Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County Newsletter Winter 2010

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY WINTER 2010OUR MISSION: Improving Health OutcomesTo provide high quality civil The recent recession has healthcare; and to mitigate other Sara Alijewicz, Esq.legal advice, representation and affected not only our com- obstacles to their improved health.education to the disadvantaged munity’s wealth but also its public guardianship for indigent,of Palm Beach County so as very health. It is well-documented The MLP Project Attorney, Sara incompetent individuals who areto protect their personal safety, that there is direct correlation Alijewicz, meets with patients on- unable to make their own medicalenhance their opportunities between healthcare outcomes and site at the Palm Beach County decisions; helping clients to getand living conditions, and socio-economic and environmental Health Department’s Federally reasonable accommodations forpromote self-sufficiency. factors – and the recession has cer- Qualified Health Centers through- their disabilities at work, school, or tainly had a negative impact on the out the county and works closely from landlords; and obtaining lim-2009-2010 mental and physical well-being of with the medical staff at eachBOARD OF DIRECTORS many Palm Beach County resi- Center to identify legal issues that Continued on page 5OFFICERS dents. With unemployment rates at are affecting their patients’ health- record highs, the number of unin- care. Ms. Alijewicz handles a vari- Upcoming Events: 2010Mariano Garcia, Esq. sured patients continues to rise ety of cases in which legal issuesPresident causing many people to put off are exacerbating medical prob- Mar 21 Afternoon Tea for DV much needed medical care because lems. For example, she has several Apr 17 Gift Gathering Gala at theMiriam Acosta-Castriz, Esq. they simply cannot afford it. Even clients who have been deniedSecretary those with insurance are delaying Medicare coverage but who clearly home of Lisa & Rick Roselli some doctor visits and procedures meet the eligibility criteria. She is Apr 24 Gift Gathering Gala atJeffrey Devore, Esq. because of the high cost of co-pays representing them through theVice President and deductibles. The Institute of appeal process because, without the home of Marjorie Medicine recently released a series the Medicare coverage, the clients Gadarian GrahamJerry Beer, Esq. of reports that show that unin- cannot afford much needed med- May 8 22nd Annual Pro BonoTreasurer sured individuals do not receive ical care that is required beyond Recognition Evening needed medical care despite the what is offered at the Centers. & AuctionGary Woodfield, Esq. availability of ‘safety net’ health- Other typical cases that the ProjectImmediate Past President care options. The Institute goes so handles include helping patients WINTER 2010 | 1 far as to say that being uninsured obtain food stamps so that theirTRUSTEES is in itself “hazardous” to a families have enough to eat; assist- patient’s health. Patients are being ing with landlord/tenant issues toDavid Ackerman, Esq. forced to choose between health- resolve environmental issues thatClaire Arnold care and basic necessities. aggravate chronic conditions suchF. Gregory Barnhart, Esq. as allergies or asthma; arrangingBill Bone, Esq. Low-income patients in particularPatrick J. Casey, Esq. face a host of nonmedical problemsHoward Coates, Esq. that often adversely affect theirMelinda Penney Gamot, Esq. health. Only with legal interven-David Gaspari, Esq. tion can many of these nonmedicalCarey Haughwout, Esq. problems be adequatelyThomas Kingcade, Esq. addressed. Thanks to the generousJane Kreusler-Walsh, Esq. support of the QuantumRichard Lubin, Esq. Foundation, the Legal Aid SocietyRafael J. Roca, Esq. has begun a new Medical LegalMichael Salnick, Esq. Partnership Project to help low- income individuals and familiesDIRECTORS with these legal issues … to assure their access to food, housing andJerald Beer, Esq. energy; to ensure their access toRobin Bresky, Esq.Patience BurnsMiriam Acosta-Castriz, Esq.Jeffrey Devore, Esq.Robert H. Friedman, Esq.Mariano Garcia, Esq.Garry Glickman, Esq.Richard Greenfield, Esq.Rosemarie Guerini, Esq.Judith HertanJohn M. Howe, Esq.Phillip Hutchinson, Esq.Denise Rapport Isaacs, Esq.Hank Jackson, Esq.Carole T. KleinNancy LambrechtScott Murray, Esq.Grier Pressly, Esq.Lawrence Rochefort, Esq.Robert M.W. Shalhoub, Esq.Kevin Smith, Esq.Michelle R. Suskauer, Esq.Matthew Triggs, Esq.Victoria Vilchez, Esq.Gary Woodfield, Esq.Gregory M. Yaffa, Esq.LEGAL AID SOCIETY

