2011 DONOR LISTING (continued) RILS ADVOCATE < $ 99 RHODE ISLAND LEGAL SERVICES Individuals Michael & Roberta Aaronson Roy and Janet Mumford ANNUAL REPORT Manuel Alexander Raymond Neirinckx Anonymous Charles L. Noice ** 2011 Elizabeth Aubin Marie O'Flaherty Gretchen M. Bath ** Nick and Lenny Phelan Rene G. Brown Joseph M. Proietta ** Margaret Burns Rogers Betty Richard Anna Mae Burton ** Arthur and Judith Robbins Joseph Cavanagh, III David Rourke Brenda J. Clement Peter A. Schavone Judith Covington** Jeffrey C. Schreck Dianne M. Curran Anthony Sciarretta Mary K. Curtin ** Gary Spino Barbara Czarnicki ** Charles and Helen J. Staunton Peter A. DiBiase Lia N. Stuhlsatz** Christine J. Engustian V. Tessitore Claire Ernsberger Richard B. Tucker, III April Fiordelisi ** Michael Zabelin ** Priscilla Foley Cecily Ziegler ** Susan Geary ** John Zompa Donna ** and Greg Gelineau Janet Gilligan ** Corporations, Trusts, Foundations, Law Firms and Other Organizations Juan Glomba ** American Inns of Court Connie Gomes Gorham & Gorham Inc. The Honorable Gilbert V. Indeglia Bruce I. Kogan Leslie Kolb ** Veronika M. Kot ** Theresa Livolsi Martha Maier Barbara L. Margolis Ernest G. Mayo Edward R. McCormick Steven J. McDonald Kelly Monteiro

Every effort has been taken to insure the accuracy of this listing. Please accept our sincere apologies if there are any errors or omissions, or if we printed your name accidentally though you had asked for anonymity. justice. dignity. self-reliance. 2011 DONOR LISTING (continued) Thank you for Making a Difference RILS ADVOCATE < $ 249 Denise Aiken ** Bartley & Christine McNally The Honorable Lillian M. Almeida Michael Milito In 2011, we were once again thankful for the support and generos- Rebecca Angelone ** Joseph R. Miller ity of our community. You helped make a difference in the lives of Anonymous Thomas Mirza* over 20,000 Rhode Islanders. Peri Ann Aptaker The Honorable Patricia D. Moore James F. Bartley Frances ** & Gardner Munro The need for legal aid in Rhode Island continues to be critical. Even Paul Brule Stephen Napolitano though the economy shows some early signs of improving, unem- Stephen M. Brusini The Honorable Rafael A..Ovalles ployment and other critical economic indictors continue to stall in Bob Bruzzi Susan Tracy Perkins the Ocean State. Further, our low-income clients are often the last to William Burke Linda Perrotta ** reap the benefits of any economic recovery. Our clients continue to Amey F. Cardullo Nancy Garcia Ponte rely on us for no cost legal aid in civil matters. Vincent J. Chisholm Louis M. Pulner * Andrew J. Chlebus Ronald J. Resmini John A. Coletti Timothy Robenhymer More than 200 supporters made financial gifts to Rhode Island Le- Eric Contre Barbara Roberts gal Services last year. In addition, many attorneys volunteered their David A. Cooper Ariana Rodgers ** time and effort to help provide legal assistance to low income peo- Benjamin C. Copple Dominick Ruggerio ple in need through the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Volunteer John & Kathleen Corrigani Catherine Schneider Lawyer Program. Our staff also continued to exhibit amazing dedi- Annonymous Turner C. Scott cation, accepting reduced salaries and adjusting work hours to make Liane M. Czirjak ** Elizabeth ** & Jim Segovis budget ends meet. Thank you also to our Board of Directors who Richard D'Addario Mr. & Mrs. John Skenyon have provided valuable insight and unfailing support at all times. Deborah DeBare * Eric B. Sweet William J. Delaney The Honorable Sarah Taft-Carter * We would also like to recognize the on-going support of the newly Amato A. DeLuca Monica Teixeira de Sousa formed Committee for Equal Justice as it continues to dedicate time Peter N. Dennehy Ruth Thumbtzen and energy to our annual development and outreach efforts. This Stephen J. Dennis William J. Trezvant Committee has been steadily forging strong partner relationships Louis DiPalma The Honorable Netti C. Vogel with law firms and attorneys throughout our state. Stetson Eddy The Honorable Arthur N. Votolato, Jr.

