance obtaining emergency shelter or housing, access to public benefits and counseling All women who come to inMotion through the Center will be screened for placement with a pro bono attorney or an on-site litigation extern from one of our participating Corporate Partner law firms. If a client cannot be given a volunteer attorney, our staff will provide free legal advice and prepare the necessary court papers so that she can file her own motion in court. We will also offer referrals to sister legal services providers who may be able to take on her case.

Join us in welcoming our New York City Family Justice Center staff to their new digs in Kew Gardens! InMotion is one of the only on-site legal services providers to debut at the Center with a full-time, multi-lingual staff to serve women living in Queens. Fluencies in our new office include Creole, French, Italian and Spanish.

The grand opening! Pictured left to right: Catherine Douglass, Esq., inMotion executive director; Brad Eric Scheler, Esq., chair, board of directors; Alison Napack Kallman, Esq., board member; Heidi Lee Henderson, Esq., director, legal and social services; and Myron Trepper, senior counsel, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.

About the New York City Family Justice Center Initiative Led by the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, the New York City Family Justice Center Initiative brings together domestic violence prosecutors and service providers in one centralized location so that abuse survivors are able to access the support they need more effectively and efficiently. All services are free and available regardless of sex, age, nationality or sexual orientation. Survivors are able to access services in their native language, while their children receive child care from professionally trained staff.

The New York City Family Justice Center in Kew Gardens is the second domestic violence crisis center to open in the City. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg launched the first Center in downtown Brooklyn in July, 2005. Since that time, the Brooklyn Center has served over 11,000 clients and averages 1,000 client visits per month. InMotion recently joined the Brooklyn Center as an off-site referral partner in June, 2008.

Based on the Brooklyn Center’s success, the City has committed to opening additional centers.

Following Queens, a Bronx center is expected to open by the end of 2009.

On-site partners

New York City Family Justice Center, Queens “Our City and nonprofit partners at the Queens Family Justice Center will represent the diverse needs of our clients. Domestic violence victims can take comfort in knowing that, regardless of their primary language or immigration status, they will be able to receive the immediate assistance they need to gain safety and services for themselves and their children.”

Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez

Nonprofit service providers inMotion, Inc.

Multi-lingual services available at the Queens Family Justice Center

Jewish Association for Services for the Aged

• Prosecution of domestic violence crimes

Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation

• Civil legal consultations and direct representation for Family Court, matrimonial, housing, and immigration matters

Barrier Free Living, Inc.

Korean American Family Services Center Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty Mount Sinai Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program

• Assistance filing police and probation reports

New York Asian Women’s Center

• Interpretation services

Queens Legal Services Corporation Safe Horizon Sanctuary for Families Urban Justice Center

• Court accompaniment • On-site child care and children’s activities • Safety planning and emergency assistance • Shelter and housing assistance • Counseling and support groups

City and government agencies

• Services for the elderly and disabled

The City University of New York

• Public benefits assistance

Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence

• Health care assistance

New York City Department for the Aging

• Parenting skills training

New York City Department of Information, Technology and Telecommunications

• English as a Second Language classes and other self-sufficiency services

New York City Department of Probation

• Voluntary interfaith spiritual support

New York City Police Department Office of the Queens County District Attorney Domestic Violence Bureau

The New York City Family Justice Center in Queens is an initiative of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence.

Gabriella F. Richman, Esq. Supervising attorney/Queens “As a resident of Queens, I am t h r i lle d t o be i nv o lv e d i n t h i s wonderful collaborative endeavor, bringing much-needed services to the women of my community. This is an exciting place for me to be at this point in my career.”

Bringing over 15 years of family and matrimonial legal expertise to our Queens office, Gabriella has spent most of her professional life advocating for the poor and making women’s voices heard in our City’s courts. Gabriella returned to inMotion in 2007 as senior staff attorney, and shortly thereafter she stepped into the role of supervising attorney.

In addition to supervising our Queens staff and a full-time litigation extern, Gabriella trains and mentors inMotion pro bono attorneys handling complex matrimonial and family law matters on behalf of inMotion’s clients. She also provides free legal advice and brief services to Center clients who need to access the courts immediately, when there is not time to recruit a volunteer lawyer.

