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I am grateful for individuals like each of you . . . who are dedicated to the ideals of providing legal assistance to the most vulnerable of our citizens in order to fulfill the promise of equal justice for all Americans.
--Hillary Rodham Clinton

PRO-BONO FAMILY LAW PROJECTS


 

Dear Ms. Kelly:

As the Administrative Judge of New York City Family Court, I have participated in a number of false starts or aborted attempts to achieve a concerted effort to provide pro bono representation for indigent litigants in Family Court. Each was a worthwhile effort. I always be-lieved that the experience would lead, not only to a better profes-sional relationship with the law firms involved, but also to a viable program.

In great part due to the dedication and hard work of everyone at MFY involved in the Pro Bono Adoption Project, in par-ticular you and Sara Wienkes, that vision has become a reality in the area of adoptions...

MFY and its participants have contributed to a positive, systemic change in the culture of indigent representation in New York City Family Court. You should be heartened and proud of this accomplishment.

—Joseph M. Lauria
Administrative Judge"
New York City Family Court
 

Kinship Caregiver Law Project
In New York City, over 300,000 children are being raised by grandparents and other relatives because their parents are unable to care for them. MFY's Kinship Caregiver Law Project helps to stabilize families, promote children's security, and prevent children from entering the foster care system. The project matches grandparents and other kin caregivers with private attorneys from well-established firms who provide advice, counsel and representation to caregivers.

The Project's services include full representation in court for kin caregivers who are pursuing legal guardianship, legal custody, or other matters that may involve petitioning the Court. In addition, pro bono attorneys provide information, advice and counsel to kinship caregivers who are exploring permanency options or who require assistance to secure public benefits. The Project also conducts workshops for kinship caregivers and social service staff on guardianship, custody, adoption, foster care, visitation, public benefits and other topics of concern.

Pro Bono Adoption Project
In 2004 MFY launched the Pro Bono Adoption Project in collaboration with New York City Family Court to help reduce a backlog of foster care adoption cases by matching foster care parents with agency-approved adoptions with private pro bono attorneys who finalize the adoptions. With the backlog reduced, the project will phase out during 2006 as the remaining cases are finalized.

Family Court Law Project
MFY Legal Services, Inc. collaborates with the New York City Family Court to recruit and train pro bono attorneys to provide on site advice and counsel to families that come to the Family Court without representation on matters involving child support, visitation, and custody.


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