 From the Director's Desk
Hello and welcome to our first eNewsletter. I'd like to thank each of you who have supported our mission this past year either through your time as a pro bono attorney or through your financial donations. Your support makes a profound difference in the lives of many.
Three Rivers Legal Services, like so many free civil legal services across the country, has been affected by the changes in the economy, the political climate, and most poignantly, the changes in the lives of our clients. Unemployment is soaring, disabled veterans are living on the streets, and the courts are backlogged with foreclosure cases. It is during this time, that we gather all of our resources and strength to respond to the needs of low income people in the seventeen counties we serve. We have been very fortunate to receive two cy pres awards last year and two new grants to serve people living with threatened or actual foreclosure actions involving their homes. Also, in response to what feels like never-ending wars, TRLS has made a determined effort to focus on the needs of those who have served in the military and are now facing hardship and homelessness.
TRLS is staffed with capable workers ranging from our receptionists to our senior attorneys and managers. In addition, we have volunteers who are students and practicing attorneys. Without our volunteers, we would never be able to reach as many people as we do. Yet, with our best efforts, we only manage to serve between twenty and fifty percent of the people who are eligible and in need of service. The Florida Bar Foundation has provided us with a "Pro Bono Grant" that makes it possible for us to continue training and recruiting volunteer attorneys. This special training opportunity has piqued the interest of some and reinforced the efforts of many others who have served our clients for years.
I am always encouraged by the generosity of spirit and work of our staff, board, and volunteers.
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Pro Bono/CLE Training
|  | Florida Supreme Court
Justice James E.C. Perry
5th Annual 3rd Circuit
Private Bar Involvement
Reception
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Last year proved to be a very exciting year for the Pro Bono Project. With funding from the Florida Bar Foundation, we were able to provide two in-person CLE presentations in the substantive areas of family law and elder law, followed by seven webinars focusing on specific topics of interest identified by the private bar. The full-day events, as well as the webinars, were very well attended and we received very positive feedback. This year, we will offer in-person CLE presentations in the substantive areas of advanced family law and consumer law. The family law presentation is scheduled to take place in March, while the consumer training will likely take place in late Spring.
Participation in our Pro Bono Project has increased in the rural areas and we wish to thank all of the volunteer attorneys who made 2010 such a success by accepting pro bono referrals, by participating in our divorce,
|  | Allison Thompson
Executive Director |
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small claims, and advance directives clinics, by participating in our mentoring project and by providing presentations on behalf of TRLS. We invite all attorneys, in both the public and private sectors, to participate in our Pro Bono Project this year. For those attorneys who are unable to volunteer during regular business hours, we offer opportunities to assist clients after hours or on weekends and for those attorneys who are unable to provide direct services to clients, we offer opportunities to provide community legal education to vulnerable populations including seniors and disabled veterans. Whether you have two or two hundred hours to volunteer, we will work with you to provide a positive pro bono experience.
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Good Outcomes
Gainesville - Domestic Violence
Our client, represented by one of our newly hired AmeriCorps attorneys, was in an abusive marriage for twenty-one years. One evening her husband arrived home in an angry rage and shoved a gun in her face. She knew, like her grown children before her, she had to leave. During the hearing, she recounted how it felt to have the cold steel barrel of a gun pointed directly in her face; how she escaped and ran through the woods. There was no time to change out of her pajamas, put shoes on, or grab her glasses as she fled. She ran toward safety even after hitting a tree and fearing she had broken her nose. The look on our client's face as the Judge granted an extended temporary injunction was priceless. Her petite frame was still and peace came over her frightened face. THIS was her victory. The cycle of abuse had finally ended.
Jacksonville - Mortgage Modification
Our clients came from Haiti with the American Dream of home ownership in their hearts. They did all the right things: sought employment and bought a home at a reasonable price and interest rate. They were a hard-working family raising four children and a niece.
When the recession set in they both lost their jobs and were unable to make their mortgage. A foreclosure suit was eventually filed and the husband came to TRLS for assistance. One of our Jacksonville staff attorneys worked hard for this couple for nearly two years and in early January, 2011 a formal and final Modification of Mortgage was signed.
Fortunately, they have both found employment again, are back on track financially, and are able to stay in their home. Due to the hard work and commitment of TRLS, they still have a chance at their American Dream.
Lake City - SSI, Tax Assistance, Paternity, Medical Assistance
Our client gave birth to a baby boy with several medical issues in September 2007. A few months before the child was born, the father died in a tragic car accident. The car burst into flames and there were no identifiable remains. Unfortunately, the parents of the baby had not married before the accident and the decedent's mother contested the validity of her son's paternity.
There were several reasons for paternity to be established: one was the necessity of genetic information due to the extent of the baby's medical issues. There was also the possibility of a wrongful death suit as a result of the accident which could result in proceeds going to the child as an after-born heir. Also, paternity needed to be established so that the child could receive social security survivor benefits based on the father's record. We opened the estate for the decedent on behalf of the prospective heir, and the court named our client (child's mother) as the personal representative over the objection of the decedent's mother. Once the estate was opened, we filed a paternity action in the probate case.
After much work on the part of TRLS, the scientific testing was done and the decedent was found to the biological father of the baby. Legal paternity was established and subsequently one of our Lake City paralegals was able to establish back social security benefits for the child in the amount of $18,150 and monthly benefits of $669. One of our Jacksonville staff attorneys assisted the client in completing a tax return for the estate which yielded $918 to benefit our client's child - the sole heir of the estate.
After two years of litigation, we were able to help this client establish paternity, obtain medical assistance for her child, obtain substantial back social security benefits as well as monthly SSI benefits, and receive money from the estate's tax return. Thankfully, after numerous surgeries, our client's baby is healthy and thriving.
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Your support makes possible our continued success in bringing justice to low income residents throughout North Florida. Thank you for all you do.
Allison Thompson, Executive Director
Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc.
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In This Issue
| From the Director
| Pro Bono/CLE Training
Good Outcomes
| Advocacy
Save the Date
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Advocacy
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The provision of quality legal service to our clients remains a constant that cannot and will not be compromised. Confronted with budgetary constraints and limited resources we have implemented the use of litigation tools to assist us in enhancing efficiency in the provision of these services. Specific, published case protocols, case plans, and triage guidelines in substantive areas of law have been generated and have proven themselves to be of great use. Also, managing attorneys in each of our offices maintain an open door policy to assist with legal issues and case staffing as needed and as the Advocacy Director, I meet monthly in litigation strategy sessions with the offices of TRLS. The formulation of a written strategic plan for the Program has also outlined advocacy priorities. These tools, along with an intensely dedicated and talented staff, and the contributions of pro bono attorneys have helped us to continue to effectively navigate waters troubled by a marked economic downturn.
Rodney Runyons
Advocacy Director |
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Save the Date
| Pro Bono Intermediate Family Law Training
March 25, 2011
Professor
Steven J. Willis
UF Law
(Family Law & Tax)
Thomas E. Stone, Esq.
(3rd Circuit Attorney,
Child Support)
John R. Nettles, Esq.
(8th Circuit Attorney Board Certified in
Family Law, Equitable Distribution)
Santa Fe College
3000 NW 83rd Street
Room R01
Gainesville, FL
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Lunch will be provided
This free training is intended for 3rd & 8th Circuit attorneys interested in learning
more about family law,
but any attorney is welcome.
If you would like to attend please contact
jennifer.cox@trls.org
or call
(386) 752-5960
to confirm availability |
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