Letter from the President and Executive DirectorRobert A Bertisch, Esq. Dear Friends,Executive Director This issue of our newsletter will be highlighting the “changing times” that are facing both ourMariano Garcia, Esq. country and consequently Legal Aid. While all of us have had to make adjustments in ourPresident lifestyles to deal with the nation’s current financial downturn, we at Legal Aid are in the process of restructuring our organization to better meet the needs of our evolving client community. As a result of businesses downsizing and Palm Beach County’s double digit unemployment rate, the number of individuals eligible for our services has increased dramatically. In our last issue, we reported on the numerous strategies we were undertaking to assist distressed individuals and families facing mortgage foreclosure including instituting weekly “Foreclosure Day” at Legal Aid as well as weekend “Defense of Mortgage Foreclosure” clinics. We were fortu- nate to be able to provide these services with special funding from the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties’ Safety Net Initiative, the Town of Palm Beach United Way, the United Way of Palm Beach County, the Sachs Philanthropic Fund and the Wells Fargo Home Ownership Housing Foundation. In September 2009, we were also awarded a two year Florida Attorney General Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Grant contract from the Florida Bar Foundation to fund two attorneys to serve families and individuals in Palm Beach County facing mortgage fore- closure. Additionally, Legal Aid received stimulus funding under the Department of Justice’s Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and its Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) programs to increase the num- ber of survivors of domestic violence we are able to represent. As the number of survivors request- ing our services has risen by 20%, these additional funds were urgently needed. Monies were also received via the Dade Community Foundation BRAIVE Fund, allowing us to establish an Armed Services Advocacy Project (ASAP) to provide free legal services to those serv- ing and those who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan and their family members. The project will provide legal advice, counsel, education and representation with regard to pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment issues. After the first of the year, with a grant from the Coalition for Independent Living Options (CILO), we will be able to expand the program to provide legal services to disabled military veterans from all conflicts. Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Project, in partnership with the county’s voluntary bar associations, has insti- tuted a campaign to substantially increase pro bono participation by the private bar. Although Palm Beach County has a strong tradition of pro bono service and has been a leader in the state in pro bono achievements, the number of children, families, elders, and individuals in our communi- ty in need of volunteer legal assistance has risen significantly in the past three years while partici- pation in the program has remained static. The Florida Bar Foundation recently provided us with a grant to promote and encourage greater pro bono participation in our county. At this time of economic turmoil we must all renew our commitment to providing legal assistance to the poor and ensure access to justice to all members in our community. Thank you. Sincerely, Robert A. Bertisch, Esquire Mariano Garcia, Esquire Executive Director President, Board of Directors www.legalaidpbc.org2 | LEGAL AID SOCIETY WINTER 2010

Legal Aid Welcomes New Board Members Robert H. Friedman focuses his Gregory M. Yaffa joined Slawson practice on helping clients navigate Cunningham Whalen & Gaspari in 2004 through difficult insurance coverage and currently concentrates his practice in issues. He represents policy holders in the areas of personal injury, wrongful disputes with their insurers involving death and insurance company bad faith. property damage, bodily injury, environ- Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Yaffa prac- mental liability, products liability, director ticed in the Miami-based law office of and officer liability, intellectual property Stewart G. Greenberg, where he focused liability, business interruption, and crime on automobile negligence, wrongful and fidelity matters. He has litigated death, medical malpractice and productinsurance and other complex commercial disputes in various liability cases. Mr. Yaffa is admitted to practice law not only in thestate and federal courts. After graduating from Harvard Law State Courts of Florida, but also in the Florida Federal Courts,School, Mr. Friedman served as a law clerk to the Honorable including the United States District Court, Middle District CourtNaomi Reice Buchwald of the U.S. District Court for the Southern of Florida, the United States District Court, Southern District ofDistrict of New York. He practiced for seven years in the Florida and the United States District Court, Northern District ofInsurance Coverage group of Dickstein Shapiro LLP in New York Florida. