On Saturday, May 20, 2023, Access Justice Brooklyn co-sponsored the CUNY Citizenship Now! Citizenship Subway Series hosted by our partners, CUNY Citizenship Now!, Dominicanos USA and Univision Nueva York at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. We are thrilled to report 450 people registered for the event surpassing the collective goal to assist 250 green card holders with their applications for US citizenship and fee waivers for qualifying low-income applicants.
We are so grateful to all the volunteers who participated, including our pro bono partnering law firm Fried Frank.
For more information about pro bono partnership opportunities with Access Justice Brooklyn, please contact Anne O’Grady, Pro Bono Director.
For a list of our current Pro Bono Partners, click here.
ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES ELECTION OF NEW YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD LEADERSHIP AND THE APPOINTMENT OF ONE NEW MEMBER (click here to download the press release)
Brooklyn, New York –– Access Justice Brooklyn announces a change in leadership of the organization’s Young Professionals Board (YPB), with the elections of Michelle D. Tuma, Associate at Winston & Strawn LLP and Lisa V. Zivkovic, Ph.D, Associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP as co-chairs and Anita Rojas Carroll, Associate at Rower LLC as vice chair following the YPB meeting held on February 22, 2023 along with the appointment of one new member, Keren Goldshlager, at the organization’s Board meeting held on April 18, 2023.
Upon election, Michelle and Lisa shared, “We are both thrilled to be stepping into the role of co-chairs of the Young Professionals Board at Access Justice Brooklyn. As members of the YPB for a few years now and both litigators with active pro bono practices, we are particularly excited to expand the membership to include young professionals across a variety of industries. We believe that recruiting from a diverse pool will further the mission of the YPB and Access Justice Brooklyn and are eager to assist with the expansion of new volunteer opportunities. We expect this to be a year of growth and cannot wait to get started.”
Additionally, Anita shared the following, “I am honored and excited to serve as vice chair of the Young Professionals Board. Access Justice Brooklyn’s mission is very close to my heart; I am a fourth generation Brooklynite and started my career in nonprofit legal services in Brooklyn. Throughout my transition into private practice, my ties to the public interest community have remained front and center. I am fortunate to have been able to collaborate with Access Justice Brooklyn’s family law team to provide pro bono services through my firm, and look forward to what this year has in store for the organization.”
Joining Access Justice Brooklyn’s YPB is Keren Goldshlager, Strategic Response at Meta. Upon appointment, Karen said the following:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Young Professionals Board of Access Justice Brooklyn, and excited to help advance its mission to support our neighbors and ensure a more equitable Brooklyn.”
Access Justice Brooklyn’s YPB was established to support the organization’s Board of Directors and its goal of making the legal system more accessible and equitable for low-income Brooklyn residents. The YPB unites rising talent professionals across the legal and non-legal sectors who are motivated to utilize their time, experience, and diverse skill sets in service of Access Justice Brooklyn’s mission. The YPB serves as an advisor to and agent of the full Board, driving an array of activities including community outreach and program expansion, event planning and fundraising, and providing strategic guidance to the organization.
Keren joins a 6-member Young Professionals Board including: Michelle D. Tuma, Winston & Strawn LLP, co-chair; Lisa V. Zivkovic, Ph.D, Morrison & Foerster LLP, co-chair; Anita Rojas Carroll, Rower LLC, vice chair; Ryan Buffkin, SiriusPoint, secretary; Jacob Godshall, GIC; and Wendy Li, BSE Global.
About Access Justice Brooklyn:
Access Justice Brooklyn partners with compassionate pro bono attorneys to provide high-quality, civil legal services that help ensure equal access to the legal system. The organization’s approach prioritizes the most basic, essential elements and experiences of human life, including housing, family stability, and subsistence income. Its proven pro bono model—recruit, train, supervise, and support—also provides flexibility to address new legal issues as they emerge. Everyone, whether an attorney or not, has a role to play in expanding access to justice. Visit www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org or email info@accessjusticebk.org to volunteer, donate, or find other ways to get involved.
