Summer 2023: Meeting Neighbors Where They Are!

From free homeowner workshops in East New York to street fairs in Park Slope and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, our staff and volunteers have been busy providing quality legal services and education to our neighbors borough-wide.

We kicked off the summer season with The Dream Squad and The Arthur Project’s Carnival Resource Fair at the Meyer Levin School for the Performing Arts on Saturday, June 3rd, where we got to enjoy live performances from the The Meyer Levin Steel Orchestra, dance performances, and more.

On Wednesday, June 7th, Access Justice Brooklyn and City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse hosted a Homeowner Help Workshop in partnership with NHS Brooklyn. Despite the air quality advisory in New York City that day, we were able to assist nearly 20 homeowners with late-stage foreclosure and Department of Building violations and complaints. Read more about the event here.

The following week, we celebrated Pride Month by participating in the Brooklyn Pride Festival & Parade held in Park Slope on Saturday, June 10th. We also attended the Brooklyn Community Board 2 & Friends of Commodore Barry Park Health Fair also held that same weekend near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

On Friday, August 11th, we helped neighbors gearing up for back to school at the NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, East New York Resource Fair and Back to School Giveaway. Neighbors received free school supplies while Access Justice Brooklyn and other participating organizations shared valuable resources with families in Ozone Park.

Through our continued partnership with NHS Brooklyn and Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse, we held our second event Homeowner Help Workshop on Thursday, August 17th at her district office. Over 30 homeowners were able to meet one-on-one with housing counselors and attorneys for help with foreclosure, Department of Buildings violations, and other homeowner concerns.

We closed out the summer vacation with two Back to School events hosted by Councilmember Sandy Nurse held on Saturday, August 19th at Thomas Boyland Park and Sunday, August 27th at Highland Park.

Before we officially say goodbye to summer, we will be participating once again in Senator Roxanne Persaud’s Annual Senate District 19 Senior Resource Fair to be held on Thursday, September 7th at her district office! This annual event provides seniors with information about health care, mental health and wellness resources, City and State agencies, community organizations and more.

Click here to view our calendar for more upcoming events!

Highlighting Access Justice Brooklyn’s Summer Interns on National Intern Day

National Intern Day is July 27, 2023, and to celebrate we are delighted to introduce, highlight, and celebrate Access Justice Brooklyn’s Summer Interns! As an organization operating with a full-time program staff of fourteen, our interns play an especially critical role in our day-to-day work and impact.

Sarah Genchanok, Rising 2L, Brooklyn Law School, NYSBA Catalyst Public Service Fellowship Recipient 
“I was interested in interning at Access Justice Brooklyn because of the opportunity to provide direct assistance to the Brooklyn community for a variety of legal matters. So far, I’ve gained hands-on experience on how to best assist and advocate for clients by appearing on the record on behalf of pro se litigants in Civil Court and learned how to discuss potential resolutions and settlements with opposing counsel. I am incredibly grateful to the organization’s staff and our supervising attorneys for their guidance!”

Sydney Korman, Rising 2L, Brooklyn Law School, NYSBA Catalyst Public Service Fellowship Recipient 
“I was drawn to interning with Access Justice Brooklyn due to its mission of promoting a fair and accessible legal system. This opportunity has been immensely valuable, providing me with practical legal skills that can only be learned through hands-on experience. Moreover, I’ve gained a profound understanding of what it means to ardently advocate for clients.”

Caroline Strauss, Rising 2L, Brooklyn Law School, NYSBA Catalyst Public Service Fellowship Recipient 
“I was interested in interning with Access Justice Brooklyn because of their commitment to ensuring a more accessible legal system. I have had the opportunity to learn how to best advocate for my clients by doing hands-on work in real time including writing discovery orders and order of dismissals, taking part in settlement negotiations, and writing settlement stipulations, and arguing motions in front of the presiding judge.” I’ve gained a lot of confidence thus far, and I look forward to learning even more in these last weeks of my summer internship.”

From conducting intake to staffing legal clinics and representing clients on civil legal matters, our interns are making a long-lasting difference in the lives of those who are often overlooked and underserved.

We are incredibly grateful and proud of their compassion and dedication to Access Justice Brooklyn and those we serve! For more information about volunteering with Access Justice Brooklyn, visit: www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org/take-action

Press Release: Access Justice Brooklyn Announces the Appointment of Trish Lilley to Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, July 24, 2023

ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES THE ELECTION OF A NEW BOARD MEMBER (click here to download the press release)

Brooklyn, New York –– Access Justice Brooklyn announces the election of a new member to its Board of Directors following the organization’s meeting held on July 18, 2023.

Joining Access Justice Brooklyn’s Board of Directors is Trish Lilley, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Thompson Coburn LLP. Upon her election, Trish shared the following:

“I am honored to join the Access Justice Brooklyn board as its mission to provide critical civil legal services and access to the justice system to low-income individuals across Brooklyn and greater New York City is truly life-altering and empowering for those served, many of whom are in marginalized communities. I am thrilled that the organization’s goal of achieving equitable access to justice for all regardless of income, identity or ability aligns so closely with my personal values, and I look forward to leveraging my professional experience to contribute and further Access Justice Brooklyn’s mission in partnership with its talented staff and dedicated board.”

As Access Justice Brooklyn enters its second year since its transformative rebrand and celebrates 33 years of service to the Brooklyn community, the board remains focused on raising the organization’s profile among potential clients, community partners, volunteers, and supporters.

“We are delighted to welcome Trish to the Access Justice Brooklyn Board. With deep pro bono roots, a passion for justice, and a keen understanding of how to strategically maximize partnerships, Trish is uniquely positioned to play a key role in efforts to strengthen the visibility of the organization within marketing, legal, and cross industry professional networks, while strengthening our impact throughout Brooklyn,” said Lynn Judell, Chair, Access Justice Brooklyn Board of Directors.

