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For Release: Immediate
November 13, 2012
Contact: Lise Bang-Jensen
Director, Media Services and Public Affairs
Lbang-jensen@nysba.org
518-487-5530
STATE BAR SPONSORS STATEWIDE WEBCAST TO TRAIN
ATTORNEYS ON ASSISTING STORM VICTIMS
The New York State Bar Association is hosting a
statewide webcast on Thursday, November 15, on "Providing Legal
Assistance to Persons Affected by Superstorm Sandy," President Seymour
W. James, Jr. said today.
The webcast will be streamed live between 4 and 7 p.m. from the
Association's headquarters at One Elk Street, Albany, NY. The video also
will be archived on the State Bar website for later viewing. The Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
American Red Cross officials and others will participate.
The session is designed for attorneys and law students who want to
assist Superstorm Sandy victims—
through telephone hotlines and community clinics sponsored by state and
local bar associations, legal service providers and law schools.
The program, which is free of charge, is open to State Bar
Association members and non-members. Pre-registration is required.
To register online, go to www.nysba.org/SuperstormSandyFreeCLE.
President James (The Legal Aid Society in New York City) has called
on lawyers across New York to volunteer to help storm victims.
"Many downstate attorneys who otherwise might volunteer are
themselves personally or professionally affected by Superstorm Sandy. It
is gratifying that so many upstate attorneys have answered the call to
volunteer," James said. "We encourage additional attorneys to volunteer,
because the need for legal assistance is expected to grow in the coming
weeks."
The State Bar has created a toll-free hotline (1-800-699-5636) for
callers with legal problems related to the storm. Callers receive a free
legal consultation of up to 30 minutes from volunteer attorneys. To
volunteer, attorneys can visit www.nysba.org/DisasterVolunteerSandy
or call 518-463-3200.
Free MCLE Webcast and Live
Program
Thursday's program will include an overview of state and federal relief
programs. Panelists will include representatives from the American Red
Cross, FEMA, IRS, Coast Guard, Small Business Administration, state
Department of Labor and state Department of Financial Services.
Panelists also will include attorneys who are experts on the legal
issues that Superstorm Sandy victims might face. The issues covered will
include: insurance; housing (landlord/tenant); home foreclosure;
disaster unemployment insurance; replacing lost wills, deeds and other
legal documents; banking; consumer debt/credit; and family law.
Panelists will offer best practices and advice on counseling clients
impacted by the storm.
Upon completing program, attorneys are eligible for 2.0 Mandatory
Continuing Education Credits (1.0 in professional practice and 1.0 in
skills). Newly admitted attorneys must attend the program in Albany to
qualify for MCLE credit. For more information, go to www.nysba.org/SuperstormSandyFreeCLE.
The training is sponsored by the New York State Bar
Association—Committee on Continuing Legal Education, Department of
Pro Bono Affairs, Law Practice Management Department, Lawyer Referral
and Information Service, Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section,
and Committee on Children and the Law—in conjunction with Touro
Law Center, Empire Justice Center, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New
York, Albany County Bar Association, The Legal Aid Society in New York
City and The Legal Project.
The 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest state
voluntary bar association in the nation. It was founded in
1876.
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