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University ofbefore joining Gunster Yoakley in 2006. Richmond and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 2002. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2002. Mr. Yaffa frequently authors articles in the Florida Justice Association’s The Journal on the topic of insurance. He was also featured in the article \"Preserving A Legal Tradition\" in the April 2008 issue of PBG Lifestyle Magazine.“Woman of Grace” Honoree Congratulations to Legal Aid Society Board member Robin Bresky, Esq., who was nominated by the Legal Aid Society and subsequently named as a Bethesda Hospital Foundation 2009 “Woman of Grace” honoree. Robin Bresky, Esq.Introducing the Armed Services Advocacy ProjectMilitary personnel who have served in determinations, access to benefits, discharge Iraq and Afghanistan are returning upgrades, accommodations for disabilities, home to face a host of issues – many employment matters, etc. Outreach is done inof which require legal intervention to resolve. In partnership with local veterans centers and theresponse to the growing need for services for VA Medical Center as well as with veterans’these individuals and their families, the Legal advocacy organizations such as local chaptersAid Society has begun a new Armed Services of Disabled American Veterans, etc.Advocacy Project (ASAP). The Project is fundedby the Florida BrAIve Fund. It provides free For more information about the Armedlegal advice, representation, and advocacy to Services Advocacy Project, please contactmilitary personnel who are serving or have Elaine Martens, Esq., at 561-822-9706.served in Operation Enduring Freedom and/orOperation Iraqi Freedom and their families inPalm Beach County. Issues the Project address-es include, but are not limited to, disability Elaine Martens, Supervising AttorneyLEGAL AID SOCIETY WINTER 2010 | 3

What’s a Grandparent to do?By Judith Migdal-Mack, Esq.,Supervising Attorney for theRelative Caregiver ProjectOne day you are a grandparent… Judith Migdal-Mack, Esq. Attorney documents for relatives who will contemplating or already enjoying be taking care of a child for only a short retirement, living a leisurely life in dens of this new role can take a great toll on period of time. In addition, the Projectan adult community. You get visits from grandparents. The aging population now helps with Pre-Need Guardianships foryour grandchildren and perhaps you spoil finds themselves changing diapers and elderly grandparents who are concernedthem a bit. You go out to dinner with chasing toddlers. While there are now legal about what will happen if they are unablefriends, see mature, unanimated movies or and economic services available, these to continue caring for their minor grand-maybe watch television until you go to bed. grandparents still need more support to child. Sometimes just providing peace ofYou may be working full-time or part-time, accomplish this huge task. Legal Aid’s mind is all the family may need.or your spouse may be employed. You are Relative Caregiver Project provides freeplanning to visit family members or old legal services to low-income grandparents Raising grandchildren is not all negative.friends or to take an island cruise. and those over age 55, to help them secure Once the legal and financial hurdles have stability for their newly created families. been crossed, the fun begins. GrandparentsThen you go to sleep one night, and the The Project helps with issues such as get to relive their youth and enjoy morenext morning, boom, you wake up a parent obtaining temporary legal custody for rela- time with their grandchildren. They get toagain to your grandchildren! Your own tives who need documentation for school, watch cartoons, finger paint, draw funnygrown child has left his or her young child housing, and/or medical treatment. The faces, build sandcastles, see Disney Worldwith you. Your son or daughter has died, Project also prepares Limited Power of through the eyes of a three-year old…gone to prison, become a drug addict, or It’s not all bad!simply abandoned your grandchild forpersonal or financial reasons. But here you For more