Press Contact: Melissa Starr | Senior Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives | 718-473-9209 | melissa@accessjusticebk.org
We are excited to once again have partnered with volunteers at Goodwin Procter LLP and Bloomberg LP for Financial Institution Pro Bono Day (FIPBD). FIPBD is an annual event that serves to spotlight the severe gap in legal services for underserved individuals and promote in-house pro bono engagement and collaboration with law firms and legal services organizations.
On April 27, 2023, Access Justice Brooklyn hosted a virtual Pro Se Uncontested Divorce clinic for ten Goodwin and Bloomberg volunteers who generously donated their time in support of our Family Stabilization services. Under the mentorship of staff, volunteers assisted five of our clients in need of help preparing and filing for an uncontested divorce from their spouse.
The Goodwin Pro Bono Team had this to share, “It was a pleasure working with Access Justice Brooklyn on a Pro Se Divorce Clinic in connection with Financial Institution Pro Bono Day. They provided a clear, structured, and thorough training prior to the client meetings, which allowed our attorneys to feel confident, well-supported, and prepared, even if they did not have prior experience or expertise with this area of law. The clinic could not have been as successful as it was without the outstanding guidance and mentorship provided by Access Justice Brooklyn.”
A special thank you to event organizers Carolyn D. Rosenthal, Director of Pro Bono, Rena Kramer, Attorney, and Kesley Lee, Pro Bono Specialist at Goodwin Procter LLP; as well as Kim Rutan, Global Head of Legal & Compliance Pro Bono, at Bloomberg LP.
For more information about pro bono partnership opportunities with Access Justice Brooklyn, please contact Anne O’Grady, Pro Bono Director.
For a list of our current Pro Bono Partners, click here.
Comments Off on Press Release: Access Justice Brooklyn Announces the Election of Akshay Dhiman, Melanie Kotler, and William Zichawo to Board of Directors
Brooklyn, New York –– Access Justice Brooklyn announces the election of three new members to its Board of Directors following election at the organization’s meeting held on April 18, 2023.
Joining Access Justice Brooklyn’s Board of Directors are Akshay Dhiman, Managing Director – Power, Energy & Infrastructure M&A at Lazard; Melanie Kotler, VP of Legal Counsel – Investments at RenaissanceRe; and William Zichawo, incoming Vice President in Private Wealth Solutions Legal at Blackstone. Upon their election, the new members shared the following:
“I am delighted to be joining the Board of Access Justice Brooklyn, an organization focused on providing equal access to legal services across Brooklyn and the greater New York City area. Access Justice Brooklyn’s services are more important now than ever, and I look forward to using my professional background and experience to further the organization’s mission,” said Akshay.
“I am incredibly honored to join the Board of Access Justice Brooklyn, an impressive team of individuals supporting invaluable services for some of the most underserved populations in New York City. As an attorney who has spent many years dedicated to increasing access to quality education for historically under-resourced students and families, I’ve seen the effects of much wider-scale systemic barriers to justice. The mission and vision of Access Justice Brooklyn truly resonates with me, and I can’t wait to contribute what I can to ensure a more accessible legal system and equitable Brooklyn,” said Melanie.
“I am so thrilled to be joining Access Justice Brooklyn’s Board. The organization’s mission – that no one should be denied legal support due to income, ability, or identity – is more urgent and relevant than ever. I’m highly motivated to work with my fellow board members, Access Justice Brooklyn’s incredible staff, and community partners to expand the reach of high-quality, civil legal services that help ensure equal access to the justice system,” said Will.
Access Justice Brooklyn is committed to serving its neighbors and extending its reach throughout the Brooklyn community by engaging new leaders like Akshay, Melanie, and Will.
“We are thrilled to welcome Akshay, Melanie, and Will to the Access Justice Brooklyn Board. Their undeniable connection to our mission and shared core values combined with such exceptional and diverse professional talents will help advance our community impact goals while strengthening our efforts in dismantling systemic barriers to justice,” said Daniel Angel, Board Resource and Governance Committee Co-Chair, Access Justice Brooklyn Board of Directors.
