Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County Newsletter Winter 2016

LEGAL ...And Justice For AllAIDSOCIETYPalm Beach County2015-2016 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY WINTER 2016BOARD OF DIRECTORS OUR MISSION:EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR To provide high quality civil legal advice, representation and education to the disadvantaged of PalmRobert A. Bertisch, Esq. Beach County so as to protect their personal safety, enhance their opportunities and living conditions and promote self-sufficiency.ADMINISTRATORMichael Spillane Lacy’s Story:DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Six year old Lacy had been available or willing to see her. children. Amy Genet asked ToniHarreen Bertisch waiting eight months for The above mentioned advocates to co-represent Lacy with regard the specialized oral surgery were frustrated with the system to the child’s healthcare needs.BOARD OF TRUSTEES she desperately needed. Foster and the lack of empowerment to Lacy’s foster mother suggestedDavid Ackerman, Esq. Children’s Project attorney Amy meet Lacy’s needs. the University of Florida ShandsClaire Arnold Genet represented Lacy and Health Center as an appropriateF. Greg Barnhart, Esq. ww her ten siblings, as they worked Typically, children’s lawyers provider of the child’s treatment.Bill Bone, Esq. their way through the foster don’t have the time or specific Appointments at Shands arePatrick J. Casey, Esq. care system to permanency.Melinda Penney Gamot, Esq. Lacy has genetic and knowledge to challenge the very difficult to schedule,Mariano Garcia, Esq. developmental disabilities healthcare system, to make causing further frustrationDavid M. Gaspari, Esq. including a partially things happen when the system for all involved. WithGarry Glickman, Esq. paralyzed voice box and breaks down. This time, though, assistance from healthcareCarey Haughwout, Esq. Mosaic Down Syndrome. LAS’s Children’s Healthcare attorneys in Tallahassee,Thomas Kingcade, Esq. She is barely verbal. Doctors Advocacy Project (CHAP) made Toni contacted seniorJane Kreusler-Walsh, Esq. are concerned that her a difference. Newly appointed executives with Medicaid,Richard Lubin, Esq. conditions may cause her to Legal Aid attorney, Toni Pollard, the Agency for Health CareRafael J. Roca, Esq. not feel and communicate manages CHAP under an Equal Administration (AHCA),Michael Salnick, Esq. pain as most of us do. Lack Justice Works fellowship funded and Children’s MedicalVictoria A. Vilchez, Esq. of care and the fact that she by Greenberg Traurig, The Services. She spoke with retains food in her mouth Florida Bar, The Florida Bar case workers, nurse careBOARD OF DIRECTORS contributed to the severe Foundation and the Legal Aid coordinators, RegionalPresident decay of Lacy’s teeth. The Society. She applies her 30 plus Nurse Directors, ProviderMiriam Acosta-Castriz, Esq. little girl was in need of years of business experience in Relations personnel fillings, caps, and root canals to the healthcare insurance arena and AHCA complaintImmediate Past Pres. restore her to a healthier state. to address systemic healthcare representatives. Toni reviewedJeffrey A. Devore, Esq. issues, particularly for foster Medicaid contract obligations, Although under the supervision filed complaints, wrote grievanceFirst Vice-President of the Palm Beach County court, letters and collaborated with AmyMatthew Triggs, Esq. Lacy is living in a medical foster to write the Secretary of Florida’s home in Volusia County, because Department of Children andSecond Vice-President an appropriate foster home was Families. As a result, Lacy hasMichelle Suskauer, Esq. not available in Palm Beach had her first visit with Pediatric County. Lawyers, case workers, Dentistry at Shands in Gainsville.Secretary nurses, and network personnel Finally, she will have the dentalLawrence P. Rochefort, Esq. from Legal Aid’s Foster Children’s care she has been awaiting. Project, ChildNet, Ped-I-Care,Treasurer Children’s Medical Services and Lacy will have ongoing specialJerry Beer, Esq. Medicaid had tried to arrange healthcare needs. Toni and the the necessary care for Lacy, but Chap project will continue toBOARD OF DIRECTORS without success. No specialized co-represent her to ensure thoseLeslie Artsis Adams pediatric oral surgeon was needs are met on a timely basis.Richard M. Benrubi, Esq.Robin Bresky, Esq. WINTER 2016 • 1Patience BurnsSarah Cortvriend, Esq.Vincent F. CuomoHoward D. DuBosar, Esq.Karis Engle, M.S.Robert H. Friedman, Esq.Joseph G. Galardi, Esq.Lorie M. Gleim, Esq.Richard D. GreenfieldJack P. Hill, Esq.John Howe, Esq.Denise Rappaport Isaacs, Esq.W. Hampton Keen, Esq.Nancy LambrechtEllen S. Malasky, Esq.Scott C. Murray, Esq.J. Grier Pressly, III, Esq.Devin S. Radkay, Esq.Matthew Sackel, Esq.Robert M.W. Shalhoub, Esq.Grasford W. Smith, Esq.Rebecca Mercier Vargas, Esq. Gary Woodfield, Esq.