information about theare – chills running down your spine as Relative Caregiver Project, please contactyou wonder how you will ever do this. Judith Migdal-Mack, Esq. at 561-655-8944. ext. 269The statistics for grandparents raising theirgrandchildren are staggering – 1 in 12 chil-dren in Florida is being raised by a grand-parent. And these estimates are certainlylow, as many grandparents take on thisresponsibility without ever asking for helpor reporting that they are raising theirgrandchildren.The financial, physical, and emotional bur-Bioethics Project Comes to an EndAfter 7 years, our Bioethics Law raise legal issues. Marnie is not only a bril- Project has come to an end. Due to liant attorney, but also a knowledgeable reg- changing priorities and cutbacks istered nurse. With her expertise in both lawamong funders, there simply is no funding and medicine, she was the ideal leader foravailable at this time to sustain the project. this very important project. Her presence atThanks to the tireless efforts, commitment local hospitals will surely be noticed, andand passion of Marnie Poncy, the Bioethics she is already sorely missed at Legal Aid.Law Project helped hundreds of clientsmake end-of-life decisions. Additionally, the Marnie Poncy – Bioethics Law ProjectProject acted as an essential bridge betweenthe medical and legal communities inaddressing end-of-life medical matters that4 | LEGAL AID SOCIETY WINTER 2010

Foreclosures Still An IssueIn response to the local foreclosure crisis, reach are key components of the the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach Mortgage Foreclosure Defense County started the Mortgage Fore- Project.closure Defense Project as part of its FairHousing Project. The Project quickly Clients who are candidates forbecame one of Legal Aid’s busiest pro- realistically sustainable modifi-grams, and demand for foreclosure assis- cations of their mortgage loanstance continues to be steady. The first wave are referred to housing agenciesof clients consisted of mostly victims of such as Home Free USA or thepredatory lending practices and/or bad Housing Partnership to negoti-loans with outrageous repayment terms. ate a new contract. Not allWhile many of those clients have already clients are eligible for or wellbenefitted from loan modifications, a sec- served by a loan modification –ond wave of clients are coming forward for particularly if they are stillhelp. These foreclosure clients are primari- unemployed. Therefore, prior toly individuals who have lost their jobs in making a referral, the Projectthe past few months – former construction attorneys carefully present eachworkers, real estate professionals, or serv- client with all possible options,ice industry workers who can no longer and allow the client to decideafford to pay their mortgages. what is in his or her best inter- est. So far, the Initiative hasThe Project provides free legal advice and closed 75 cases – all of whichcounseling to clients facing mortgage fore- were satisfactorily resolved toclosure. Legal Aid Project attorneys also allow the clients to remain inpresent information about the foreclosure their homes.process, buyers’ rights and responsibilities,and available remedies at public work- For more information on the Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Project or to volunteershops and foreclosure clinics throughout pro bono legal services to supplement the project, please contact Curt Sanchez, Esq.,the county. Community education and out- at 561-655-8944 ext. 263 or Ferris Solomon, Esq., at 561-655-8944 ext. 268.Contiued from page 1 Legal Aid in the Digital Public Squareited powers of attorney authorizing relative The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County is pleased to be a partner in the Digitalcaregivers to make medical decisions for Public Square www.yourpbc.org, an initiative of the Community Foundation forminor children left in their care. Palm Beach and Martin Counties which promotes civic engagement and commu-Now more than ever, vulnerable popula- nity collaboration. This interactive website istions need legal intervention to remove or a platform for local nonprofits to discussmitigate circumstances that prevent them issues of interest and provide news to indi-from benefitting from medical treatment. viduals in Palm Beach County about pro-As local residents continue to lose their grams and upcoming events. The Digitaljobs, income, health insurance, and food Public Square allows Legal Aid to gain expo-and housing security, the Legal Aid’s sure for our programs and events and pro-Medical Legal Partnership Project is here to vides the opportunity for us to educate theprotect these clients’ physical and mental community on emerging legal issues. Digitalhealth. Public Square allows us to upload content directly and link information to our ownFor more information about the website. In addition, the Digital PublicMedical Legal Partnership Project, Square website interfaces directly with majorcontact Sara Alijewicz, Esq., social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr, which expands ourat 561-655-8944 ext. 294 or via reach and presence on the web. We are excited to continue our collaboration with theemail at [email protected] Digital Public Square, and we invite you to check out the site at www.yourpbc.org.LEGAL AID SOCIETY WINTER 2010 | 5