Malcolm Farmer, III Harris K. Weiner Thank you to all of you who found a way to help us help our Noel Field, Jr. Warren & Marie Weinstein neighbors this past year. Without your contributions, more than Michael J. Gadoury The Honorable Joseph R. Weisberger Joan Gelch Janice M. Weisfeld 20,000 people would not have had our critically needed advice, counsel and representation. Murray Gereboff Cynthia Wilson-Frias

Susan Gershkoff Lise J. Gescheidt Corporations, Trusts, Foundations, Law Sincerely, Firms and Other Organizations Eleanor Giannini

John Grasso AAA Southern New England Patrick A. Guida Robert M. Barge, Esq. Robert Oster, Esq. Allied Court Reporters, Inc. Joseph M. Hall Executive Director Chairman of the Board Audette, Bazar, Corderio & Grasso, Inc. Andrew Horwitz & Alexandra Callam Bankers Life & Casualty Company Lise M. Iwon Catuogno Court Reporting Paul Jabour Chaika & Chaika Law Offices 1/2” FROM Paul T. Jones MES- DARE Stephen B. Lang Duffy & Sweeney, Ltd. SAGE Sandra A. Lanni The Economic Progress Institute Christopher M. Lefebvre FROM Jewish Family Service, Inc. Lauren Lessuck THE EX- Jessup & Conroy Pasco Loffredo Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum ECUTIV Denise Lombardo-Meyers * Maggiacomo Agency Kenneth MacIver E DI- McIntyre Tate LLP Stephen P. Maguire Partridge Snow & Hahn, LLP RECTO Winfield Major The Providence Center Robert B. Mann Rhode Island Bar Association

When you invest in Rhode Island Legal Services, you invest in our statewide community—one client at a time. RILS’ legal work impacted 20,396 residents last year. WHAT LEGAL AID MEANS TO OUR CLIENTS And our successes happen only thanks to you! With your generous support, we provide legal aid to thousands of people in crisis across the entire state of Rhode Island. 2011 DONOR LISTING (continued)

RILS ADVOCATE < $ 999 Protection from abuse and domestic violence A four year old no longer has to hide in the closet as her father beats her mother and older sister. Individuals Corporations, Trusts, Foundations, Law Firms and Other Organizations Berndt W. Anderson Rhode Island Avoiding homelessness Anonymous Cameron & Mittleman LLP A disabled, mentally ill tenant, mistakenly believing that opposing John P. Barylick Friends of Gordon D. Fox counsel is her own attorney, signs papers agreeing to vacate her Peter J. Cerilli Green & Greenberg subsidized housing - yet has no other place to go. The Honorable Edward C. Clifton & Audrey Clifton Kiernan, Plunkett & Redihan Gerard P. Cobleigh * Rhode Island Lawyer's Weekly Joseph M. Codega * Safe housing Roney & Labinger LLP William J. Conley * A grandmother does not have to spend another cold winter alone Thurgood Marshall Law Society Judith Crowell surrounded by moldy walls and inadequate heat.

Betsy DeLeiris Michael A. DiLauro “My attorney Health care Michele Di Traglia A homeless elderly gentleman is able to access healthcare. Paul Ferns gave me a lot of The Honorable Robert G. Flanders respect. Benefits Ronald and Arlene Gagnon A disabled and temporarily out-of-work father is able to collect 3 Michael * & Ellen Goldenberg Thank you for months of wages unlawfully withheld by his previous employer. Gail Higgins Fogarty

Kevin Kernan your service. Education Peter Lacouture God bless you.” Nicholas Trott Long A disabled teenager, long denied special education programs, is Client, 10/11 Richard V. Longo finally able to graduate from high school and faces a promising Michael D. Lynch future.

Thomas Lyons Anthony F. & Janet H. Muri “Thank you Family reunification Thomas B. Orr for caring about Two hard working immigrant parents are reunited with their twin Barbara Perrino toddlers after allegations of neglect are all proven unfounded. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Pitts, Jr. people.” Paul D. Ragosta Client, 4/11 assistance Stephen M. Rappoport A victim of identity theft has her erroneously levied IRS penalty of Robert V. Rossi $30,000 erased. Robert M. Sabel ** & Lynn Mallonee John and Pat Tarantino Jennifer M. Theroux In 2011, we helped 20,396 low-income Rhode Cynthia J. Warren, CEJ Islanders with their very basic life needs—food, Stephen B. & Judy B. Wood justice dignity self-reliance justice dignity self-reliance shelter and safety/protection from abuse. Myrth York