Letter from the President and Executive DirectorDear Friends and Supporters, Robert A. Bertisch, Esq. We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from the Palm Beach Executive Director County legal community in 2015. Our Annual Campaign for Equal Justice raised $395,000 which is the most money realized since the campaign was officially established in 2005. Thanks to theMiriam Acosta-Castriz, Esq. continued and generous support of our donors, 40% of those contributing to the campaign have Board President donated $400.00 or more to ensure equal access to justice in our community. In 2015 we expanded our fundraising efforts into the business community which helped to increase campaign donations. Additionally, over 2,000 attorneys agreed to participate in this year’s campaign by handling a Legal Aid pro-bono referral. Although funding from the Florida Bar Foundation’s Interest on Lawyer’s Trust Account Program (IOTA) continues to decline, we have been fortunate that a number of local funders have come forward to assist us in addressing some of the emerging legal needs of the low-income community. Legal Aid’s Coverage to Care Initiative was established in May 2015 with a two-year grant from the Quantum Foundation. This project will assist residents of Palm Beach County, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable populations, with access to affordable health care coverage for themselves and their families and to maintain and utilize the coverage once they have it through legal representation and advocacy. The St. Clare Fund of the Allegany Franciscan Ministries awarded Legal Aid a two-year grant to create a Children’s Health and Immigration Project to increase access to health and medical care to 100 non-citizen children who are victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. In addition, this program will assist caretakers to acquire legal custody of these children and to apply for lawful permanent status. Our award winning Children’s Advocacy Projects were able to expand their services in 2015 with increased funding from the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County to launch a new initiative aimed at ensuring that school readiness services are available to children with disabilities from birth through age five, particularly those children with cognitive and developmental disabilities such as autism-spectrum disorders. In addition, with the help of an Equal Justice Works Fellowship provided by Greenburg Traurig, the Florida Bar and the Florida Bar Foundation we were able to begin our Children’s Healthcare Advocacy Project (CHAP) providing representation and systemic legal advocacy to ensure that foster children obtain necessary healthcare within rapidly changing complex Medicaid programs. In the coming year, we at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County pledge to continue to provide outstanding legal services through our in-house staff and pro-bono counsel to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community have meaningful access to our judicial system. Thank you for your continued support of our work. Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy new year. Robert A. Bertisch, Esq. Miriam Acosta-Castriz, Esq. Executive Director Board President2 • LEGAL AID SOCIETY

Legal Aid Welcomes New Board Members SARAH CORTVRIEND, a shareholder with Carlton Fields, focuses her practice on real property litigation and commercial litigation for title insurance underwriters and national lending institutions, handling matters of title agent defalcations, forgeries, lien priorities, closing protection letters, insurer bad faith, quiet title, and equitable subrogation. She has also represented lenders in property disputes and commercial foreclosures involving hotels, residential and commercial condominiums, homeowner associations, agricultural property, industrial property, office buildings, partially developed land, and undeveloped land. Sarah earned her juris doctorate, cum laude, from the University of Florida and her Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from the University of South Florida. She is very active with the Florida Bar, serving as a member of the Grievance Committee, the Voluntary Liaison Committee, 2015 Voluntary Bar Leaders’ Conference Chair, member of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and a member of the FAWL Past Presidents’ Advisory Council. HOWARD DUBOSAR is the managing shareholder of Boca Raton’s DuBosar Sheres,. P.A., a firm concentrating in various areas of complex, commercial litigation