“Celebrating Justice” The 7th AnnualSave theDates 2010 Holiday Bookfest & Shopping SpreeSUNDAY To receive event invitations, please contact Harreen Bertisch Harreen Bertisch & Victoria VilchezMARCH 21 at 561-655-8944 ext. 257. Please also be sure to browse our The 7th Annual Holiday BookfestAfternoon Tea at Frenchmen’s Reserve in registries for auction gift ideas at & Shopping Spree at Barnes & Pottery Barn Noble CityPlace was sponsoredPalm Beach Gardens to benefit Legal Aid’s Domestic by Palm Beach County ChapterViolence Project www.potterybarn.com of FAWL with the F. Malcolm Williams–Sonoma Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association,SATURDAY Kevin C. Smith, Esq., Palm Beach www.williams-sonoma.com County Hispanic Bar AssociationAPRIL 17 and Crate & Barrel and The Suskauer Law Firm, P.A.Gift Gathering Gala at the home of Lisa & Rick www.crateandbarrel.com. Patricia Leonard and Lisa SmallRoselli in Boca Raton; Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres; We thank you in advance for WINTER 2010cocktail attire your contribution to our exciting auction.SATURDAYAPRIL 24Gift Gathering Gala at the home of MarjorieGadarian Graham in Jupiter Island; OceansideCocktails; casual oceanside attireSATURDAY Details about sponsorshipMAY 8, 2010 opportunities, pre-event gift gathering galas and auctionMark your calendar now and plan to join us for a gift registries are availablespectacular “celebration of justice” at the Legal Aid online at www.legalaidpbc.org.Society's 22nd Annual Pro Bono Recognition Evening For more information, please& Auction. We are pleased to announce that Scott and contact Harreen Bertisch,Jamie Murray, together with Dr. Kenneth and Robin Director of Development,Bresky, will co-chair the event at the Palm Beach by phone at (561) 655-8944County Convention Center. ext. 257 or via email at [email protected]. Scott and Jamie Murray Dr. Kenneth and Robin Bresky6 | LEGAL AID SOCIETY

Young Professional Friends of Legal Aid Brooks Brothers eventJessica Callow and Kimberly Rommel-Enright Jamie and Scott Murray Anita and Jack Scarola Young Professional Friends of Legal Aid Hosted November 18th Brooks Brothers Event in Palm Beach Gardens. Rosemarie Guerini Avery and Joan KianCyndi, Christopher and Michael Napoleone Jason and Nicole Guari Hampton Keen, Bob Bertisch, Joe Galardi Bob Bertisch, Michelle Suskauer Matt Triggs, Bailey Triggs and Amy TriggsLEGAL AID SOCIETY WINTER 2010 | 7

“Celebrating Justice” 9th Annual Cup of Justice Golf ClassicMembers of the winning team, Gordon and Doner, P.A.: The 2009 Cup of Justice Golf Classic Debra Jenks, Robert HarveyKeith Mullenger, Chris Peddicord and Adam Doner raised $20,000 to support Legal Bob Shalhoub & Bob Bertisch Aid’s Children’s Educational Advocacy Project which works to ensure equal access to public educa- tion for disabled children in Palm Beach County. Attorney Robert Shalhoub chaired the October 12th tournament at Bear Lakes Country Club. The present- ing sponsor of the event was CityPlace Tower – The Related Companies and Crocker Partners, Matthew Ferguson, Grier Pressly Keith Austin, Peter Broberg, Sam Bereson and Gary Woodfield8 | LEGAL AID SOCIETY The Community Back-to-School Bash Angie Brafford gives out school supplies at the Back-to-School-Bash in August. WRAP UP From the Legal Aid Society The Legal Aid Society partnered with Thanks to all! over 30 other community agencies for the Community Back to School Bash in August and helped to provide much need- ed school supplies to over 9,100 disad- vantaged children in Palm Beach County including 469 Legal Aid clients. WINTER 2010

