LSHV Hosted 5th Annual Dutchess Partners in Justice Reception

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY: On Thursday, September 20th, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) held its 5th Annual Dutchess Partners in Justice Reception at Locust Grove Estate in Poughkeepsie, NY. During the fundraising event, which benefitted LSHV’s provision of civil legal services for children and families in Dutchess County, the organization honored Dr. Elizabeth Howe Bradley, President, and Vassar College, as “Champion of Justice” and Feldman, Kleidman, Coffey, Sappe & Regenbaum as “Advocate for Justice.” Almost 175 people attended the networking reception catered by Twisted Soul Food Concepts, and almost 50 community leaders lent their support to the organization as Honorary Event Committee Members.

Now in its 51st year, LSHV is the only provider in the Hudson Valley of free, comprehensive, legal services in civil matters (noncriminal) for 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, housing emergencies including eviction and foreclosure prevention, healthcare, disability and benefits, elder law, consumer fraud and more. In 2017, LSHV handled close to 15,000 cases impacting over 34,000 household members.

LSHV’s Chief Executive Officer, Barbara Finkelstein, explained to the guests in attendance why this event and the work LSHV does is so important, saying, “As the only provider of free civil legal services in the area for individuals and families who cannot afford an attorney when their basic human needs are at stake, we know that the people we help are our neighbors, our daughters and sons… they are just like us, but after one major illness, job loss, or tragedy, the dominoes start to fall, and they end up in a desperate situation and in need of a helping hand.” Oftentimes, people need an attorney to protect their rights and assure fairness in the justice system. That’s where LSHV’s almost 90 attorneys across seven counties make a difference.

Attorney-in-Charge of LSHV’s Poughkeepsie Office, Rachel Saunders, repeated those themes in her remarks, and also spoke of her deep respect for the attorneys and paralegals on her staff, who she described as “fierce and fearless advocates for those in need.”

Dr. Hal Teitelbaum, Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Crystal Run Healthcare introduced Jeffrey Feldman, Founding Partner of Feldman, Kleidman, Coffey, Sappe & Regenbaum, who accepted the award on behalf of the law firm. Feldman, Kleidman, Coffey, Sappe & Regenbaum was honored for its outstanding professional accomplishment, philanthropic support of 30 nonprofit organizations, and service to our community.

Dr. Lisa Kaul, Director, Office of Community-Engaged Learning at Vassar College, presented honoree Dr. Elizabeth Howe Bradley and Vassar College with their award in recognition of leadership and outstanding achievement in the pursuit of diversity, inclusion, and equity in higher education, as well as service to our community. In her remarks, Dr. Bradley noted that while she was initially puzzled about what Vassar College had in common with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, she soon realized that LSHV, like the college and like hospitals, is an institution that serves as a cornerstone and protector of our social order and most cherished values. "I'm truly touched to be honored by Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. This organization provides such an important resource to those in our community who could not otherwise afford it. Our democracy depends on dedicated professionals like those at Legal Services, and I am proud to be in their company," she said.

This year’s Dutchess Partners in Justice sponsors included: Gold – Feldman, Kleidman, Coffey, Sappe & Regenbaum LLP and Vassar College; Silver – Health Quest and McCabe & Mack LLP; Bronze – Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Chuck and Mark Rollins of The Rollins Agency, and Sher Tremonte, LLP; Giving Tree – Jackson Lewis, P.C. and two anonymous individuals. Additionally, iHeart Media Inc. was this year’s Media Sponsor and Adams Fairacre Farms contributed significant in-kind support as Floral Sponsor.

The photo album for this year’s event can be found online at https://www.lshv.org/lshv-photo-gallery/#17LPIK.

Information on LSHV’s programs is available online at www.lshv.org.

Photos:

099 (L-R): Dr. Hal Teitelbaum, Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Crystal Run Healthcare; Jeffrey Feldman, Founding Partner, Feldman, Kleidman, Coffey, Sappe & Regenbaum; Rachel Saunders, Esq., Attorney in Charge of LSHV’s Poughkeepsie Office

112 (L-R): Dr. Lisa Kaul, Director, Office of Community-Engaged Learning at Vassar College; Dr. Elizabeth Howe Bradley, President, Vassar College; Rachel Saunders, Esq., Attorney in Charge of LSHV’s Poughkeepsie Office