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November 15, 2012
STATE BAR APPLAUDS HIGH COURT FOR ALLOWING
OUT-OF-STATE ATTORNEYS TO SERVE SANDY VICTIMS
New York State Bar Association President Seymour W. James, Jr. today
commended the state Court of Appeals for allowing out-of-state attorneys
to volunteer their legal services to New Yorkers affected by Superstorm
Sandy.
The Court authorized out-of-state attorneys—those who are not
licensed in New York—to provide pro bono services in designated
counties in New York. The attorneys cannot represent clients in court,
but can assist with clinics and other services for storm victims under
the supervision of an established New York bar association or other
eligible legal service provider.
In explaining its decision, the Court said it “determined that an
emergency exists that affects the justice system and that certain New
York residents affected by the storm may benefit from the provision of
pro bono services from outside New York.” The measure is limited
to New York City and Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk,
Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.
(Link: http://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/news/nottobar/NottoBar111412.pdf.)
“With thousands of New Yorkers suffering, we welcome pro bono help
from out-of-state attorneys. Many New York attorneys who might otherwise
volunteer have themselves been displaced by the storm,” said James
(The Legal Aid Society in New York City). “We encourage attorneys
upstate, downstate and out-of-state to volunteer to assist storm
victims.”
More than 1,600 attorneys have registered to participate in the State
Bar Association’s webcast today from 4 to 7 p.m. on
“Providing Legal Assistance to Persons Affected by Superstorm
Sandy.”The free program will be webcast statewide from the State
Bar Center in Albany. It also will be archived on the State Bar website
for future viewing.
The New York State Bar Association has created a toll-free helpline
(1-800-699-5636) for New Yorkers facing storm-related legal problems.
Volunteer attorneys are answering 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.
Presently, some attorneys from Florida and Illinois, who are licensed
to practice in New York, are answering callers’ questions about
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Court of
Appeals declaration will permit other out-of-state attorneys to offer
their assistance. Many already have expressed interest in assisting
storm victims and have experience dealing with prior disasters elsewhere
in the country.
Today’s training 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.
The webcast can be viewed online or at one of four viewing
centers.
Live Presentation (today from 4 to 7 p.m.):
• State Bar Center | One Elk Street, Albany, NY | (518)
463-3200
Program will be webcast (today from 4 to 7 p.m.) to groups of attorneys
at:
• New York City Bar Association | 42 West 44th Street, New
York, NY | (212) 382-6600
• Touro Law Center (with Suffolk County Bar) | 225 Eastview
Drive, Central Islip, NY | 631-761-7005
• Nassau County Bar Association | 15th & West Streets,
Mineola, NY | (516) 747-4070
Online (live today 4 to 7 p.m.; archived for later viewing):
• www.nysba.org/SuperstormSandyFreeCLE
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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