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The Equalizers
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JFS Legal Referral Service unites
clients in need with attorneys.
Elizabeth Applebaum
Special to the Jewish News
I
t all began with a few too many
they cannot effectively represent them-
selves," said LRS volunteer attorney
Laurel Stuart Fink. "To preserve the
integrity of the judicial system and to
fulfill our social obligation to provide
care for each other, ifs incumbent upon
attorneys to assist"
The lawyers assure clients that while
they are in a rough spot, they still will be
able to access the finest legal services.
"It tells our dients,`You're worth our
time:" Goldberg says. "It gives people
back their sense of dignity and self-
worth:'
mad dashes down the halls of
Jewish Family Service (JFS) in West
Bloomfield.
"Does anyone know a lawyer?" some-
one would call to colleagues throughout
the building. The caveat: The lawyer had
to be willing to work for free.
In the past few years, with increasing
economic troubles in Michigan, JFS' cli-
entele has come to indude a large num-
ber of local residents facing
bankruptcy and eviction.
Enter "the equalizers:'
This year, the JFS Legal
Referral Service (LRS)
marks five years. A joint
project between the area's
legal community and a
social service agency, the
LRS matches clients need-
ing legal assistance with
attorneys willing to help
Amy Haimann, JFS chief development officer;
at no cost. It may mean
answering a single question Lindsay Leder, JFS director of volunteer services;
or guiding a client through Mark Jacobs, chair of the Legal Referral Service;
and Kelly Goldberg, coordinator of the LRS.
a complicated procedure.
This is why Mark Jacobs,
an attorney who helped
found the LRS, calls its volunteers "the
Attorneys decide how much time they
equalizers:'
can donate, making it easy for anyone to
"This organization is a safety nee,' he
participate. Often it takes just a little to
says. "We work with more than 100 law-
save a life.
yers — not law students, not rookies, but
Goldberg says, "The attorneys tell us
some of the finest lawyers in the area:'
they feel so humbled to be able to make
Since its creation, and with longtime
a difference:'
support from the Jewish Women's
She recalls one family facing eviction
Foundation, the LRS has served some
whose lawyer discovered their landlord
300 clients for a total of more than
was charging them double the rent. He
$1 million in pro bono services. Most
pursued the matter and quickly the fam-
involve family issues like divorce (the
ily was guaranteed another six months
leading cause of poverty for women), fol- in their home, plus a reduced rent
lowed by bankruptcy. The LRS does not
"The fact the family had a bright,
accept criminal or personal injury cases.
experienced advocate meant the differ-
The LRS has "become an integral part ence between their being able to stay in
of our core services:' says Lindsay Leder, their home and eviction:' Goldberg says.
JFS director of volunteer services.
Sometimes those homes are in expen-
The LRS is a team effort involving
sive neighborhoods, inhabited by people
attorneys, JFS social workers, case man-
who once were generous donors to JFS
agers and staff with expertise. A JFS
and other Jewish organizations.
client needing legal advice discusses the
"The struggles of our community are
situation with a case manager. The case
palpable," Jacobs said. "You hear about
manager refers the client to JFS Legal
people facing difficulties and you think,
Services Coordinator Kelly Goldberg. Her `Them?' But no one is immune:'
next step is uniting client and attorney.
Attorneys interested in volunteering
The lawyers are a diverse group. The
may contact Kelly Goldberg at (248) 592-
one trait they share is compassion.
1907. Those needing help from the Legal
"There are a tremendous number of
Referral Service must be a JFS client, and
people who need access to the courts _
can contact the JFS Resource Center at
who are in family law situations where
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March 1 • 2012
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