PRO BONO SPOTLIGHT - Lawrence E. Moncrief, Esq.Lawrence “Larry” Moncrief received Since late 2005, Mr. Moncrief has been an For his exceptional efforts, Mr. Moncrief invaluable resource for the Legal Aid was recognized with the Emeritus Attorneyhis B.S. in Civil Engineering from the Society. He began coming into the office as Award at the 19th Annual Pro BonoUniversity of Pittsburgh, and his law a volunteer intake attorney. When he start- Recognition Evening in 2006, and he hasdegree from Duquesne University. Mr. ed, the Legal Aid Society was getting an not slowed down. Mr. Moncrief continuesMoncrief was a structural engineer for 20 inordinate number of calls regarding Social to volunteer and spends nearly everyyears before joining H.K. Porter Company, Security denial of benefits cases. The Thursday at the Legal Aid offices meetingInc., where he served as Vice President and demand for services far outweighed what with Social Security clients. He is even nowGeneral Counsel for 23 years. Since his Legal Aid staff could handle. Mr. Moncrief teaching Legal Aid attorneys about Socialretirement, Mr. Moncrief has devoted his stepped forward to assist with this crisis. Security law!time to community work. He is involved in He worked with Legal Aid staff to learnmany community activities including Big this area of law and began counseling and “At age 82 and having been retired for 16Brothers/Big Sisters, Expanding & representing clients in Social Security cases. years, I still find the need to keep my mindPreserving Our Cultural Heritage, St. Paul He has assisted hundreds of clients in active and to be challenged mentally,” saysAME Church of Delray Beach, Knights ofPythagoras, and the Disaster Action Team preparation of disability forms and has rep- Mr. Moncrief. “I look forwardof the American Red Cross. Mr. Moncrief resented several at the appellate level. With each week to putting on a shirthas been happily married to the former the support of his wife Betty, Mr. Moncrief and tie and driving 25 miles toBetty Haile for 60 years. has provided countless hours of his time to volunteer my service to Legal assisting the disabled in Palm Beach Aid. I appreciate Legal Aid County. providing me the opportunity to serve.” And the Legal Aid Society appreciates Larry Moncrief. With his constant smile and obvious commitment to his clients, Mr. Moncrief is an inspiration to everyone he meets. His service is truly been a blessing to the Legal Aid Society and the many grateful clients he has helped over the years.Announcing Training for Pro Bono Attorney VolunteersMany local attorneys who volunteer to take order for them to provide intake, advice in other Juvenile Advocacy Project matters.on pro bono cases from the Legal Aid and consulting services to distressed fami- Legal Aid attorneys Melissa Duncan andSociety are unable to do so because the lies and homeowners facing foreclosure. Shahar Pasch presented the same trainingcases in need of private representation fall Private attorney Alan Crane also provided for the attorneys in the Boca Raton office ofoutside the volunteer’s scope of expertise. training in bankruptcy law at this session. Greenberg Traurig.In response, Pro Bono Project Supervising The FP&L attorneys are now ready to beginAttorney Kimberly Rommel-Enright has providing volunteer legal services under Additional trainings are in the planningbegun a series of professional development the supervision of our Mortgage Defense stages, and sessions will be announced viasessions to give potential pro bono attor- and Pro Bono Projects. Twenty additional email blasts, bar newsletters, and mailings.neys the tools and resources they need to FP&L attorneys are also planning to attend However, if you or your firm are interestedassist with Legal Aid cases. foreclosure defense training in the coming in arranging a special training session in a months. particular high-need area, please feel freeIn November 2009, Legal Aid attorneys to contact Kimberly Rommel-Enright atTequisha Myles, Kim Enright, Ferris In December 2009, Legal Aid attorneys 561-655-8944 ext. 265. With the recent surgeSolomon, and Curt Sanchez, volunteer Michelle Hankey and Bill Booth offered in demand for legal services – particularlyattorneys Jon Mann and Jeff Eannario, and specialized training for attorneys in the in the areas of bankruptcy and juvenilePro Bono Coordinator Britt Holm trained West Palm Beach office of Greenberg advocacy – Legal Aid needs all the quali-40 Florida Power & Light attorneys in Traurig to represent dependent children in fied pro bono volunteers we can get.defense of mortgage foreclosure matters in our Independent Living Courts as well asLEGAL AID SOCIETY WINTER 2010 | 9

