Practice Area: Pro Bono & Public Good

Bill Provides $560 Million to the Legal Services Corporation

In its waning hours, the 117th Congress passed the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which included the association’s perennial federal legislative priority of increased funding for the Legal Services Corporation.  On Dec. 29, President Biden signed the measure, which provides $560 million through Sept. 30. The LSC is an independent non-profit corporation established by Congress in … Continued

It’s Time To Take ‘Hygiene’ out of the Mental Hygiene Law

“I’m clean. I’m not supposed to be here. I’m clean.” Derek pleaded with me in the doorway of his room on the locked inpatient psychiatric unit at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie. He pressed on: “I did my laundry this morning. I brushed my teeth. These other people stink. I take care of myself.” I … Continued

Two Capital Region Lawyers Honored for Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare by New York State Bar Association

The New York State Bar Association honored two Capital Region legal champions with the Howard A. Levine Award for Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare — Justice Elizabeth A. Garry, presiding justice of the New York State Appellate Division, Third Department, and Rensselaer County child advocate Douglas Broda. The award recognizes vital work undertaken … Continued

Ethics Opinion 1199

Topic: Attorney website to assist pro se litigants; marketing of legal services Digest: An attorney may, under certain conditions, establish a separate business through a website to assist pro se litigants with filings through an automated system where the business will not be providing individualized legal advice or advertising a law firm’s legal services. If … Continued

Ethics Opinion 1197

Is a lawyer participating in a free legal services program and receiving a nominal fee from the program administrator subject to the full panoply of provisions governing conflicts of interests set out in the Rules?