Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to Hold 1st Annual Orange Partners in Justice Reception

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) has announced that it will honor Andrew Finkelstein, Esq., Partner at Finkelstein & Partners LLP as “Champion of Justice” and the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region as “Advocate for Justice” at its 1st Annual Orange Partners in Justice Reception. The event is a fundraiser to support the organization’s housing work in Orange County through its LET JUSTICE GROW 50th Anniversary Campaign. The Orange Partners in Justice Reception will be held on Thursday, May 18, 5:30 pm – 7:30 p.m., at The Powelton Club in Newburgh.

The mission of the organization is to provide free, high quality counsel in civil matters for poor and low-income individuals and families who cannot afford to pay an attorney where basic human needs are at stake. LSHV is the only provider of comprehensive civil legal services to seven counties of the Mid- and Lower-Hudson Valley (Orange, Sullivan, Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester). In 2016, its 136-member staff handled 15,521 cases (2,333 in Orange County alone) for 12,389 clients, including 8,433 women, 1,683 survivors of domestic violence, and 5,509 persons with disabilities. It impacted 36,021 individuals in all households served. LSHV has provided services in Orange County, NY since 2004.

Mr. Finkelstein and his firm will be honored for their support of LSHV, as well as for business achievement and community involvement throughout the Hudson Valley. Since 1959 Finkelstein & Partners has been dedicated to providing unsurpassed legal representation and client service to the victims of serious injuries and their families. The firm’s clients are usually hard-working people whose lives have been set on an unexpected path through no fault of their own. By holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable, it is often able to provide monetary relief to its clients, as well as peace of mind knowing that it may have reduced the likelihood of others being injured. Like Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Finkelstein and Partners is committed to providing Hudson Valley residents with high quality legal guidance. Mr. Finkelstein said “We are grateful to Legal Services of the Hudson Valley for serving the less fortunate in our community. Through the years it has been our honor to assist in LSHV’s mission, whether this be through pro bono legal services or raising contributions at our CLE classes. We are humbled and very appreciative to be this year’s LSHV honoree. We deeply believe in the LSHV’s philosophy of providing equal access to justice for all. Rights without the ability to enforce or defend them amount to no rights at all. Individuals whose rights are in jeopardy or being violated must have access to our judicial system, especially those served by LSHV. Our judicial system must first be for the most needy, the disenfranchised, the population who may not be able to afford a lawyer. Finkelstein & Partners stands with LSHV, advocating for all of our common good - to protect our core Constitutional rights. The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region will be honored for its support of LSHV’s housing programs, and for its philanthropic leadership, in the two counties. United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in the community. In 2015-16, charitable contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations to United Way’s Community Fund supported nonprofit community partners in delivering services to almost 125,000 residents of Dutchess and Orange Counties.

“United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region is proud that Legal Services of the Hudson Valley is one of our Community Partners. We strongly support Legal Services’ aim to provide free, high quality counsel in civil matters to individuals and families who cannot afford to pay an attorney where basic human needs are at stake,” remarked Jeannie Montano, President & CEO of United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. “Through Legal Services of the Hudson Valley’s commitment to equal access to justice for all, our partnership coincides with United Way’s goals.”

LSHV’s CEO, Barbara Finkelstein explained why the awareness-raising 1st Orange Partners in Justice event deserves support, saying “Since 1967, we have been assuring fairness in the justice system — regardless of income — to hundreds of thousands of our neighbors who have nowhere else to turn. The work we do each day provides free civil legal services to those who can’t afford an attorney when necessities of life are at stake.”

This year’s event sponsors include: Gold -- Finkelstein & Partners, LLP; Silver -- Empire State Bank; Bronze -- Catania Mahon Milligram & Rider, PLLC; Orange & Rockland Utilities; and United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region.

18 community leaders have lent their support to LSHV and this program by serving on the Honorary Event Committee.

Tickets to the event start at $50. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are also available. For more information about the event, or to purchase ads or tickets, call LSHV’s Assistant Development Director Loretta Spence at (845) 471-0058, x. 423, e-mail lspence@lshv.org, or visit http://weblink.donorperfect.com/2017OPIJ.

Photos Included: Andrew Finkelstein, Esq., Partner at Finkelstein & Partners LLP and Jeannie Montano, President & CEO of United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region.