Trish will join a 25-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, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Secretary; Jack Aldrich, BlackRock; Daniel Angel, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Elena Bonifacio, Google; Lisa Braun, PwC; Caroline Conway, Stonepeak; Elizabeth Dank, TikTok; Akshay Dhiman, Lazard; 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; Melanie Kotler, RenaissanceRe; 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; Adam Shepherd, Macquarie Group; and William Zichawo, Blackstone.

Board recruitment efforts continue as Access Justice Brooklyn seeks diverse candidates, across varying industries, who possess the combined dedication, values, skills, and enthusiasm needed to fulfill the organization’s mission, surpass its goals, and advance Access Justice Brooklyn’s vision for an equitable Brooklyn where everyone knows their rights and has access to legal support.

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

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Unclaimed Funds: Find lost money at the New York State Comptroller’s Office

Every day New York State returns $1.5 million to those who file claims with the Office of the New York State Comptroller.

Banks, insurance companies, corporations, and the courts are required by law to report dormant or inactive accounts to the State Comptroller’s Office. Companies and organizations must attempt to notify you by mail and publish the information in newspapers if you have money in these accounts. Despite these efforts, billions of dollars remain unclaimed and are turned over to the State Comptroller’s Office.

There is a total of $955,603,433 in unclaimed funds in Kings County – is any yours?

Types of Unclaimed Funds Accounts

  • – Bank Accounts – savings, checking, and/or certificate of deposit (CDs)
  • – Court Funds – settlements
  • – Dividends – corporate profits to shareholders
  • – Estate Proceeds – wills and trusts
  • – Insurance Benefits and Policies
  • – Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds – investment funds
  • – Telephone, Utility, and Security Deposits

Search for Lost Money

Visit www.osc.state.ny.us/unclaimed-funds to begin your search. Enter your last and first name or organization name. If you find a match, select the Name or Address for more information about the item you wish to claim. You can submit a claim online or mail-in a claim form. For more information about the process and available resources, click here.

AVOID UNCLAIMED MONEY SCAMS!

Beware of people who pretend to be the government and offer to send you unclaimed money in exchange for a fee or the exchange of confidential personal information. The State Comptroller’s Office never charges a fee to return unclaimed funds. This practice is called phishing – a criminal activity using various techniques to trick you into providing personal or financial information through an email request or through a link to a fraudulent Web site. For more information on phishing, please visit the New York Department of State, Division of Consumer Protection.

Access Justice Brooklyn and City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse Host Homeowner Help Workshop

On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Access Justice Brooklyn, and City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse hosted a Homeowner Help Workshop in partnership with NHS Brooklyn. The event was held at Councilwoman Narcisse’s District Office located at 5827 Flatlands Avenue, Brooklyn and helped homeowners address foreclosure and building violation concerns.

Access Justice Brooklyn Supervising Attorney, Peter S. White II, spearheaded the event. Peter shared the following:

“Many of our clients live in Eastern Brooklyn and are unable to commute downtown to obtain assistance due to work and accessibility limitations. This event marked an occasion in which we collectively saw a need in the community to provide essential housing and legal services to homeowners where they live.”

Despite the air quality advisory in New York City that day, Access Justice Brooklyn, and our partners were able to assist nearly 20 homeowners with late-stage foreclosure and Department of Building violations and complaints.

Thank you to Councilwoman Narcisse for hosting Access Justice Brooklyn at her district office allowing us to meet with homeowners in their community to provide free legal assistance and education where they live.

Access Justice Brooklyn’s Homeowner Assistance program 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. We also provide representation in the 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.

Access Justice Brooklyn Partners with AXA XL on Annual Global Day of Giving

We are thrilled to partner once again with volunteers at AXA XL in celebration of their Annual Global Day of Giving. The AXA XL Global Day of Giving allows AXA XL staff the opportunity to donate their time and skills to organizations in the communities they work and live in.

On June 7, 2023, Access Justice Brooklyn hosted an in-person clinic for eight AXA XL volunteers and two interns who generously donated their time in support of our Family Stabilization services. Under the mentorship of staff, volunteers assisted five of our clients to prepare and file their initial divorce papers with the Kings County Clerk.

Thank you to Rachel Alt-Simmons, Head of Global Claims Innovation & Optimization, Claims Strategy & Transformation, Jason Atkinson, Senior Claim Specialist, Design Professional, Liesel Carvajal, General Counsel US Insurance, Kimberly Landgrover, Legal Counsel, Matthew Murabito, General Counsel, Investments, David Ralls, Associate General Counsel, Thomas Vargo, Claims Manager – Aerospace, North America,  and Lian Phua, Head of Americas, Political Risk, Credit and Bond, Jean-Gabriel Pierre, Head of Global Investment Strategy, for their participation last week.

A special thank you to event organizer Dana Rosenbaum, Senior Legal Counsel, Investments and Pro Bono Committee Chair!

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 co-sponsors CUNY Citizenship Now! Citizenship Subway Series

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.

Press Release: Access Justice Brooklyn Announces the Election of New Young Professionals Board Leadership and Appointment of New Member

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

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

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Access Justice Brooklyn partners with Goodwin and Bloomberg for Financial Institution Pro Bono Day

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.

Press Release: Access Justice Brooklyn Announces the Election of Akshay Dhiman, Melanie Kotler, and William Zichawo to Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, April 28, 2023

ACCESS JUTICE BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES THE ELECTION OF 3 NEW BOARD MEMBERS
(click here to download the press release)

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

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