Akshay, Melanie, and Will join a 22-member board that oversees Access Justice Brooklyn’s governance and strategic development including: Lynn E. Judell, Rukab Brash PLLC, Chair; Stephen Z. Williamson, Law Office of Stephen Z. Williamson, P.L.L.C., Vice Chair; Scottye Lindsey, Santander Bank, Treasurer; Michael Watson, Ford Foundation, Secretary; Jack Aldrich, BlackRock; Daniel Angel, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Elena Bonifacio, Google; Lisa Braun, PwC; Caroline Conway, Stonepeak; Elizabeth Dank, TikTok; Brian Fryd, Cornerstone Research; Jeffrey B. Gewirtz, BSE Global; Adam B. Gilbert, Nixon Peabody LLP; Heidi Lee Henderson, Access Justice Brooklyn, President; Alexander Kaplan, Oppenheim + Zebrak, LLP; Colin S. Kelly, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP; Mark Lande, Island Capital Group LLC; Samuel O. Maduegbuna, Maduegbuna Cooper LLP; Thanya Polonio-Jones, Center for Reproductive Rights; Lee Popkin, Proskauer Rose LLP; Lydia Keaney Reynolds, FARFETCH; and Adam Shepherd, Macquarie Group.
Board recruitment efforts continue as Access Justice Brooklyn seeks diverse candidates who possess the combined dedication, values, skills, and enthusiasm needed to fulfill the organization’s mission, surpass its goals, and propel Access Justice Brooklyn to new levels of impact throughout the borough.
About Access Justice Brooklyn:
Access Justice Brooklyn partners with compassionate pro bono attorneys to provide high-quality, civil legal services that help ensure equal access to the legal system. The organization’s approach prioritizes the most basic, essential elements and experiences of human life, including housing, family stability, and subsistence income. Its proven pro bono model—recruit, train, supervise, and support—also provides flexibility to address new legal issues as they emerge. Everyone, whether an attorney or not, has a role to play in expanding access to justice. Visit www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org or email info@accessjusticebk.org to volunteer, donate, or find other ways to get involved.
Press Contact: Melissa Starr | Senior Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives | 718-473-9209 | melissa@accessjusticebk.org
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) launched a temporary water bill amnesty program to help New Yorkers save up to $150 million of interest when they pay their overdue water bills.
DEP is offering a limited one-time amnesty with up to 100% interest forgiveness for all customers with an outstanding balance. If you owe water and wastewater charges, you may be eligible for this amnesty offer.
For customers with a balance of more than $1,000 for over a year, DEP will offer three amnesty options:
– If 100% of the principal bill is paid, 100% of interest will be forgiven;
– If 50% of the principal bill is paid, 75% of interest will be forgiven; or
– If 25% of the principal bill is paid, 50% of interest will be forgiven.
Customers who owe less than $1,000 are still eligible to receive amnesty on 100% of their interest if they pay their total bill. All customers who participate in the water amnesty program and leave a remaining outstanding balance will be required to enter into a payment agreement with DEP.
For customers that already participate in New York State’s Low Income Homeowner Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), DEP is offering up to an additional $30 million to assist these homeowners with forgiveness of up to $5,000 of their remaining balances.
Do you need help paying other utilities? The NYS Energy Affordability Program/Low-Income Bill Discount Program provides income-eligible customers with a discount on their monthly electric and/or gas bills.
Do you or someone you know need legal help? Begin an online intake here. If you prefer to speak with staff directly, our intake hours are Monday through Thursday between 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please call (718) 624-3894 or email us at help@accessjusticebk.org.
Brooklyn, New York –– Access Justice Brooklyn announces the election of one new member to its Board of Directors following election at the organization’s board meeting held on March 9, 2023.