CONTENT ON OF THE INTE

Gabriella first joined inMotion’s staff in 2003 as a staff attorney in our Bronx office. Missing the courtroom, she left inMotion in 2005 for an appointment to the Second Department Law Guardian Appeals Panel to represent indigent individuals. During this time, Gabriella also accepted a part-time position as the director of matrimonial programs at the City Bar Justice Center of the New York City Bar Association and concurrently served as a consultant to the Incarcerated Mothers Law Project of Volunteers of Legal Services.

Patricia Telfort Legal services coordinator “The Family Justice Center in Queens will be a place of great comfort and hope for abuse victims. I am excited to collaborate with so many on-site organizations to empower families to move forward to safer and more secure lives.”

Patricia came to inMotion last fall to complete the final leg of her master’s degree at Columbia University School of Social Work. As a social work intern, Patricia worked closely with many of inMotion’s most vulnerable clients, connecting them to critical support services and helping them navigate the complex bureaucracy of public benefits. Prior to her field placement at inMotion, Patricia interned at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx where she provided extensive social work support services to families dealing with major health crises. After her graduation in May, we welcomed Patricia to our Queens staff.

As legal services coordinator, Patricia screens and provides information to clients, conducts intake, assists in recruiting new volunteers, coordinates Queens-based CLE trainings and links volunteer attorneys with women seeking legal representation. In addition, Patricia assists with legal screening for the Family Justice Center and makes referrals to other service providers at the Center.

& Gallagher LLP establishes FriedWillkie FrankFarr Fellowship Fried Frank Fellowship

hip

Corporate practice meetspublic public service Corporate practice meets service new litigation externship

service

ation associate at Fried, me with inMotion as our eful litigation skills have digentfor women and their services forfree free legal servicesisisimmense immense legal ce—in highly contested Ourextensive extensiveexperience experienceininthe theBronx Bronxhas has Our just two of Erin’s hardtaughtus ushow howimportant importantititisistotoreach reachabused abused taught ueens.

The need need in in Queens Queens The

andculturally culturallyisolated isolatedwomen womenininthe thecommunities communities and wherethey theylive. live.We Wehave havewitnessed witnessedfirst-hand first-hand where d safety financial independence theand extraordinary social, emotionaland andfinancial financial the extraordinary social, emotional her Malaya contacted inMotion when her husband served challengesthat thatimmigrant immigrantdomestic domesticviolence violence challenges her with divorce papers. Erin immediately took on the a’s victimsface facewhen whenthey theytry trytotoreport reportabuse abuseoror victims eir divorce and Family Court matters and helped Malaya accesshelp. help. access file an answer to her husband’s divorce complaint in Queens Supreme Court. The divorce action soon ts, Queens themost most ethnically diverse Queens isiscontested, the ethnically became hotly as complex issuesdiverse of equitable ta county in the entire U.S. distribution arose, including appraising the marital county in the entire U.S. ed residence and the value of the husband’s pension.

Since 1990, one million new immigrants have Since 1990, one million new immigrants have ter made Queens their home—46% the peoplecase whofor made their home—46% ofofthe people who In MayQueens of 2008, Erin settled the divorce eat liveininQueens Queens wereborn born foreign country—and live were ininaaforeign country—and Malaya on extremely favorable terms.

As a result of ntil collectively they speakmore more than 160languages. languages. collectively they speak than Erin’s forceful advocacy, Gabat was160 required to buy out ue. thisborough, borough, with one the nation’s mosther legal InInthis one ofofthe nation’s most Malaya’s share ofwith their co-op and distribute in rapidly growing immigrant populations, the rapidly immigrant populations, the share of growing his pension on an accelerated schedule.

Malaya ng. potential forcultural cultural isolation istremendous. tremendous. potential for isolation was also allowed to reclaim the is property that she left in me ge the marital residence when she fled. In addition, Erin Malaya secure an order of protection, custody of ike helped Geographic barriers Geographic barriers her daughter and statutory child support. ” Covering109 109square squaremiles, miles, Queens thelargest largest Covering Queens isisthe

all to ter pay for n’s ed on

New YorkCity’s City’s boroughs.