INTERN CORNER Article courtesy of the Florida Bar FoundationJarred Reiling recognizes the face of The Lantana native received his bachelor’s “With the economic crisis we have a real domestic violence. For nearly three degree in Women’s Studies and worked as crunch as far as more clients than ever who months, he heard the heart-wrenching an intern at a domestic violence shelter in need services. Jarred has been really goodstories of abused women – one so severely Pasco County – even staying there for a with helping prep our cases,” Oleksy said.beaten that a judge called it the worst case couple of nights to understand better thehe had ever seen. During the summer of experience of those who weren’t there by Reiling hopes to follow law school with an2009, Reiling, a second-year law student at choice. Equal Justice Works fellowship and oneFlorida International University College of day practice public interest law. If he endsLaw, worked as a Fellow with the Legal “I wanted to get the full effect of what it up practicing at the Legal Aid Society ofAid Society of Palm Beach County’s was like to be completely dislocated,” Palm Beach County, he’d be one of severalDomestic Violence Project. Reiling said. While emotions can run high attorneys here who started by participating at a shelter, Reiling has learned to focus on in the Foundation’s Legal Services SummerHe is one of 40 law students – about half of the methodical, meticulous and relatively Fellowship Program.them minorities – who participated in The emotionally detached process involved inFlorida Bar Foundation’s 2009 Legal protecting the legal rights of domestic vio- “I’ve always had an interest in doing pub-Services Summer Fellowship Program, lence victims. lic interest law, as a result of what broughtthrough which the students explore careers me to law school in the first place,” Reilingin public interest law at legal aid offices While at Legal Aid, Reiling did legal said. “But working here this summer hasthroughout the state. For Reiling, the fel- research the staff attorneys don’t have the solidified that. It’s definitely something Ilowship added fuel to his passion for help- time to do – given their enormous case- very much want to do.”ing domestic violence victims, which has loads – and he frequently went to courtbeen burning since his days as an under- with lawyers representing clients, angraduate at Florida Atlantic University and opportunity envied by hisultimately led him to law school. friends from law school.Such emotionally gripping work isn’t for Reiling’s presence was aeveryone, but for Reiling, 23, it pushes him tremendous benefit to theto take action. “I have the ability to go office, said supervisinghome and not think about [domestic vio- attorney Kathryn Oleksy,lence]. Some people don’t,” Reiling said. “It who heads the Legal Aidkind of fuels my fire to do my part and do Society of Palm Beachwhat I can do.” County’s Domestic Violence Project.Interns are a Valuable Asset to Legal AidThe Legal Aid Society is fortunate to have hosted the following interns Intern Jarred Reiling with supervising attorney Katy Oleksyso far this academic year. These talented professionals were intro-duced to the world of legal aid while contributing their expertise to avariety of LAS projects.Intern Name Law School Attended LAS Project AssistedKate Cohen Florida International University College of Law Medical Legal PartnershipAbby Chaffatt Boston University Law School Fair Housing/Elder LawOlen McLean Appalachian School of Law Pro BonoJarred Reiling Florida International University College of Law Domestic ViolenceKevin Henson University of Memphis School of Law Low Income Taxpayer ClinicJon Mann Wayne State University School of Law Fair Housing/Mortgage DefenseMeghan Bedecs Wake Forest Univ. School of Law Domestic ViolenceKristin Cantrell University of Toledo Law School Domestic ViolenceJean Francis Nova Southeastern University Law School Family LawJeff Eannarino University of Miami School of Law Fair Housing/Mortgage DefenseKris Heaton University of Denver Law School Immigration Advocacy10 | LEGAL AID SOCIETY WINTER 2010

LEGAL AID STAFF NEWSKudos to…Abigail Beebe, Esq. Judith Migdal-Mack, Esq. Sandra Powery, Esq.Recipient of the 2008-09 Award of Merit for Elected 2009-10 Vice-Chair of the School Coordinated the Palm Beach County Barleadership, commitment and labor for the Advisory Council for the Dreyfoos School Association’s highly successful Diversitybenefit of the Family Law Section of the of the Arts SummitFlorida Bar Association; selected to serveon the Legislation Committee of the Family Tequisha Myles, Esq. Ferris Solomon, Esq.Law Section; was also instrumental instructuring a bill on concurrent custody Served on the Foreclosure Committee for Pictured and quoted in Palm Beach Postthrough her position as the Chair of the the 15th Judicial Circuit to amend the article discussing the foreclosure crisis andChildren’s Issues Sub-Committee on administrative order