Joining Access Justice Brooklyn’s Board of Directors is Jack Aldrich, Vice President, Official Institutions at BlackRock and former Chair of the organization’s Young Professionals Board (YPB). Upon his election, Mr. Aldrich shared the following:
“I am delighted and honored to be joining the Board of Access Justice Brooklyn, a purpose-driven organization whose role in ensuring equal access to the legal system for all residents of Brooklyn, is more critical now than ever. As a non-lawyer, I look forward to putting my professional background and previous experience as Chair of Access Justice Brooklyn’s Young Professionals Board to work in service of the organization’s mission.”
Access Justice Brooklyn is dedicated to serving our community and creating a fairer and more accessible legal system by engaging leaders like Mr. Aldrich and strengthening our network and partnerships within the law firms and businesses throughout the City. During his tenure on the YPB, Mr. Aldrich actively participated in and led member recruitment efforts, diversification of fundraising, event management, and the expansion of volunteer opportunities for cross industry professionals.
“I am so pleased that Jack Aldrich is joining Access Justice Brooklyn’s Board. As a founding member of the Young Professionals Board, he has demonstrated such an impressive level of commitment and passion for the organization’s mission as well as capacity to lead with creativity, expertise, and enthusiasm. His accomplishments as Chair of the YPB are just a mere glimpse into what we know will be Jack’s continued impact on the strategic growth of the organization as he embraces his new role as Board Member,” said Stephen Z. Williamson, Vice Chair and Board Resource and Governance Committee Co-Chair, Access Justice Brooklyn Board of Directors.
Mr. Aldrich joins a 21 – member board that oversees Access Justice Brooklyn’s governance and strategic development including: Lynn E. Judell, Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP, Chair; Stephen Z. Williamson, Law Office of Stephen Z. Williamson, P.L.L.C., Vice Chair; Scottye Lindsey, Santander Bank, Treasurer; Michael Watson, Ford Foundation, Secretary; Daniel Angel, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Elena Bonifacio, Google; Lisa Braun, PwC; Caroline Conway, Stonepeak; Elizabeth Dank, TikTok; Brian Fryd, Cornerstone Research; Jeffrey B. Gewirtz, BSE Global; Adam B. Gilbert, Nixon Peabody LLP; Heidi Lee Henderson, Access Justice Brooklyn, President; Alexander Kaplan, Oppenheim + Zebrak, LLP; Colin S. Kelly, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP; Mark Lande, Island Capital Group LLC; Samuel O. Maduegbuna, Maduegbuna Cooper LLP; Thanya Polonio-Jones, Center for Reproductive Rights; Lee Popkin, Proskauer Rose LLP; Lydia Keaney Reynolds, FARFETCH; and Adam Shepherd, Macquarie Group.
Board recruitment efforts continue as Access Justice Brooklyn seeks diverse candidates who possess the combined interests, skills, values, enthusiasm, and dedication needed to fulfill the organization’s mission, surpass its goals, and propel Access Justice Brooklyn to new levels of impact.
About Access Justice Brooklyn:
Access Justice Brooklyn partners with compassionate pro bono attorneys to provide high-quality, civil legal services that help ensure equal access to the legal system. The organization’s approach prioritizes the most basic, essential elements and experiences of human life, including housing, family stability, and subsistence income. Its proven pro bono model—recruit, train, supervise, and support—also provides flexibility to address new legal issues as they emerge. Everyone, whether an attorney or not, has a role to play in expanding access to justice. Visit www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org or email info@accessjusticebk.org to volunteer, donate, or find other ways to get involved.
Press Contact: Melissa Starr | Senior Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives | 718-473-9210 | melissa@accessjusticebk.org
Brooklyn, New York –– Access Justice Brooklyn announces the retirement of long-time Board Vice Chair Lawrence F. DiGiovanna, Partner, Abrams Fensterman LLP, and Board Member, Steven Zelkowitz, President, Utility Technology Solutions, and the election of former Board Secretary, Stephen Z. Williamson, Principal Attorney, Law Office of Stephen Z. Williamson, P.L.L.C., as Vice Chair and Michael Watson, Senior Investment Analyst, Hedge Funds, Ford Foundation, as Secretary following the organization’s March 9, 2023 board meeting. In addition, Lynn E. Judell, Of Counsel, Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP, and Scottye Lindsey, Head of US CIB Leveraged Finance, Santander Bank, were re-elected as Chair and Treasurer, respectively.