including corporate and partnership litigation, business torts, trade secret protection, franchise litigation, intellectual property litigation, real estate recovery, and bankruptcy litigation. Howard graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University and went on to receive his juris doctorate from the University of Miami where he was an Associate Editor of the Law Review and Vice President of the Moot Court Board. Howard is also very involved in his community where he is the past President of the Hillel Day School Board of Trustees, and has been active with the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, holding leadership positions as an officer, director, and past president of the Young Adult Division. Howard lives in Boca Raton with his wife, Stacey, and their four children. KARIS ENGLE currently serves as the President/CEO of The Glades Initiative, a nonprofit addressing health and human service system of care needs in the Glades. She has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit organizations, and has often served in a leadership capacity. For many years, Karis has been an advocate for reducing disparities and improving access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services. She brings a wealth of knowledge pertaining to the provision of health and human services to vulnerable populations, including access to care and rural health issues. Karis holds a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Palm Beach Atlantic University, and an undergraduate degree in International Development with an emphasis in Social Work from Bethel College – North Newton. She is very active in the community, including roles as Vice President of Florida Impact, Secretary of the Nonprofit Chamber of Palm Beach County, Vice President of Glades PATCH and as a member of The Palm Beach County Community Alliance. ELLEN S. MALASKY is Assistant General Counsel for Florida Power & Light Company and was in private practice in West Palm Beach for 16 years before becoming in-house counsel. She has served her clients as advisor and litigator in employment and labor law matters for over 25 years. She has successfully represented employers in union negotiations and arbitrations, before the EEOC and other state and local agencies, in hearings before the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division as well as Unemployment Compensation Claims. She has litigated claims of age, sex, race, disability, religious discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, wages, and ERISA in both state and federal courts. Ms. Malasky also counsels her clients on both federal and state OSHA matters and represents them before various federal and state agencies. She is a past president of Palm Beach County FAWL, has chaired several Palm Beach County Bar Committees and currently serves on a Florida Bar Grievance Committee. Ms. Malasky is a graduate of Skidmore College where she received her Bachelor’s degree and received her J.D. degree from Pace University School of Law and attended University of Miami School of Law. WINTER 2016 • 3

Rose’s Story:Rose, a 62 year old kidney transplant patient was referred to Legal Aid’sCoverage to Care Legal Initiative by a medicalprovider for health care access assistance.The provider met Rose in the hallway of alocal health clinic where she stood in tearsthinking that she would lose her new kidneysdue to a lapse in care and medications. Shehad been informed by a Federal enrollmentcertified application counselor that herhealth coverage was terminating due to herfamily’s financial circumstance and that shewas not eligible to qualify for AdvancedPremium Tax Credits and/or subsidies topurchase insurance with a lower premiumthrough the Federal Marketplace as she andher husband did not file an income tax returnin 2014. Rose’s only household income isfrom her husband’s disability benefits, theywere not in a position to pay out of pocketfor her care and medications on their own.After meeting with Rose, the CCLI team After addressing the legal and enrollment to care which have ultimately allowed her(attorney Vicki Tucci and paralegal challenges, we presented the healthcare to keep living!Anna Veguez) determined that the access options for Rose. She was advisedinformation provided by the Federal that all options could be obtained with **The Coverage to Care Legal Initiativecertified application counselor was our assistance, would completely avoid a improves the ability of the residents of Palmincorrect, and if the circumstances were lapse in care and