Domestic violence ofofNew York Domestic violence Gabat currently hasboroughs. only supervised visitation with the advocates havein long recognized one the advocates long recognized one ofofthe child, and ahave trial ACS’s child abuse case is scheduled biggest hurdles survivors seeking help the the for the fall.

The outcome of this trial will determine biggest hurdles totosurvivors seeking help isisthe final visitation and which custody issues. physical distance whichoften often separatesthem them physical distance separates fromservice service providers, law enforcement centers from providers, law centers “InMotion gave me Erin —enforcement and she in turn gave me and our City’s courts. andcourage our City’s the to courts. stand up to my ex-husband and fight to

THE BACK ERIOR FLAP

protect my daughter,” states Malaya. “We are safe now and don’tservices have to be afraid.”

Legal services agenciesare arescarce scarce Legal agencies In a county of over 2.2 million people, only nine In a county of over 2.2 million people, only nine Queens-based legal services lawyers and legal Queens-based legal services lawyers and legal assistantsserve servelow-income low-incomeclients clientswho whoneed need assistants court. Elena bravely testified at the inquest about the matrimonialand andfamily familylaw lawassistance. assistance. matrimonial lence she had suffered and the judge granted Elena order of protection for five years—the longest the law The numbers speak for themselves The numbers speak themselves ows. Erin finalized Elena’s divorce atfor the inquest and incidents domestic violencehusband werereported reported incidents ofofdomestic violence were tained 45,877 a45,877 default judgment against Elena’s Twenty-six percentofofall all Queens last year. percent ininQueens last ich required him toyear. payTwenty-six spousal maintenance of domestic homicides theCity CityofofNew New York were domestic the were 000/month for homicides six monthsininand awarded allYork marital reported QueensCounty.

County.Citywide Citywidethe thepolice police ssessions to Elena. reported ininQueens * *domestic 229,354 domesticviolence violenceincidents incidents respondedtoto229,354 responded na was ecstatic with the outcome of her cases. Although last year; averaging over 600 incidents per day. last year; averaging over 600 incidents per day. ere is still a warrant out for her ex-husband’s arrest, Inaddition, addition, theNYPD’s NYPD’sDomestic DomesticViolence ViolenceUnit Unit the e feels In safe knowing * *home 76,602 home visits in 2007, a conducted 76,602 visits in 2007, a conducted t she has a five-year ninety-eightpercent percentincrease increasesince since2002.

2002. ninety-eight der of protection.

Source:Mayor’s Mayor’sOffice OfficetotoCombat CombatDomestic DomesticViolence, Violence, * *Source:

ena spoke recently Domestic ViolenceFact FactSheet SheetCalendar CalendarYear Year2007.

2007.

Domestic Violence an inMotion event d shared, “When I OurQueens Queensaddress address Our me to the United inMotion, Inc. inMotion, tes, I believed that I Inc. New York City FamilyJustice JusticeCenter, Center,Queens Queens New York City Family uld be happy in this 126-02 82nd Avenue 126-02 82nd Avenue untry, and I found KewGardens, Gardens,NY NY11415 11415 Kew t that people here e about others and Tel 718.575.4500 718.575.4500 Tel p you if you ask for help. I was all alone, no friends or Fax 718.268.3120 Fax 718.268.3120 mily, but I found my family in inMotion. Erin Abrams Emailinfo@inmotiononline.org info@inmotiononline.org Email s the first person who helped me with my divorce case. e was so attentive to my problems. Since I found Erin ough inMotion, things have been getting better and ter every day. Thank you, Erin. You’re such a wonderful rson and God bless you for all the work that you do women in need like me.”

Getinvolved. involved.Learn Learnmore. more.

Get www.inmotiononline.org www.inmotiononline.org

* Client names have been changed to protect their identities.

at inMotion

Forthe thepast pastyear, year, ErinAbrams, Abrams, Esq., second-year litigation associate Fried, For Esq., aasecond-year associate atatFried, This Erin summer, Willkie Farr & Gallagherlitigation LLP became our fourth Corporate Partner law firm to Frank,Harris, Harris,establish Shriver&&aJacobson Jacobson LLP, hasworked worked full-timewith with asour our Frank, Shriver LLP, has as litigation externship at full-time inMotion.

