All in a Day's Work: Wilson Sonsini at Boston Medical Center Guardianship Clinic

In April, VLP partnered with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Boston Medical Center Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, and The Spark Center for Autism to help draft Guardianship Petitions for eight clients whose children are turning eighteen. We are thankful for the volunteers who participated, their work made a huge difference in the lives of our clients and their families. Three clients from this clinic will receive full representation support from VLP. VLP is excited to grow this partnership and to continue to hold more guardianship clinics with Boston Medical Center.

Pro Bono Attorney Elena Plenefisch Advocates for Family's Needs

"This was a great family- they were lovely, warm people and I could sense the love they had for their children. It was nice to be able to help them take the step to maintain their family."-Elena Plenefisch, Esq.

In December, a client came to VLP’s Family Law and Guardianship clinic seeking assistance filing for a Rogers guardianship of their 18-year-old son who has autism. Upon sending this case to our panel, Pro Bono Attorney Elena Plenefisch and her mentor Omar Hemady at White & Case took this case and got to work assisting the client with the filing of permanent Guardianship of their son. Once they met with the family, Attorney Plenefisch was able to help the client navigate the additional documentation required for a Rogers guardianship. The family had originally been scheduled for a hearing for temporary guardianship, but Attorney Plenefisch coordinated with the Respondent's court- appointed attorney and advocated for the client and his wife to be appointed as permanent guardians. As a result, our client and his wife were appointed permanent guardians of their son on January 29, 2025, greatly reducing their stress and allowing them to make important medical decisions for their son and administer the medication he requires. Throughout this case, Attorney Plenefisch was compassionate and thorough, and her hard work had a tremendous impact on the life of this client. Thank you, Attorney Plenefisch, for your commitment to helping this family!

Staff Attorney Elizabeth Mason’s Dedication Pays Off!

VLP's Employment Staff Attorney, Elizabeth Mason, successfully completed an affirmative trustee process case to collect on an unsatisfied judgment. The judgment was issued in small claims court in 2020 for $1,735.58 against our client's former employer for unpaid wages. After an uphill battle with an unresponsive defendant, our client was able to collect what was rightfully owed to him. He was able to collect his check of $2,681.06 which accounts for interest and the amount owed in the original judgment for his unpaid wages. This was in addition to the $572.82 already paid to the client earlier this year. The client was excited and grateful to have received what was owed to him, he couldn't wait to tell his mother. In addition to what was awarded to the client, Attorney Mason was awarded $12,231.54 in attorney's fees. This was a big success for Attorney Mason given the lack of legal precedent to award attorney's fees. Congratulations on this major win, Elizabeth!

A Warm Welcome to our New VLPies!

Kevin Corkran, Esq.

Consumer and Bankruptcy Staff Attorney

Belen Gonzalez Gaete

Bilingual Intake Specialist

Nickolas Grout, Esq.

Family Law and Guardianship Staff Attorney

Sarah Mullis, Esq.

Landlord Advocacy Staff Attorney

Art, Music and Dance Around the World: Interpreter Meet and Greet

VLP's Language Access Committee hosted our 4th Annual Interpreter Meet and Greet! We love being able to connect with our interpreters outside of client meetings. The evening was filled with great conversation, food, and an exciting program centered around Art, Music and Dance Around the World. Our interpreters contribute greatly to our mission by creating language accessibility for our limited English proficient clients. Their work makes an invaluable difference to our organization and in the lives of our clients, and we are extremely grateful for their support!

Are you or someone you know fluent in Cape Verdean Creole, Somali, Portuguese or Portuguese Creole? VLP is seeking contract interpreters for these languages, learn more about this paid per diem opportunity here.

Apply Today!

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Discounted MCLE Vouchers for our Volunteers

We offer discounted training vouchers to those who volunteer with us, reducing the cost of MCLE trainings to $35. Contact Pro Bono Manager, Emelia Andres to request your voucher today.

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