Upon retirement, Larry DiGiovanna, who joined the Board of Directors of Access Justice Brooklyn in 1999 and served on the Executive Committee as Vice Chair for twenty years and chaired the Audit Committee since 2015, said: “I am deeply appreciative for having had the opportunity and ability to serve the organization as a volunteer, Board Member, and officer. I congratulate the Board on the amazing progress that has been made over the past decade in bringing Access Justice Brooklyn from a modest but effective provider to one of the top volunteer legal service organizations in New York State. Our accomplishments in growth, both financial and programmatic, give us all reasons to be proud. But for those who have engaged in volunteerism, we know the most gratifying moments come when clients, each in their own way, express their appreciation for our help, although we require no such thanks.”
Steve Zelkowitz, who also joined the Board of Directors of Access Justice Brooklyn in 1999 and chaired the organization’s Investment Committee from 2014-2020, shared the following: “It has been my honor and privilege to serve as a member of the Board of Access Justice Brooklyn for over 23 years, and contribute, in some small way, to its development and growth into a critical part of the legal infrastructure in Brooklyn providing vital legal services to the underserved of the borough. I wish the organization and its staff nothing but continued success in achieving its important mission.”
Over the years, Larry and Steve have epitomized the definition of leadership, generosity, and dedication. Their unwavering support, expert guidance, and vision helped shape the organization, propelling the advancement of Access Justice Brooklyn’s mission and pioneering pro bono model.
Reflecting on their contributions to the organization, Board Chair, Lynn Judell said the following: “Larry and Steve are shining examples of what it means to be legal advocates for our community. Their shared values and commitment to equal justice are what helped pave the path for Access Justice Brooklyn to enhance its role in providing high-quality, civil legal services to Brooklyn’s underserved communities. Their influence and impact will be forever embedded into the fiber of Access Justice Brooklyn’s work and fulfillment of our mission.”
About Access Justice Brooklyn:
Access Justice Brooklyn partners with compassionate pro bono attorneys to provide high-quality, civil legal services that help ensure equal access to the legal system. The organization’s approach prioritizes the most basic, essential elements and experiences of human life, including housing, family stability, and subsistence income. Its proven pro bono model—recruit, train, supervise, and support—also provides flexibility to address new legal issues as they emerge. Everyone, whether an attorney or not, has a role to play in expanding access to justice. Visit www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org or email info@accessjusticebk.org to volunteer, donate, or find other ways to get involved.
Press Contact: Melissa Starr | Senior Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives | 718-473-9210 | melissa@accessjusticebk.org
We are excited to introduce two new Access Justice Brooklyn legal assistants – Bella Nunes, who we welcomed to the team in November 2022, and Delilah Hernandez, who we welcomed to the team in January 2023.
Bella is a graduate of American University where she majored in International Studies and minored in Justice and Law. She has prior experience as an immigration paralegal and has worked on legal policy issues at the National Juvenile Justice Network.
Bella Nunes, Legal Assistant “I was interested in joining Access Justice Brooklyn because the mission of the organization aligns very closely with my personal and professional values. I have always been a champion for justice, and I wanted to be part of an organization that genuinely advocates for marginalized communities in my neighborhood. Justice should be a fundamental right to everyone; however, the harsh reality is that many individuals don’t have access to adequate resources to successfully navigate the complex US legal system. Access Justice Brooklyn helps bridge that gap to ensure that Brooklynites have the tools necessary to achieve justice. I’m beyond excited and proud to join the team here at Access Justice Brooklyn and I look forward to helping the organization further advance its mission across the borough.”
Delilah is a graduate of Cornell University where she majored in Development Sociology and minored in Law and Society. She has prior experience as an intake volunteer at the Ithaca Tenant’s Legal Hotline, a Community Basic Needs Project Coordinator at the Center for Transformative Action, and a Student Advocate at Cornell’s Student Assembly Office of Student Advocate.