governing the foreclo- the Legal Aid Society’s mortgage foreclo-Concurrent Custody sure process and was recently elected sure defense program – the Housing Second Vice-President of Adopt-a-Family Stability InitiativeRobert A. Bertisch, Esq. of the Palm Beaches; also featured in Success South Florida magazine – South Shane Weaver, Esq.Elected 2009-10 President of the Forum Florida’s premiere journal for black busi-Club of the Palm Beaches ness professionals – as one of 2009’s “40 Quoted in Palm Beach Post newspaper edi- Under 40 Leaders of Today and torial applauding his work on behalf ofJohn Foley, Esq. Tomorrow” victims of egregious housing discrimina- tionRecipient of the 2009 “Unsung Hero” Linda NorrisAward presented by the Lord’s Place forhis contributions to ending homelessness Elected to the 2009-10 Board of Directors for the Children’s Home Society; co-chairMickale Linton of CHS’s National Adoption Day CommitteeFeatured in a Sun Sentinel newspaper arti-cle for his volunteer efforts with the SouthUniversity Pro Bono Paralegal ClubWelcome! New Staff MembersLegal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc.Paul Disse Kathleen Postel Information Technology Manager Fiscal and Grants ManagerDarnesha McComb AmeriCorps VISTA VolunteerLegal Aid Attorney Making HeadlinesLegal Aid Attorney Shane Weaver has without a fight – that his behavior would rent in the same area. According to State been getting lots of press lately. It go unchecked in the poor, rural, predomi- law, the Village is required to verify that seems that a couple of local land- nately minority community. The landlord adequate and suitable housing exists forlords decided to ignore their renters’ rights and the non-profit were surprised to learn the homeowners’ relocation before they canin pursuit of financial gains. that the Legal Aid Society had partnered approve the re-zoning. Furthermore, the with the Florida Equal Justice Center to park owners are mandated to give resi-In one case, a landlord in Pahokee gave represent the tenants. dents six months’ notice before eviction,notice to all residents with children living and must either pay part of the cost toin his rental community that they had to In another case, property owners of a move the home or a small fixed amount ifmove because the apartments were becom- mobile home park have asked the Village of the resident abandons the home. Mr.ing senior housing. As it turns out, he had Palm Springs to rezone their property so Weaver is working with these families tomade a deal with a non-profit to house for- that a Wal-Mart can be built there. ensure that they receive proper treatmentmer sex offenders – thus the need to rid the Approximately 70 families would be affect- under the law and that their rights to com-community of children. The landlord likely ed by the park’s closing and fear they will parable, affordable housing is protected.assumed that the residents would leave be unable to find comparable housing forLEGAL AID SOCIETY WINTER 2010 | 11

Legal Aid Society Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage of Palm Beach County, Inc. 423 Fern Street, Suite 200 PAID West Palm Beach, FL 33401 West Palm Beach, FL www.legalaidpbc.org Permit No. 1445Fighting for FairnessPromoting JusticeThis newsletter is published by the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc. at 423 Fern Street, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. TEL (561) 655-8944. No part of this publication may bereproduced in any form without the express consent of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc. Copyright 2009, all rights reserved.Featured Funder SponsorsThe Community Foundation for Palm The Community Foundation has supported Beach and Martin Counties has been a several important Legal Aid projects and key supporter of the Legal Aid Society special initiatives including Publicof Palm Beach County for more than a Guardianship for indigent seniors, Disasterdecade. The Community Foundation’s mis- Recovery legal assistance for local non-sion is to enhance the quality of life for all profits, legal assistance to immigrant victimsresidents, now and for future generations; to of domestic abuse, participation in thebuild permanent endowments; to address Digital Public Square, and foreclosureneeds through grantmaking; and to provide defense. We at Legal Aid are extremely grate-community leadership. Since its inception in ful for the ongoing support and leadership of1972, the Community Foundation for Palm the Community Foundation.Beach and Martin Counties has granted over$78 million – nearly $300,000 of which wentto the Legal Aid Society.12 | LEGAL AID SOCIETY WINTER 2010