On inMotion ainMotion four-month rotating basis, the firm will FriedFrank FrankFellow.

Fellow.

Her ardent legaladvocacy advocacy andto forceful litigationat skills have office at the New York Fried ardent legal and forceful litigation skills lend aHer highly committed associate work full-time our have Queens broughtfreedom, freedom, safetyand andfinancial financial securityto to28 28indigent indigentwomen womenand andtheir their brought safety City Family Justice Center.security children—most ofwhom whom arevictims victimsofofdomestic domestic violence—in highly contested children—most are violence—in Weofare excited to welcome Lisa Dennis Bentley, highly Esq., acontested fifth-year litigation divorcesand andassociate, familylaw lawascases. cases.

We would like to share just two Erin’shardharddivorces family We would like to share just two ofofErin’s the firm’s first inMotion extern. foughtvictories victorieson onbehalf behalfofofinMotion inMotionclients clientsliving livingininQueens.

Queens. fought “I am excited to join the inMotion team at the Queens Family Justice Center and eager to beginand whatabused will no doubt be afind challenging rewarding experience Battered mother and abused infant find safetyand and financial independence Battered mother infant safety and financial independence providing legal services to those most in need.” ** aa 28-year-old Malaya contacted contacted inMotion inMotion when when her her husband husband served served After abusing abusing Malaya, Malaya, 28-year-old immigrant immigrant mother mother Malaya After herwith with divorce papers.cases, Erinimmediately immediatelytook tookon onthe the fromthe thePhilippines, Philippines, and their infant daughter, Malaya’s divorce papers.

Erin from and their Malaya’s Lisa will focus on ourinfant most daughter, urgent and complex her family and matrimonial divorce and Family Court matters and and helped helped Malaya Malaya husbandforcibly forciblythrew threw hiswife wifeand and daughterout outof oftheir their divorce and Court matters husband his daughter providing direct legal representation to inMotion clients inFamily Queens County file an answer answer to to her her husband’s husband’s divorce divorce complaint complaint familyhome. home. file an family Family, Supreme and Integrated Domestic Violence Courts. in Queens Queens Supreme Supreme Court.

Court. The The divorce divorce action action soon soon in o u nt s, MMaalal ayya a rreec c ounts, becamehotly hotlycontested, contested,asascomplex complexissues issuesof ofequitable equitable became “Gabat didnot notwant want “Gabat did aa About our litigation externship program distribution arose, arose, including including appraising appraising the the marital marital distribution daughter — he wanted daughter — he wanted Our externships offer law firms the opportunity to nurture their most litigation associates residence and thepromising valueof ofthe the husband’s pension. residence and the value husband’s pension. son.Eight Eight dayshours after and enhancing the firm’s profile in the legal and aason. days after while increasing their overall pro bono In May May of of 2008, 2008, Erin Erin settled settled the the divorce divorce case case for for I gave birth, he beat In I gave birth, he beat corporate community.

Malaya on on extremely extremely favorable favorable terms. terms. As As aa result result of of mewith withhis hisfists fistsuntil until Malaya me Under the supervision Iofwas ourblack experienced staff, forceful litigation externsGabat provide direct legal Erin’s advocacy, wasrequired required tobuy buyout out andblue. blue.legal Erin’s forceful advocacy, Gabat was to I was black and representation to womenOur whodaughter contact inMotion emergency cases presenting significant andher legal Malaya’s share of of their their co-op and and distribute was in in with Malaya’s share co-op distribute her legal Our daughter was compelling challenges—often appearing in court with new clients with less than 24-hours notice. shareof ofhis hispension pensionon onan anaccelerated acceleratedschedule. schedule.Malaya Malaya theroom roomand andcrying. crying. share the InMotion externs manage cases average at also least three court appearances a weekthat in the was alsoallowed allowed toreclaim reclaim theproperty property that sheleft leftin in He20–25 would notand let me me was to the she He would not let City’s courts. the marital residence when she fled.

In addition, Erin go to her.

