January 13, 2017
eBrief



2016 is a recording breaking year for the BBVLP!

Thanks to the hundreds of attorneys who volunteered last year  the BBVLP closed more than 2,700 cases, which is up more than 400 cases than 2015, or a 20% increase. Below is a breakdown of each program:

Civil Help Desk 
More than 1,100 people were seen at the Civil Help Desk, which is an increase of around 300 people. The majority, 240 clients, needed help because they were wrongly being evicted, their house was in danger of foreclosure, or they had unsafe living conditions.

Domestic Relations Help Desk 
The BBVLP helped over 1,230 clients at the Domestic Relations Help Desk. Of those cases, almost 850 clients received help with a divorce, and  127 of those cases involved Domestic Violence victims.

The new Homeless Help Desk 
Some 180 clients were served, with 90 clients needing help reinstating licenses / ID's.

Pro Bono Patent Program 
With a total of 45 application requests in 2016, the Patent Program helped more clients than ever.

Besides the Help Desks clients, volunteer attorneys closed over 360 full pro bono cases, which is up from 300 in 2015. 

Even though the BBVLP had a record breaking year, we are more determined than ever before to helping more clients in 2017. If you are interested in signing up to volunteer at a Help Desk, please click here. If you have questions about a specific Help Desk, please email the Staff Attorney below:

Domestic Relations: Heather Bussey
Civil Help Desk, Bankruptcy Help Desk, *NEW* Veterans Help Desk: Katrina Brown
Bankruptcy 101 CLE: ABC's of Screening a Bankruptcy is Friday, January 20th


Bankruptcy 101 CLE: ABS's of Screening a Bankruptcy is 11 a.m. - 1 p.m on January 20th at the Birmingham Bar Association. At this CLE, you will learn how to screen clients for possible Chapter 7 bankruptcies in preparation for the BBVLP's new 2017 monthly Pro Bono Bankruptcy Help Desk. The new clinic, for low-income clients, is beginning in February on the first Friday of every month at the Federal Bankruptcy Court.

Register by emailing Katrina Brown.
 HELP A CLIENT IN NEED
1. Help This Mother of Three Through Her Divorce Process

The client's spouse had a wreck last week and was charged with a DUI. All of their children were in the vehicle with no seat belts on. The spouse is addicted to drugs and alcohol and has abused the woman throughout the marriage. (17-0007655)

*Clients face is blurred for Domestic Violence
*This is the second time in eBrief
2. Please Help This Abused Mother of Four Minor Children Through Her Divorce Process

This mother of four small children needs your help navigating the divorce process. The spouse has been violent towards the client throughout their marriage. 
(17-0007658)

*Clients face is blurred for Domestic Violence
*This is the second time in eBrief
3.  This Mother of Three Needs Help with Her Pending Divorce

The client's spouse has temporary custody of their three minor children and will not allow our client to visit her children. There has been continued abuse throughout the marriage. The client has also applied for disability. (17-0007648)

*Clients face is blurred for Domestic Violence
*This is the second time in eBrief
4. Please Help This Couple Adopt Their Foster Child

This couple has served as guardian over their foster daughter for more than 15 years. The clients love their foster daughter and want her to be recognize as their legal daughter through an adoption. ( 17-0007676)

 BE A HELP DESK VOLUNTEER
Charlie Lorant, Lorant Law Group, volunteers at the Civil Help Desk. The Lorant Group was recognized for their pro bono work by being awarded a 2016 Pro Bono Small Firm. 


Rachel Barlotta, Baker Donelson, helps a client at the Domestic Relations Help Desk. 
Click here to volunteer at a Help Desk! We are seeking volunteers for all of 2017 and for the following dates in the next weeks:

THERE IS NO HELP DESK MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017 FOR MLK DAY!

Civil Help Desk:
Monday 01/23/2017 
8:30 - 10:00 a.m. 
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Monday  1/30/2017
8:30 - 10:00 a.m. 
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Domestic Relations Help Desk:
Wednesday 01/25/2017
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday   01/25/2017
8:30 - 10:00 a.m. 
Veterans Help Desk:
Wednesday 01/25/2017
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

 HELP DESK ATTORNEYS: 93 CLIENTS SERVED
THE BBVLP SERVED A RECORD BREAKING (93!) AMOUNT OF CLIENTS THIS WEEK!!

Monica Austin-Hatcher
Tarackia Barge
Rachel Barlotta, Baker Donelson
Megan Elder, Kirk Drennan
Melinda Guillaume
Lorrie Hargrove, Maynard Cooper Gale
Caleigh Hart, Lorant Law Firm
James Illston, Merrell Law Firm
Kendra Johnson
Loring Jones, III, Jones & Associates
Preston Martin, Bressler Amery & Ross
Louis Mendez, Bressler Amery Ross
Honza Prchal, Heninger Garrison Davis
Adam Tice
Pamela Weed

Volunteers:
Jessica Chang, Cumberland Law School
 ATTORNEYS VOLUNTEERING NEXT WEEK
Victoria Ebrahimi-Charles,
The Frankowski Firm
Melinda Guillaume Jessie Hardy,
Kirk Drennan Law
Preston Martin,
Bressler Amery & Ross
Matthew McVay
Preston Nichols,
The Law Firm of Preston
Ford Nichols
Honza Prchal,
Heninger Garrison Davis
Heather Ward,
Maynard Cooper & Gale

 ATTORNEYS WHO ACCPETED A CASE THIS WEEK
Megan Elder
Kirk Drennan

Megan took a divorce case from the Domestic Relations Help Desk for a woman whose spouse is currently in jail for attempted murder.

 ATTORNEYS WHO CLOSED A CASE THIS WEEK
John Paul Bruno
The Lorant law Group

John Paul helped a veteran avoid homelessness by getting his eviction case dismissed and helping him work with a social service agency to pay back rent and secure less costly housing.

Ann Gathings 
Gathings Law

Ann took a divorce case from the Domestic Relations Help Desk and helped her client receive a divorce.
Louis Montgomery
Bhate Environmental

Louis helped a domestic violence victim with eight children receive her divorce.



 NEWS TO KNOW

Donate
Donations from the community are the number one funding source for the Volunteer Lawyer Program. 
Click here to donate.

There are two ways attorneys can choose to help with the Volunteer Lawyer Program. Click here for what you can do.


Only clients who cannot afford representative are served by the BBVLP. Click here to see eligibility guidelines.
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