treatment, and would be Beach County, especially disadvantagednot resolved, Rose would, in fact, be compliant with the Affordable Care Act and vulnerable resident populations, toterminated from health coverage in 48 under her unique circumstances. Rose was access health care coverage and utilize thisdays and would have to try to retain her already comfortable with her doctors and coverage once they have it through legalkidneys without medical treatment and the routine of knowing how and when to representation and systemic advocacy.specialty medication. get her medication. Getting involved in the federal healthcare world seemed scary,The CCLI team worked to resolve Rose’s especially when she was so familiar withsituation. Through research and working her current care. She wanted to maintainwith our community partners, three facts the coverage she was familiar with, andwere uncovered. Rose’s eligibility could be decided on the option that allowed her torecalculated, which would prevent the loss of keep her current coverage. We helped hercare and medications within the 48 day time make the decision that is best for her, andperiod. With this option she would not lose the team worked quickly to ensure herher current care. Secondly, Rose was eligible approval for healthcare.to apply for Social Security Disabilitybenefits which would ultimately provide Rose contacted the CCLI team afterher with health coverage through Medicare/ receiving her documented confirmationMedicaid. Lastly, Rose was in fact eligible of coverage. She was thrilled she wasn’tfor both Advanced Premium Tax Credits and going to lose her system of security andsubsidies to purchase insurance with a lower care. Again, she was crying, but this timepremium through the Federal Marketplace, it was with tears of joy and thankfulnessas she and her husband were not actually for our assistance in removing the barriersrequired under the law to file taxes in 2014.4 • LEGAL AID SOCIETY

WNaegewDisLpeutge ParlogAraimd: Programs:CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND IM MIGRATION PROJECT: (CHIP):Children’s Health and Immigration and exploitation in the Unites States. CHIP assists non-parental caregivers of Project (CHIP) is a new and privately- Fearing deportation, most unaccompanied at-risk children in acquiring legal custodyfunded project at the Legal Aid Society children do not reach out to law of children through state court, therebyof Palm Beach County available to at-risk enforcement or state and local agencies authorizing the legal custodians to accesschildren and low-income immigrant families. charged with protection of children. This health care benefits on the children’s behalf. Project initiates judicial intervention for at-The vast majority of at-risk children served risk children through private dependency Finally, CHIP seeks to increase the stabilityby the project are unaccompanied children actions in Palm Beach County’s Juvenile of the family unit in low-income immigrantarriving at the United States’ border Court. Furthermore, children represented families. To that end, the Project representsfrom Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, by CHIP undergo a thorough screening undocumented parents of lawfully-and El Salvador. The Office of Refugee to determine their eligibility for present children before the United StatesResettlement (ORR) is the federal agency immigration relief. The Project represents Citizenship and Immigration Services andcharged with the care and placement at-risk children before the United Stated Immigration Court on family-based andof unaccompanied immigrant children. Citizenship and Immigration Services and humanitarian-based immigration petitions.According to the data published by the ORR Immigration Court on family-based and CHIP has reached out to organizationsfor the fiscal year 2015, Palm Beach County humanitarian-based immigration petitions. involved in child advocacy and immigrationranks number one in the State of Florida in and the response from the community hasthe number of unaccompanied minors who Another challenge that at-risk children in been overwhelming. Due to the increasinghave been released to relatives or friends. Palm Beach County face is the lack of a number of unaccompanied immigrant parent or legal custodian. The majority of the children living in Palm Beach County, theOnce children are released from ORR, there adults caring for unaccompanied minors in Project has received a consistently highis little to no oversight by federal or state Palm Beach County are relatives or friends number