Delilah Hernandez, Legal Assistant “The mission of improving the lives and experiences of people from marginalized communities has guided me throughout my undergraduate career and in forging my path as a recent graduate. I’m excited to join Access Justice Brooklyn as it’s an organization that meets people directly where they are at in life. From seeing first-hand how CLARO (our in-person consumer-debt clinic) operates to provide Brooklyn community members with on-demand access to attorneys, I see the impact that the services have on the livelihoods of our community members facing upcoming court challenges. I look forward to serving as a Legal Assistant at Access Justice Brooklyn by connecting our clients to the appropriate resources and guiding them through our services to ease the process of attaining help.”
As Legal Assistants for Access Justice Brooklyn, Bella and Delilah will conduct intakes with prospective clients and staff, providing information and/or referrals to clients seeking legal assistance as well as support our Legal Services team in foreclosure, consumer debt, bankruptcy, family law, and other practice areas. To learn more about the services we provide, click here.
On Friday, January 20, 2023, Access Justice Brooklyn hosted a Foreclosure Answer-a-thon in partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Legal Services, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A), NHS Brooklyn, and New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). The event was held at Brooklyn Borough Hall and helped homeowners facing foreclosure draft an answer to their foreclosure summons and/or complaint.
Access Justice Brooklyn Supervising Attorney, Peter S. White II, spearheaded the event. Peter shared the following:
“Deed fraud and foreclosure numbers are on the rise and Brooklyn homeowners are in critical need of free legal help with drafting foreclosure legal documents. By hosting the Answer-a-thon, Access Justice Brooklyn and participating partners reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that homeowners in foreclosure timely invoke every foreclosure defense available to them.”
The lingering effects of the pandemic, rapid gentrification, and rise of housing scams continue to impact Brooklyn residents – threatening to displace homeowners and increase the burden of debt for individuals and families. Last month, Access Justice Brooklyn and our partners were able to assist 23 homeowners in danger of losing their homes. Although drafting an answer is only the first step, our neighbors can rest assured they will not lose their home due to a default judgement.
Opportunities to partner with peer-organizations to provide free legal assistance and community education allows us to not only help far more of our neighbors than we could alone, but also offer an expansive array of services and expertise. In addition to our homeowner focused community events, Access Justice Brooklyn also provides weekly foreclosure intervention and prevention services at the Kings County Supreme Court to support Brooklyn homeowners through the Foreclosure Legal Assistance Group program held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the Friend of the Court program held on Thursdays. Access Justice Brooklyn also provides representation in Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) cases brought by the New York City Department of Buildings, helping individuals resolve or reduce the debt burden from violations.
To learn more about the services we provide through our Homeowners Assistance program, click here.
In October 2022, Access Justice Brooklyn represented Mark-Anthony, a lifelong Brooklyn resident and homeowner since 2001, at a closing for the Basement Apartment Conversion Pilot Program (BACPP), New York City’s new program to help fund the conversion of home basements into safe, legal, and rentable apartment units. Mark-Anthony sought out the program in hopes to use his home to generate more income as well as demonstrate to his community that programs like the BACPP can help empower Brooklyn homeowners.
Access Justice Brooklyn assisted Mark-Anthony in reviewing loan and construction contracts – helping him navigate the process of clearing the title of any issues that could possibly jeopardize ownership of his home. Upon closing, we discovered Mark-Anthony was the very first homeowner to obtain and close on a BACPP loan!
Access Justice Brooklyn, alongside our partners at Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, helped Mark-Anthony turn his home into an investment property, allowing him to earn additional income and support his community by creating safe and legal units for Brooklyn tenants. Learn more about Mark-Anthony’s story in our 2022 Program Video.
Rapid gentrification and the skyrocketing cost of living in the borough threaten to displace Brooklyn homeowners and increase the burden of debt for individuals and families. Free, accessible legal services are essential to supporting our neighbors and ensuring the stability of Brooklyn’s diverse communities. But we cannot do it alone.
Bella Nunes, Legal Assistant
Delilah Hernandez, Legal Assistant
