Bar Association of Erie County

Serving the Legal Community and the Public in Western New York

Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc.

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Information for Attorneys:

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the main office.

700 Statler Towers
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-847-0662
fax 716-847-0307

VLP Partner Law firms:

Hodgson Russ, LLP
Jaeckle, Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP
Phillips, Lytle LLP
Cellino & Barnes, PC

Attorney Volunteers

Thank you for your interest in the BAEC Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. (VLP). The VLP was established in 1982 by the Bar Association of Erie County and Neighborhood Legal Services. VLP's mission is to coordinate and assist local attorneys in the efficient delivery of quality pro bono civil legal services to low income people and smaller not for profit groups in Erie County.

Your Pro Bono Help Is Needed

Without the help of pro bono attorneys, hundreds of low-income Erie County residents with significant legal problems will not receive the legal help they urgently need this year.

Existing legal assistance programs cannot handle the volume of need in our community. A 1989 state-wide study commissioned by the New York State Bar Association concluded that only 14% of the legal needs of the poor are currently being met. Since then, the two biggest funders of civil legal services for the poor have reduced their funding across the board. They are the federally funded Legal Services Corporation (LSC) and the NY Interest on Lawyer Accounts Fund (IOLA) (IOLA's funding was reduced due to the drop in interest rates). By doing your pro bono work through VLP, you will assist VLP in documenting the amount of pro bono work being done in Erie County while assisting clients who would otherwise go without the help of an attorney.

Every effort is made to tailor our procedures to suit the needs of volunteers, so that referrals may be made in a manner which will avoid undue disruption of a volunteer attorney's schedule.

A Small Commitment

We are asking you to represent one to three income-eligible clients per year at no fee. That is the extent of your commitment. You are probably already doing at least that much pro bono work on your own. VLP helps spread the pro bono workload. VLP volunteers may refer their own indigent clients to VLP.

Cases Match Your Interests and Schedule

After the case has been screened (for the client's financial eligibility and for case merit) and accepted by VLP, the project staff will:

• Refer the case to you based upon your expressed interests.
• Select the case and its timing to meet your schedule and other time commitments.
• Discuss the case thoroughly with you before you decide to accept it.
• Provide you with a written assessment of the case.
• Stay involved to provide help as needed.

The Practical Benefits To You

VLP provides its volunteers with many benefits which ensure that high quality legal services are provided to VLP clients and which serve as a thank you to our volunteers:

• Calendar preferences in many courts for your VLP cases.
• VLP maintains a library of dozens of training materials, video tapes of trainings and reference books, most of which are available for loan to volunteers.
• VLP training programs presented by experts in various areas of law affecting VLP clients.
• A consultants panel of experienced attorneys who share their expertise with volunteers.
• Additional back-up support and advice when needed.
• Sample pleadings and forms.
• Use of video equipment for VLP cases.
• Malpractice insurance at no cost to all volunteer attorneys to cover claims arising from the handling of VLP cases.

VLP - A Source of Professional Pride

800 attorneys in Erie County already participate in the program.

VLP's Attorney of the Morning Program received an award from the New York State Bar Association.

Over 20 of our volunteers have received the NYS Bar Association President's Pro Bono Award for the 8th Judicial District:

These outstanding efforts create good publicity for the Bar and is a source of pride for all of us connected with the legal profession.

Your work through VLP will help demonstrate that Erie County attorneys are willing to do their pro bono work on a voluntary basis.

Code of Professional Responsibility

Ethical Consideration 2-25

A lawyer has an obligation to render public interest and pro bono legal service. A lawyer may fulfill this responsibility by providing professional services at no fee or at a reduced fee to individuals of limited financial means or to public service or charitable groups or organizations, or by participation in programs and organizations specifically designed to increase the availability of legal services. In addition, lawyers or law firms are encouraged to supplement this responsibility through the financial and other support of organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.

To volunteer a small amount of your time:

• Call us at 716-847-0662, ext. 12 or
• E-mail us: relardo@wnylc.com, please provide your name, law firm, address, phone number, year admitted to practice, any foreign languages that you speak, and the types of cases that you would like to handle.

Cases Handled Through VLP

Assistive Technology

Hearings to try obtain specialized medical equipment for handicapped and disabled clients. This equipment has been deemed "medically necessary" by the treating physician, but medicaid has refused to authorize payment for it.

Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcies

Consumer Problems

Court Evaluators For Article 81 Guardianships

Debt Collection Defense

Family Law

Divorce, child support (if the other side has an attorney), non-parent custody petitioners, adoptions, guardianships of children, stand-by guardianships of children, guardianships of mentally retarded and developmentally disabled persons (SCPA Article 17-A), paternity petitioners.

Housing

Defending mortgage foreclosures, defending tax foreclosures, clearing title to the home that the client lives in.

Defending evictions: in the City of Buffalo only, show up at Court on scheduled date and represent low income tenants facing eviction that morning through VLP's award-winning Attorney of the Morning Program. We have coordinators on-site to do client intake/screenings and to assist you. Commitment to cases is for that morning only.

Income Tax

Post filing problems with IRS

Immigration Law

Aliens detained by INS for hearings in Buffalo or Batavia, Immigrant victims of domestic violence, those seeking political asylum, Immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship.

Not-for-profit Groups

For smaller organizations that focus on assisting the poor, the elderly, the handicapped or the disabled. Assistance with getting incorporated, obtaining tax exempt status, or other legal problems.

Permanency Planning

For children of families affected by HIV/AIDS.

SSI Disability

Tort Defendants

Unemployment Insurance

Help with hearings before the Administrative Law Judge.

Wills And Powers Of Attorney