of referrals. Legal Aid recognizesagencies to ensure their wellbeing. In some who are caring for the children voluntarily. that strong community partnerships and an situations children who have already fled As such, they are unable to consent to non- effective referral network are keys to ther abuse, neglect, and abandonment in their emergency medical care and make day-to- CHIP program’s successful representationhome countries become victims of violence day decisions for the children’s wellbeing. of its clients and welcomes referrals.PROJECT DULCE:As a result of the long-standing provides a continuum of enhanced services evaluated by researchers from Chapin Hall collaboration between the Health aimed at identifying and addressing civil at the University of Chicago, with the goalCare District and Legal Aid’s Medical legal needs that impact the infant and evaluation (confirmation) of improvedLegal Partnership Project, we have been family’s health and well-being. Project medical outcomes and replication of theselected to participate in a pilot project in other primary care clinicsprogram being run by Boston across the country.Medical Center and the BostonMedical Legal Partnership. The Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County (CSC) willAs one of five MLP’s chosen from be funding a portion of the project,across the nation, Legal Aid and the which will enable Legal Aid to placee Health Care District will be partnering a specially trained social worker inm in the launch of Project DULCE Health Care District clinics thatd (Developmental Understanding and provide pediatric primary care too Legal Collaboration for Everyone), infants through 6 months. CSC wills which seeks to identify and address also be funding a portion of a Legall infant/family risks and needs with the Aid MLP attorney position, withgoal to build protective factors for the direct service delivery scheduled tofamily in a primary health care setting. DULCE integrates two existing programs begin on April 1, 2016. – Healthy Steps and the Medical-LegalProject DULCE specifically targets infants Partnership into the child’s medical home. Legal Aid will be able to provide freeages 0-6 along with their families and Project DULCE will be monitored and civil legal services and resources to low continued on page10 WINTER 2016 • 5

“Celebrating Justice”27th Annual Pro Bono Recognition EveningOn Saturday evening May 9, 2015, at “CIRQUE”, Legal Aid’s 27th Annual Pro Bono Recognition Evening & Auction,the following individuals were honored for their outstanding pro bono work for our clients. Top left to right: Jason Lazarus, William M. Cavanaugh, Event Chairs: Jerry & Katy Beer and Jack Scarola, Mitchell I. Kitroser, Linda Spector, Matthew N. Thibaut Karen Benrubi & Jeff Liggio Bottom left to right: Alan Burger, Margaret M. Bichler, Joseph & Jen Galardi Amy Cohen Devore, Avery S. Chapman Brian & Rosemary Denney and Michelle & Jack HillMargaret BichlerAppellate Law AwardAlan BurgerReal Property AwardWilliam CavanaughImmigration Law AwardAvery ChapmanElder Law AwardAmy Cohen DevoreSuzanne Foley“Serving Justice Award” Holland & Knight Robert & Rebecca Vargas Firm Award Mitchell Kitroser Guardianship/Probate/ Law Award Jason Lazarus Civil Litigation Award Jack Scarola Community Service Award Linda Spector Juvenile Law Award Matthew Thibault Employment Law Award6 • LEGAL AID SOCIETY

“Celebrating Justice”4 Wonderful GIFT GATHERING GALASFour wonderful Gift Gathering Galas, which were hosted byChristine & Michael Hanley at their home, The South PalmBeach County Bar Association together with Isaacs & Reid,P.A., at the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum and Learning Center,The Firm of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath at the home ofMolly and Scott Smith, and at Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barnat the Palm Beach Gardens Mall provided wonderful social eventswhere guests donated over 300 gifts for Legal Aid’s 27th Annual ProBono Evening and Auction. Christine & Michael HanleyDenise Isaacs Rappaport & Andrea Reid Scott Smith, Bob Bertisch, & Molly Smith Lea Wimer & Glory RossBig Crowd @ Brooks Brothers EventBrooks Brothers in the Gardens Mall has been kind enough to partnerwith the Legal Aid Society for this fabulous event for the past 10 years.Daniel, Denise, Jin and Drew Hanley Patricia Leonard, Ellen Malasky, Jill Weiss, Michael Napoleone, Jason Guari, Michelle Suskauer and Sarah Cortvriend Bill Abel and Scott Murray WINTER 2016 • 7