In a rage go to her. In a rage the marital residence when she fled. In addition, Erin helped Malayasecure secure anthe order ofprotection, protection, custodyof of hescreamed, screamed, ‘Shut-up!

Shut-up!

Youare are bitchjust just like helped Malaya an order of custody he Shut-up!

You aabitch Our ‘Shut-up! extern program offers associates thelike unique opportunity to take lead on important her daughter and statutory child support. your mother,’ and shook our baby daughter violently.” her daughter and statutory child support. your mother,’ and shook our baby daughterwith violently.” contested matters and to interact judges and opposing counsel early in their litigation careers by appearing regularly in court to advocate on behalf of New York City’s mostsupervised vulnerablevisitation families.

Gabat currently hasonly only supervised visitation with with the the After fleeing with her daughter to her parent’s small Gabat currently has After fleeing with her daughter to her parent’s small child,and and trialin incall ACS’s childabuse abusecase case scheduled apartment Queens, Malaya went went Family Court totoexternship child, aatrial ACS’s child isisscheduled apartment ininmore Queens, Malaya toto Family Court For information about our litigation program, 646.442.1172 or email for the fall.

The outcome of this trial will determine the seekan anorder order of protection, legal custody of her daughter for the fall.

The outcome of this trial will determine the seek of protection, legal custody of her daughter externprogram@inmotiononline.org. finalvisitation visitationand andcustody custodyissues. issues. andan anorder orderofofchild childsupport. support.Gabat Gabatdid didnot notwant wanttotopay pay final and childsupport. support.He Heimmediately immediatelyfiled filedaacross-petition cross-petitionfor for “InMotion gave me Erin — and she in turn gave me child “InMotion gave me Erin — and she in turn gave me custodyand andvisitation. visitation.The TheAdministration AdministrationofofChildren’s Children’s the courage to stand up to my ex-husband and fight to custody the courage to stand up to my ex-husband and fight to Boardand of Directors Junior Advisory Board Welcome on board!

Services (ACS) (ACS) reviewed the the petitions petitions and initiated protect my daughter,” Services reviewed initiated states Malaya.

Malaya. “We “We are are safe safe now now protect my daughter,” states Thisneglect past year, Steven P. Clausen Kheel neglect andinMotion abuseproceedings proceedingsagainst against Gabat basedon on and don’t have Kathleen and abuse Gabat based tobe beafraid.” afraid.” and don’t have to Ernst & Young Malaya’s allegations.

Malaya’s welcomed 10allegations. new members J. Warfield Price

to our Board of Directors and

Timothy R. Coleman

The Blackstone Group Mail-order bride escapes violent marriage Mail-order bride escapes marriage Junior Advisory Board.

We areviolent

JPMorgan

Cathyin Kaplan, Esq. ** met incourt. court.Elena Elenabravely bravelytestified testifiedatatthe theinquest inquestabout aboutthe the Elena met her her future husband, Georgios, 2006 in Elena future husband, inM.2006 fortunate to have these highly Georgios, Sidley Austin LLP violence she had suffered and the judge granted Elena onaadedicated website sitefor for mail-order brides while she lived in violence she had suffered and the judge granted Elena on web mail-order brides while she lived in individuals join Kaspi, Esq. anorder orderof ofprotection protectionfor forfive fiveyears—the years—thelongest longestthe thelaw law Russia.Two Twomonths monthsafter aftertheir theirfirst firstonline onlineElena encounter, an Russia. encounter, our work.

LawScope Coaching allows.Erin Erinfinalized finalizedElena’s Elena’sdivorce divorceatatthe theinquest inquestand and Georgios flew flew Elena Elena toto the the United United States States and, and, after after aa allows.

Georgios Michael A. Kramer obtained aa default default judgment judgment against against Elena’s Elena’s husband husband briefcourtship, courtship,they theymarried. married.Elena’s Elena’shoneymoon honeymoon soon obtained brief soon Perella Weinberg Partners LP which required required him him to to pay pay spousal spousal maintenance maintenance of of turnedinto intoaaviolent violentnightmare. nightmare. which turned Nina McLemore $1,000/month for six months and awarded all marital $1,000/month for six months and awarded all marital Georgiosquickly quicklytook tookcontrol controlofofElena’s Elena’slife. life.Nina McLemore, Inc. Hebecame became Georgios He possessions to Elena. increasingly abusive—first abusive—first verbally, verbally, and and then then physically.

