VLSP is now JustCause
Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County Inc. has changed its name to JustCause. The re-branding is a reflection of the 40-year-old agency’s permanent status in the community, instead of a name that might suggest a limited-time initiative. “We’ve grown out of being a project,” JustCause executive director Tina Monshipour Foster said after a news […]
VLSP and courts launch virtual legal help center
The Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County Inc. and the Seventh Judicial District have launched a virtual legal help center and are seeking volunteer attorneys to support the effort. In an effort to serve the public while reducing foot traffic at the Hall of Justice, and following the closure of the Rochester Public Library, […]
‘Justice Society’ reception wraps up 2017 Campaign for Justice
For 30 years, Volunteer Legal Services Project Inc. has spearheaded an annual campaign to fund services and programs provided by the Legal Aid Society of Rochester, Legal Assistance of Western New York, and VLSP. A donor reception at the Memorial Art Gallery on March 22 wrapped up another successful campaign. Campaign Co-Chairs Karen Schaeffer, Thomas […]
VLSP introduces Tina Foster as new executive director
A 2000 graduate of Cornell Law School, Tina Monshipour Foster started her legal career in New York City, serving as a law clerk in the U.S. Court of International Trade before joining Clifford Chance U.S. LLP — one of the biggest law firms in the country. Gaining experience in security litigation and working with white […]
Campaign for Justice on track for Nov. 15 launch
Just as sure as Labor Day comes each September, kids go back to school and the Rochester legal community gears up for the annual Campaign for Justice, a fundraising initiative in its 25th year, supporting Volunteer Legal Services Project, Inc. (VLSP), Legal Aid Society of Rochester (LAS) and Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY). […]
Art of Lawyering Committee planning October event
The Art of Lawyering fundraiser for Volunteer Legal Services is slated for Oct. 19. David Tennant (Nixon Peabody LLP) and Mary Ognibene (McConville, Considine, Cooman & Morin PC) serve as co-chairs of this year’s event, which will be held at Village Gate from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Several items, including those pictured here, have been donated already. […]
Sheila Gaddis receives Bridge Builder Award
The Rochester Black Bar Association continues to demonstrate its dedication to building bridges and breaking down barriers in the community. The Bridge Builder Award, now in its seventh year, was presented to Sheila A. Gaddis on Thursday at a “Bridges to Success” networking event held at the First Federal Plaza. RBBA President Duwaine Bascoe (Woods […]
Pro Bono Spotlight: Technology brings legal services to rural residents
In 1977, Paul E. Richardson was in law school in Syracuse and the practice of law looked quite a bit different than it does today. He recalls working at IBM after earning his undergraduate degree at Hampton University, then his first position after law school at the Onondaga County Attorney’s office. “Nothing was automated,” Richardson […]
Pro Bono Spotlight: Pro se litigants seek practical guidance
On April 12, Mark Whitford, partner at Barclay Damon, accrued a couple hours of pro bono credit while helping four low-income unrepresented litigants and collaborating with two UB law students at the Federal Pro Se Assistance Program (PSAP). In the two-hour window in Rochester’s Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building he met with four pro se […]
William E. McKnight Award: Spatorico, Fortuna-Valentine work hard for clients in need
Two local attorneys — Derrick Spatorico and Alissa Fortuna-Valentine — have been selected to receive the Volunteer Legal Services Project’s William E. McKnight Award. The award is named in honor of the first African-American partner at Nixon Peabody LLP. He served on the VLSP board and was dedicated to equal justice. Derrick Spatorico is a […]
Pro Bono Spotlight: ‘Art of Lawyering’ is recruiting artists and guests
Oct. 19 may seem like a long time from now, but not to the committee organizing the 2017 Art of Lawyering fundraiser for Volunteer Legal Services Project, Inc. “October will be here in the blink of an eye,” said David Tennant, AOL Committee Co-Chair. “We are excited about having the silent auction at Village Gate […]
‘Justice Society’ reception acknowledges CFJ donors
To celebrate the final days of the 2016 Campaign for Justice, the current CFJ co-chairs — T. Andrew Brown, Thomas Durkin and Meghan Dorritie — along with many Campaign for Justice Cabinet members gathered March 23 for the Justice Society Donor Reception held at the Memorial Art Gallery. Brown spoke briefly on behalf of the […]
Case Digests
- Fourth Department – Negligent performance: Rosenthal v. Syracuse University, et al.
- Second Circuit – Visual Artists Rights Act: Kerson v. Vermont Law School Inc.
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Former foreclosure referee: Opinion 22-157
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – College honorarium: Opinion 22-156
- Second Circuit – Reasonable accommodation: Tafolla v. Heilig
- Fourth Department – Labor Law: Primisch v. Peroxychem LLC
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Judicial candidacy: Opinion 22-155
- Fourth Department – Defamation: Lavine v. Glavin
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Law clerk: Opinion 22-154
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Review of another judge’s actions: Opinion 22-153
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Charitable contributions: Opinion 22-150
- Second Circuit – Class action settlement: Moses v. The New York Times Company
Law News
- Appeals court upholds conviction
- Federal lawsuit reinstated against jail officer over strip search, delayed release
- Hyzon to pay $25M penalty to settle alleged fraud charges by SEC
- NY appeals court reinstates lawsuit over contract to remove snow
- Fourth Department affirms $400K judgment in contract dispute
- Fourth Department affirms decision in NY property dispute
- Greenlight Networks selects Buffalo-based attorney as general counsel
- Barclay Damon hires attorney Matt Smith