LSHV Honors Pro Bono Volunteers

WHITE PLAINS – Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) was honored to recognize several of our distinguished volunteers and partners during National Pro Bono Week (October 20-26, 2019). National Pro Bono Week celebrates efforts to enhance and expand pro bono work to increase access to justice. As the only provider of free, comprehensive civil (non-criminal) legal services to low-income and vulnerable individuals and families in the Hudson Valley who cannot afford an attorney when their basic human needs are at stake, LSHV relies on pro bono volunteers to help meet the high demand for services which cannot be met by the in-house legal staff alone.

LSHV’s Pro Bono Week Awards Ceremony was held Tuesday, October 22, at LSHV’s headquarters office in White Plains. This year, LSHV honored:

• Justice Sam D. Walker, Supreme Court Justice and Chair of the Pro Bono Committee for the 9th Judicial District, for his dedication to pro bono representation and pro se support of low-income persons throughout the 9th Judicial District
• Whitney Singleton, of Singleton, Davis, & Singleton, PLLC, for his representation as pro bono guardian ad litem for disabled clients, and
• In-House Volunteers of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley: Hana Appel Nicholas Claps, Zoe Gold, Emma Van Lent, Martha Lichtblau, and Elisa Tustian, for their dedication to assisting LSHV clients and staff by volunteering thousands of hours of time to the agency

During the event, LSHV Pro Bono Director Christopher Oldi said, “We consistently hear from our volunteers that helping someone who cannot afford an attorney, and who most likely would lose their case if they represented themselves pro se, is a life-changing experience. In addition to helping someone in need, doing pro bono work also allows volunteers to challenge themselves with new experiences and gain valuable skills. Whether you are in the beginning, middle, or later stages of your career, pro bono work is an opportunity for professional development and connection.”

About Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

LSHV is the only provider of free, comprehensive civil (non-criminal) legal services to low-income and disadvantaged individuals and families who cannot afford an attorney when their basic human needs are at stake. This includes urgent legal needs such as: domestic violence (orders of protection, child custody, etc.), housing emergencies (eviction and foreclosure prevention), healthcare, children's law and advocacy, disability and benefits, elder law, consumer fraud and more. Founded more than 50 years ago, LSHV serves the seven counties of the lower and mid-Hudson Valley (Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan), maintaining a staff of 165 individuals – including 100 attorneys and 30 paralegals – working across ten offices throughout its service area.

For more information about Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, to volunteer, or contribute, please visit www.lshv.org, or contact Avery Zuvic, Assistant Director of Development, at 914-949-1305 x175.