“Celebrating Justice”15th Annual Cup of Justice Golf Classic The 2015 Cup of Justice Golf Classic raised $50,000 to support Legal Aid’s Educational Advocacy Project which strives to ensure equal access to public education for children with disabilities in Palm Beach County. Attorney and Legal Aid Board Member, Robert M. W. Shalhoub, has successfully chaired this event for the past 15 years. Legal Aid was pleased to have Sabadell United Bank as the Presenting Sponsor, Florida Crystals as Lunch Sponsor and Dex Imaging as Dinner Sponsors this year. Congratulations to Esquire Bank, this year’s Champions.Event Chair, Robert M.W. Shalhoub, Paul Shalhoub, & Christine PhippsRoughriders: Roger Hurd, Robbie Wight, Tournament Champions: Esquire Bank: Graham Jason Taite, Robert Sheres,Stan Klett & John Copeland Davidson, Evan Frederick, Vincent Cuomo & Sean Denyse Daniela Gordon & Howard DuBosarWine Under the Stars @ 4th Pankauski PourOver 250 wine aficionados enjoyed what has become anannual wine tasting event hosted by West Palm Beachattorney and noted wine connoisseur, John Pankauski,together with sponsors, Coral Gables Trust and BramanMotor Cars to benefit the Legal Aid Society. The eventraised over $6,000 to help Legal Aid continue to providemuch needed legal services to 8,000 disadvantagedindividuals and families each year John Pankauski, Aileen Merkin, Fred Dinger & John McLendon8 • LEGAL AID SOCIETY

““CCeelelebbrraattininggJJuusstticicee””Tux Shop Event Susan Damon, owner of the beautiful Tux Shop in Palm Beach Gardens celebrated the beginning of her premiere season in October by hosting a trunk show to benefit the Legal Aid Society. Thank you to Susan, her husband John and the wonderful staff of the Tux Shop for providing a beautiful array of designer menswear, delicious hors d’oeuvres and specialty drinks. Greg Huber, Bob Bertisch, Lorie Gleim & Jerry BeerCatherine & David White John & Susan Damon Adam Doner & Greg ZeleBruce & Ellen Malasky Michael & Cindy Napoleone Jennifer & Adam Rabin WINTER 2016 • 9

Pro Bono Corner:You Don’t Have To Be An Expert To HelpWith Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Project:The Legal Aid Society’s Pro Bono Project, in conjunction with the law firms of Carlton FieldJorden Burt and Roig Lawyers, is pleased to announcenew initiatives designed to meet the emerging legal needsin our community. Three key areas of need have beenidentified: representation of juveniles in dependencycourt, guardian advocacy, and domestic violence.You don’t have to be an expert in one of the threeareas to be involved though. The Pro Bono Projecthas begun partnering with point people at variouslaw firms to schedule trainings in those specific areas of law, which are then led by Legal Aid staff attorneys. So farthrough this process over 20 attorneys have been recruited and trained, and are ready to handle pro bono cases inthose critical need areas. For more information on this or any other pro bono opportunity, please contact KimberlyRommel-Enright, Esq., Pro Bono Project of the Legal Aid Society, 561-655-8944 ext. 265 or [email protected] DULCE continued from page 5:income families who have been identified Home visits and telephone check-ins The intervention component adaptsby the Project DULCE social worker are scheduled depending on the family’s and combines elements of two existingwithin the patient-centered family home in needs. At six months, the DULCE Family programs: Healthy Steps and Medical-areas that include, but are not limited to: Specialist turns care over to the primary Legal Partnership. The evidence-basedincome support, health coverage, housing, care team at the CL Brumback Healthcare Healthy Steps program adds a professionaleducation and employment, eligibility for Clinic on 45th Street. with knowledge of child developmentpublic benefits, family relations, domestic to a child’s pediatric primary care teamviolence, discrimination, disability and Caretakers and parents of newborns are to support positive parenting througheducational rights, and other legal factors recruited in the primary care pediatric clinic knowledge, modeling, ongoing support,that severely impact the family’s health at CL Brumback Healthcare Clinic when referrals (when needed), optional homeand safety. they come for one of their new baby’s first visits and a telephone phone line. The visits. As soon as the consent process is MLP supports families by providing legalDULCE Family Specialists will work completed, the family is randomly assigned advice, consultations, and representation toclosely with parents of newborns – with the to either the intervention or control group.. address