Press Release: Access Justice Brooklyn Announces the Appointment of Jack Aldrich to Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, March 24, 2023

ACCESS JUTICE BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW BOARD MEMBER

Brooklyn, New York –– Access Justice Brooklyn announces the appointment 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

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Press Release: Access Justice Brooklyn Announces the Retirement of Lawrence F. DiGiovanna and Steven Zelkowitz from Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 23, 2023

ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES THE RETIREMINET OF 2 BOARD MEMBERS AND ELECTION OF NEW BOARD LEADERSHIP

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

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Our Legal Services Team is Expanding

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.

Access Justice Brooklyn hosts Foreclosure Answer-a-thon at Brooklyn Borough Hall

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.

Building Wealth in Brooklyn Communities

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.

Deepen your support for the Brooklyn community: Everyone, whether an attorney or not, can help expand access to the legal system and realize a vision of justice for all – make a gift today!

NBC 4 New York’s Melissa Russo To Emcee Access Justice Brooklyn Gala 

Access Justice Brooklyn is excited to announce Melissa Russo, Political and Government Affairs Reporter for NBC 4 New York, will emcee our Gala on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.

Melissa Russo is NBC 4 New York’s award-winning Political and Government Affairs Reporter and a member of the NBC 4 I-Team, the station’s investigative unit. An expert in local policy and politics with unmatched sources, Melissa is often the first to break major stories on her beat.

Known for delivering thoughtful, in-depth coverage of issues not ordinarily tackled on local television news, Russo has achieved unprecedented, extended access inside New York’s homeless shelter system, juvenile jails and family courts. Her work has generated significant government policy changes and have been recognized with two of New York Emmys, in the categories of journalistic enterprise and societal concerns reporting.

The Access Justice Brooklyn Gala celebrates and honors the work of extraordinary individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving the public good and equal justice. This year, we are delighted to honor Dedication to Justice awardee Janice Mac Avoy, Partner at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP and Lifetime Achievement awardee Charles John O’Byrne, Executive Vice President for Policy at Related Companies. The evening’s program will also feature the presentation of the Champion of Justice Award to the Paramount Global Law Department.

As our premier fundraising event, funds raised for the Gala strengthen our critical work and impact throughout the borough. Confirm your support today at: www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org/gala

Support Access Justice Brooklyn during #BrooklynGives

It’s time to deepen your support for the Brooklyn community and fight for justice!

Access Justice Brooklyn is partnering with Brooklyn Community Foundation’s #BrooklynGives campaign to tap into the power of our community and encourage you to Give Where You Live!

The lingering effects of the pandemic continue to impact Brooklyn residents – particularly seniors, communities of color, and individuals with low incomes. 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.

Providing civil legal services to Brooklynites in need is critical, but Access Justice Brooklyn cannot do it alone. Join us in becoming legal advocates for our community!

Show your support, make a gift today, and consider becoming a fundraiser.

Visit our #BrooklynGives page to create a personal fundraising campaign, and share our mission and impact with your family and friends.

Access Justice Brooklyn Celebrates Pro Bono with Paramount Global and Blank Rome LLP

On October 27, 2022, Access Justice Brooklyn hosted a virtual clinic for Paramount Global and Blank Rome LLP volunteers who generously donated their time in support of our Family Stabilization services in celebration of National Pro Bono Week.

During our Pro Se Uncontested Divorce Clinic, thirty-three attorneys and staff were trained on the uncontested divorce process. Twenty-one Paramount and Blank Rome volunteers later assisted eight of our clients with drafting divorce pleadings and explaining how to commence the divorce action with the court. 

Thank you to everyone for their participation last week and a special thank you to event organizers Tricia Mecklembourg, Joe Richburg, Andrew Hughes, and Andrew Wong, co-chairs of the Paramount Global Pro Bono Committee and Kathy Ochroch, Partner and Director of Pro Bono and Community Impact, and Krystal Kane, Pro Bono Attorney, from Blank Rome.

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.

Upcoming CLE:

Introduction to Consumer Bankruptcy, Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 3:00–5:0PM

Representing Homeowners in Administrative Hearings, Wednesday, December 7, from 3:00–5:0PM

Access Justice Brooklyn at the 2022 NYSBA Partner Conference

On October 19, 2022, Access Justice Brooklyn Director of Legal Services, Sidney Cherubin, served on a panel with New York State Bar Association president, Sherry Levin Wallach, alongside Edwina Martin, Rebecca Shapiro, and John Sullivan for a Plenary Session on Invisible Disabilities at the 2022 NYSBA Partnership Conference in Albany, NY.

Invisible Disabilities Week takes place on October 16-22, 2022. In the United States, 96% of people with chronic medical conditions show no outward signs of their illness, and 10% experience symptoms that are considered disabling. Attendees explored ways to identify invisible disabilities an discuss tools and resources available to attorney and clients.

NYSBA’s Partnership Conference is the premier civil legal services educational and networking conference attended by leaders of civil legal service organizations and private law firms from across New York State.  

Upcoming CLE:

Cultural Competence CLE, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 3:00–4:30PM

For more information upcoming CLE events and volunteering with Access Justice Brooklyn, please email Anne O’Grady, Pro Bono Director.

New Face to our Consumer Debt Practice

We are excited to introduce Franka Cepele, a graduate of Brooklyn Law School and former volunteer, who we welcomed to the Access Justice Brooklyn team in August 2022 as a Staff Attorney for our Consumer Debt & Bankruptcy program. Franka is a Pro Bono Scholar at Legal Aid’s Prisoners’ Rights Project and has other public interest experience in immigration, disability rights, and clerking for a Supreme Court judge.

Franka Cepele, Staff Attorney
“The unfortunate reality is that “justice” in the context of the American Legal System, is more of an idyllic concept rather than a mandated outcome – especially for underserved communities facing legal challenges. That is why I wanted to work for Access Justice Brooklyn. Through programs like VLFD and CLARO, we provide people in our community with the necessary tools to properly advocate for themselves and tremendously increase their chances of obtaining favorable outcomes. I believe that justice shouldn’t be a rare occurrence reserved only for those with wealth and power, it should be a guarantee for every person who walks into a courthouse.”

As Staff Attorney for Access Justice Brooklyn, Franka will oversee our Volunteer Lawyer for the Day Consumer Debt Program (VLFD) program in Kings County Civil Court and strengthen our consumer debt practice and The Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office (CLARO), which delivers critical advice and representation to hundreds of Brooklynites a year. To learn more about the services we provide through our Consumer Debt & Bankruptcy program, click here.