Edward A. Mulé possessions to Elena. increasingly physically.

Silver Point Capital Elenawas wasecstatic ecstaticwith withthe theoutcome outcomeof ofher hercases. cases.Although Although Georgiostreated treatedher herlike likeaaservant servantand anddemanded demandedthat that Elena Georgios Sarat Sethi there isis still still aa warrant warrant out out for for her her ex-husband’s ex-husband’s arrest, arrest, shecall callhim him‘sir.’ ‘sir.’He Heoften oftenflew flewinto intouncontrollable uncontrollable rages; there she rages; Douglas C. Lane & Associates, Inc. she feels feels safe safe knowing knowing severephysical physicaland andsexual sexualabuse abusebecame becameaadaily daily torment. she severe torment. that she has a five-year Duringtheir theirsix-month six-monthmarriage, marriage,Elena Elenafled fledseveral severaltimes times that she has a five-year During orderofofprotection. protection.

Corporate Partners order but,without withoutfamily familyor ormoney, money,she shewas waspersuaded persuadedtotoreturn return but, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP Elena spoke spoke recently recently Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP byher herhusband’s husband’spromises promisestotochange. change.But Butsadly, sadly,nothing nothing Elena by Robert E. Crotty, Esq. Mary Elizabeth McGarry, Esq. Kim Koopersmith, Esq. an inMotion inMotion event event changed.Georgios Georgioscontinued continuedtotoabuse abuseand andrape rapeElena.

Elena. atat an changed.

Litowitz Berger Grossmannwhere LLP King husband & Spalding and shared, “When I Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP AfterBernstein particularly severe&incident incident her shared, “When I After aa particularly severe where her husband and Margaret E. O’Neil, Esq. Lauren E. Aguiar, Esq. John C. Browne, Esq. came to to the the United United threatened to kill her and attempted to break her arms, came threatened to kill her and attempted to break her arms, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP Bloomberg States,I Ibelieved believedthat thatII Elena called called the the police. police. Georgios Georgios was was arrested arrested and and States, Elena Robert N. Michaelson, Esq. Sandra D. Hauser, Esq. Boies,with Schiller & Flexner LLP and harassment. would be happy in this charged criminal assault Elena fled would be happy in this charged with criminal assault and harassment. Elena fled Lehman Brothers Inc. Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP Alan B. Vickery, Esq. country, and and II found found Robert Lewin, Esq. domesticviolence violenceshelter. shelter.When Whenher herhusband husband filed country, totoaadomestic filed Martha E. Solinger, Esq. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP out that that people people here here fordivorce divorceaamonth monthlater, later,Elena Elenahired hiredaaprivate privateattorney attorney out for Darin P. McAtee, Esq. McKee Nelson LLP Sullivan & Cromwell LLP care about about others others and and Penny Shane, Esq. answerher herhusband’s husband’scomplaint complaintwith withthe theBarbara D. Klippert, Esq. last ofof her her care totoanswer last Davis Polk & Wardwell helpyou youififyou you askfor forhelp. help.

Iwas wasall all& alone, no friendsor or savings, butquickly quicklyran ranout outofofmoney. money.She Shethen then turned help ask alone, no friends savings, but turned toto Hadley Milbank, Tweed, & McCloy LLP Weil,I Gotshal Manges LLP Gail A. Flesher, Esq. family,but butI Ifound foundmy myfamily family ininMotion. inMotion.Erin ErinAbrams Abrams inMotionfor forhelp, help,and andErin Erintook tookon onher hercase. case.Elliot Gewirtz, Esq. family, in inMotion James W. Quinn, Esq. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP was thefirst first personwho whohelped helped mewith with mydivorce divorcecase. case. the Glynna K. Christian, Esq. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLPperson White &me Case LLP my As soon soon Erin began began representing representing Elena, Elena, the order order was As asas Erin the Shewas wasso soattentive attentiveto tomy my problems.Since SinceIIfound foundErin Erin Jack E. Pace III, Esq. Alan M. Knoll, Esq. She problems. protection petition, criminal case and and divorce divorce Fried, Frank, Harris, Shrivercriminal & Jacobsoncase LLP ofof protection petition, through inMotion,things things haveFarr been gettingLLP betterand and through inMotion, have been getting better Shearman & Sterling LLP Willkie & Gallagher Janice Mac Avoy, Esq. actionwere wereconsolidated consolidatedininQueens QueensCounty CountyIntegrated Integrated action better every day.