their civil legal needs. The DULCEdual goals of improving child development Family Specialist is trained by the MLP toand reducing maltreatment. This is Families in the control group receive an identify legal and social needs that mayaccomplished by providing families with informational session on safe sleep and safe affect a child’s health and development andsupport for any unmet legal needs and age- transportation, with an option of receiving to take action either by helping the familyrelated information on child development. either a portable crib or car seat. Families advocate for themselves, or by referringSince DULCE is part of a pediatric medical in the intervention group are assigned a them to an appropriate public health,home, benefits of the program are not only DULCE Family Specialist who works and legal, or social service agency or resourcefor the new baby and parents, but the whole partners with the family during the first (including the MLP).family – especially siblings. Families meet six months of the baby’s life. The DULCEwith the DULCE Family Specialist at all Family Specialist provides families withroutine visits. support for unmet legal needs and provides information on child development.10 • LEGAL AID SOCIETY

KGeeivpiinnggtheOir Hpopmeo: rtunities:Cy Pres:The term Cy Pres means “as nearly as possible” and is a legal doctrine dating from the third century allowing the courts to carry out the terms of an agreement as closely as possible. In class action lawsuits it refers to the distribution of unclaimed settlementfunds for purposes benefitting society. As many of you know, class action lawsuits can last of a number of years. As a result some ofthe class members move, pass away, or are difficult to locate, and the settlement fund is unable to be fully distributed to all those whowere harmed. The doctrine of cy press allows the distribution of some or all of those unclaimed monies to an appropriate charity – suchas the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.In 2015 Legal Aid was the recipient of $185,000 in cy pres funds thanks to the advocacy and generosity of the following law firmswhich requested the court to distribute these unclaimed monies to our organization:• Silber & Davis• Greenwald Davidson Radbil, PLLC• Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, LLP• Berger & Montague/Berman De ValerioPlease keep us in mind for any Cy Pres funds that may become available in any of your class action cases.Sponsorship Opportunities for: DerbyDerby DONORS • Listing in advertising, the event program, Legal Aid Society’s 28th Annual Pro Bono sponsor board and event invitation Recognition Evening & Auction • 6 complimentary event tickets Saturday, May 7th, 2016 CHAMPIONS • Listing in advertising, the event program,GRAND BENEFACTORS• Prominent exposure in advertising, the event sponsor board and invitation • 5 complimentary event tickets program, sponsor board and event invitation LEADERS• Special recognition during the event • Listing in advertising, the event program,• Reserved seating at premiere tables sponsor board and event invitation• 20 complimentary event tickets. • 4 complimentary event ticketsBENEFACTORS SPONSORS• Prominent exposure in advertising, the event • Listing in advertising, the event program, program, sponsor board and event invitation sponsor board and event invitation • 2 complimentary event tickets• Special recognition during the event• 10 complimentary event tickets For more information, please contact Harreen Bertisch at 561-822-9763.PATRONS • Prominent exposure in advertising, the event WINTER 2016 • 11 program, sponsor board and event invitation• 8 complimentary event tickets

LEGAL Legal Aid Society Nonprofit Org. of Palm Beach County, Inc. U.S. PostageAID 423 Fern Street, Suite 200 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 PAIDSOCIETY www.legalaidpbc.org West Palm Beach, FL.Palm Beach County Permit No. 1445 Fighting for Fairness Promoting 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 thispublications may be reproduced in any form without the express consent of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc. Copyright 2012, all rights reserved. Save Derby the Dates: Legal Aid Society’s 28th Annual Pro Bono Pankauski Pour Recognition Evening & Auction Friday, February 26th, 2016 www.pankauskipour.com Saturday, May 7th, 2016 DERBY: Legal Aid Society’s 28th Annual Pro Bono Recognition Evening & Auction Saturday, May 7th, 2016 Contact Harreen Bertisch at 561-822-9763 for sponsorship and ticket information12 • LEGAL AID SOCIETY