OUR HISTORY If you find it in your heart to

Now in our 43rd year, Rhode Island Legal Services is a non- care for someone else, you profit law firm that provides legal aid services and will have succeeded. outreach to all corners of Rhode Island. We have become an integral part of the fiber of our state’s legal system. The Maya Angelou quality of our legal work has been recognized by clients and state and community leaders. e

Our ongoing collaborations with the Rhode Island Bar 2011 DONOR LISTING Association, Rhode Island Housing, Roger Williams University Reflects gifts received during calendar year 2011. * indicates Member of the Board of Directors School of Law, the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic ** indicates current staff Violence and the Judiciary has allowed us to expand our CEJ indicates Committee for Equal Justice Member services to reach clients who might otherwise go without representation. Leadership gifts from alumni,

Currently, a staff of 21 attorneys (plus 3 Pro Bono attorneys), corporations, foundations and 6 paralegals and 2 support staff, provide expertise in areas friends are most vital to the more than 200,000 low-income and elderly significant in helping us to persons eligible for our services. continue our work, and we are honored to recognize this important community of Though our attorneys focus on a variety of legal problems, they will often work together to serve the needs of the whole generous donors. client. RILS SENIOR PARTNER < $10,000 Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.

RILS PARTNER < $4,999 Janet M. Robert (RILS Alumni)

Corporations, Trusts, Foundations and Other Organizations Adelson Memorial Fund Brown Rudnick LLP

RILS ASSOCIATE < $2,499 Individuals OUR FUTURE Laurie and Ruud Bosman Susan Leach DeBlasio CEJ Rhode Island may be a small state, yet economic challenges – Herbert Malin especially during this prolonged economic crisis – are great. R. Kelly Sheridan CEJ Harry J. Weiss

We see many new clients who have been forced into unusual Corporations, Trusts, Foundations, Law Firms circumstances due to unexpected economic pressures such and Other Organizations as the loss of a job or the death of a family wage earner, state Boyajian, Harrington & Richardson Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP cuts in benefits, foreclosures or excessive property tax levies. Hanson Curran, LLP Roger Williams University School of Law No matter the situation, people come to us in crisis. Winograd, Shine, Land & Finkle, P.C.

And we will be here to help. 2011-2012 OUR MISSION Committee for Equal Justice We provide high quality legal assistance and representation to Chairperson low-income individuals and eligible client groups for the purpose Susan Leach DeBlasio, Esq. Adler Pollock & Sheehan, P.C. of improving their economic condition and overall wellbeing

Committee by protecting and enforcing legal rights, stabilizing the family unit

David N. Bazar, Esq. and communities where clients live, promoting self– reliance, Audette, Bazar, Cordeiro & Grasso, Inc.

Paul S. Cantor, Esq. ending domestic violence, preventing homelessness, The Law Office of Paul S. Cantor

Gerard M. DeCelles, Esq. affording dignity to all people, and reaching out to groups Rhode Island Legal Services, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Patrick A. Guida, Esq. with added burdens on their ability to access the civil justice system. Duffy & Sweeney, Ltd.

Richard J. Land, Esq. Winograd Shine Land & Finkle, P.C.

Stephen J. MacGillivray, Esq. Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP

Robert Oster, Esq. Rhode Island Legal Services, Chairman of the Board of Trustees

R. Kelly Sheridan, Esq. Roberts, Carroll, Feldstein & Peirce, Inc.

Michael A. St. Pierre, Esq. Revens Revens & St. Pierre

Cynthia J. Warren, Esq. Cameron & Mittleman LLP OUR FUNDING

Joseph D. Whelan, Esq. 2011 Major Sources of Income Whelan and Siket, LLP

Legal Services Corporation $1,228,770 and

Robert M. Barge, Esq. Executive Director, Rhode Island Legal Services Rhode Island Judiciary $761,922

Rhode Island Filing Fees $380,645 The Committee for Equal Justice is a volunteer group of attorneys - representing major law firms as well as private practice - U.S. Department of Justice $268,488 working together with the objective of increasing the support and participation of Rhode Island legal professionals in providing access Interest on Lawyer’s Trust Accounts $224,976 to free legal assistance in civil matters for the needy of the state. Other $911,206 Rhode Island Legal Services BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2011 HIGHLIGHTS

Robert Oster, Esq., Chairperson We closed 8,040 cases last year. Gerard M. DeCelles, Esq., Vice Chairperson