Thank you, Erin.

You’re such a wonderful William J.F. Roll III, Esq. Martin B. Klotz, Esq. better every day.

Thank you, Erin.

You’re such a wonderful Greenberg Traurig, Court.

LLP Domestic Violence Court. During During the the course course of of the the Domestic Violence personand andGod Godbless blessyou you forFinancial allthe theServices workthat thatyou youdo do for all work Sidley Austin LLP person Zurich Stephen L. Rabinowitz, Esq. family offenseproceedings, proceedings,Elena’s Elena’shusband husband defaulted. family offense defaulted.

Cathy M. Kaplan, Esq. Christian Halabi, Esq. forwomen womenin inneed needlike likeme.” me.” for Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP warrantwas wasissued issuedfor forhis hisarrest, arrest,but buthe hedid didnot notappear appear AAwarrant Vilia B. Hayes, Esq. Clientnames nameshave havebeen beenchanged changedtotoprotect protecttheir theiridentities. identities. **Client

70 West 36th Street Suite 903 New York, NY 10018 Tel 212.695.3800 Fax 212.695.9519 Email info@inmotiononline.org

Lasting legal solutions for families in domestic crisis Since 1993, inMotion has confronted the challenging needs of families in crisis by providing free legal and social services to low-income, under-served, abused women and their children. We have helped thousands of women free themselves from abusive relationships, stay in their homes and win the financial support to which they—and their children—are legally entitled.

Our congratulations to Milbank!

NYSBA 2008 President’s Pro Bono Service Award

Photo by Colleen Brescia.

We are proud to have supported the nomination of our long-standing Corporate Partner, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, to receive the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) 2008 President’s Pro Bono Service Award for a large law firm.

Joseph S. Genova, Esq., Milbank partner and director of public service, pictured with The Honorable Judith S. Kaye, Chief Judge of the State of New York, at Law Day in Albany, NY.

On May 1, the NYSBA recognized Milbank’s outstanding commitment to improving the greater public good through pro bono service at its 18th annual award ceremony on Law Day in Albany, New York.

Nurturing a strong culture of pro bono service As a firm, Milbank has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to pro bono work.

Each year, attorneys working in its domestic offices are required to dedicate at least 20 hours to pro bono matters. Last year, 90% of the lawyers based in New York City devoted their time to pro bono matters, providing 27,290 hours of pro bono service, with an average of 87 donated hours per attorney.

“We are proud of this recognition by the New York State Bar Association,” states Joseph Genova, the firm’s director of public service. By teaming with dedicated experts like the

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staff of inMotion, our lawyers have the chance to live the motto of equal justice under law by rendering much needed service to some of the most vulnerable clients unable to afford counsel.”

Deep commitment to NYC women and children InMotion and the families we serve have benefited greatly from Milbank’s unwavering commitment to public service. Milbank has been actively involved in inMotion’s work since 1995. In 2007 alone, 47 lawyers from the firm (including seven partners, 13 summer associates and seven legal assistants) donated 1,621 hours to represent 41 clients in inMotion matters.

We honored Milbank associate Alyssa A. Rower, Esq. at our 2008 Commitment to Justice Awards ceremony in February for her representation of a Latina mother of two children, one autistic.

With the full support of the firm, Alyssa’s skillful and dedicated advocacy resulted in a child support allocation which not only maximized the family’s income but also retained Medicaid eligibility for her client’s autistic son and health care for the entire family. Thanks to Alyssa’s dedication, skillful negotiation and advocacy, her client retained custody of her children and obtained a speedy and favorable decision in a visitation matter.

Milbank associate Alyssa A. Rower, Esq., 2008 winner of an inMotion Commitment to Justice Award.

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