Post-Sandy Recovery Efforts – Volunteers Needed For Friday’s Pro Bono Clinic

From KALAGNY:

We know this has been a difficult time for many of you. We hope you and your family are safe and are recovering post Sandy.

KALAGNY invites volunteer attorneys to make a difference in the lives of those adversely affected by Sandy.  Along with other social service providers, we will hold a pro bono “clinic” this Friday, November 9, 2012, from 1-6 p.m. at the Korean American Association of Greater New York (149 West 24th Street, 6th Fl. in Manhattan) (map). No specialized legal experience is necessary. A training session and lunch will be served at noon at the same location prior to the clinic.

At the clinic, KALAGNY and its partner organizations will provide legal support to individuals and businesses that may be facing homelessness, unemployment, medical exigencies, business interruption, or a combination of the foregoing. We are seeking 1-2 bilingual (i.e., Korean) volunteers for an information table at the Clinic.  Please e-mail [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering by Wednesday November 7, 2012.

NYS Bar Association Sets Up Legal Hotline to Assist Storm Victims

From the NYSBA website:

1-800-699-5636 Toll-free Number for Legal Questions

New Yorkers with legal problems related to Superstorm Sandy can receive free advice from volunteer lawyers through a program sponsored by the New York State Bar Association, President Seymour W. James, Jr. announced today.

“We know there will be a great need for legal assistance in the coming weeks,” said James (The Legal Aid Society in New York City). “We are grateful to attorneys who go above and beyond to serve their communities.”

Volunteer attorneys will answer storm-related questions about insurance, real estate issues (landlord-tenant and other property disputes) and general legal matters, such as replacing missing wills and other documents.

Storm victims seeking legal advice can call a toll-free hotline: 1-800-699-5636. They will receive the name and phone number of a volunteer attorney. Callers will be eligible for a free legal consultation of up to 30 minutes, either by phone or in person.

Individuals whose applications for emergency assistance are rejected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be able to speak with an attorney about how to appeal the decision.

The Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) is coordinating the program in partnership with the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. They are working closely with local bar associations, legal assistance providers, community programs and local officials in storm-battered areas of the state.

Attorneys wishing to volunteer can visit  www.nysba.org/DisasterVolunteerSandy or call 518-463-3200.