We use our limited resources efficiently in ways Denise Lombardo Myers, Esq., Treasurer that reach the most vulnerable of Rhode Islanders. Our clients are diverse: Michael Fontaine, Esq., Secretary 11% are over the age of 60 71% are female Chester Bliss 22% are Latino Gerard P. Cobleigh, Esq. 11% are African/African American 1% are Native Americans Joseph M. Codega, Esq. 56% are Caucasian William J. Conley, Esq. When family and households are considered, 20,396 Rhode Islanders Deborah DeBare were directly impacted by our legal aid. 8,924 of those we helped were children. Cladibel Fernandez Paul Gott While the majority of cases (72%) were resolved with legal advice and counsel, RILS attorneys made 10,524 court appearances/hearings and 30,569 telephone Michael Goldenberg, Esq. calls on behalf of clients last year. Maria J. Goncalves, Esq. RILS reaches out, on a statewide basis, via its Low Income Taxpayer Clinics, Deborah Gremour Community Lawyering Initiative, and Elder Law Workshops. In addition, all other substantive work groups including: Domestic Violence; Foreclosure; Merilyn Kennedy Education, Housing: and public benefits engage in outreach activities. Many programs are also conducted in Spanish. Stephen M. Miller, Esq. Thomas L. Mirza, Esq. RILS CASE LOAD 2011 Alexander Parmenidez

Virginia Plourde “We’re Theresa Price Louis M. Pulner, Esq. proud of William P. Rampone, Esq. what we do The Honorable Walter R. Stone The Honorable Sarah Taft-Carter

and the

difference that we.” RILS Attorneysmake

justice dignity self-reliance 2011 STAFF In 2011, RILS work groups

Robert M. Barge, Esq., Executive Director Included:

Janet Gilligan, Esq., Deputy Director Consumer Law Group Robert M. Sabel, Esq., Director of Litigation Elizabeth Segovis, Esq., Director of Training Education Law Group Denise Aiken, Esq., Staff Attorney Environmental Justice Project Cynthia Alderete, Paralegal Rebecca Angelone, Esq., Managing Attorney Family Preservation Project Steven Bagian, Esq., Staff Attorney Gretchen Bath, Esq., Supervising Attorney Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-housing Project Wendy Brown, Paralegal Heather Burbach, Esq., Volunteer Attorney Housing Law Center & Eviction Defense Clinic Anna Mae Burton, Receptionist Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Nicola Carrara, Executive Assistant/Office Manager Robert Clark, Esq., Staff Attorney Private Attorney Group (Pro Bono) Joemily Collazo, Paralegal Dawn Cook, Esq., Managing Attorney Public Benefits Group Jack Cotter, Esq., Staff Attorney Responsible Parent Project (RPP) Judith Covington, Paralegal Mary Curtin, Paralegal Family Law Project/Safe Family Project Barbara Czarnecki, Paralegal Liane M. Czirjak, Director of Development Senior Legal Assistance Diana deGroof, Esq., Staff Attorney Worker’s Rights Group Daniel Pratt DiCecco, Volunteer Attorney Tiffinay Emery, Esq., Managing Attorney and the Volunteer Lawyer Program April Fiordelisi, Esq., Volunteer Attorney (a RILS sub-grant to the Rhode Island Bar Association) Steven Fischbach, Esq., Community Lawyer Susan Geary, Paralegal

Donna Gelineau, Officer Persons Juan Glomba, Paralegal Outcomes directly Jennifer Griffith, Esq., Staff Attorney affected Leslie Kolb, Paralegal

Veronika Kot, Esq., Staff Attorney Delayed eviction giving time to find alternate housing 1138 Juan Lopez, Paralegal, Outreach Specialist Bridgette Louro, Esq., Staff Attorney Prevented homelessness/prevented eviction from housing 898 Beatriz Restrepo, Paralegal Obtained protection from domestic violence 862 Chantal Wentworth Mullen, Esq. Volunteer Attorney

Frances K. R. Munro, Esq., Managing Attorney Reduced debt/stopped debt collection agency 22 Charles Noice, Paralegal Shanna Pitts, Esq., Staff Attorney Obtained or maintained custody of children 359 Linda Perrotta, Paralegal, Newport Reunited family members after state separation 381 Joseph Proietta, Esq., Staff Attorney

Cheryl Randall, File Clerk Parents and students helped with educational issues 88 Amy Retsinas-Romero, Esq. Skadden Fellow Owen Rice, Esq., Staff Attorney, Newport Obtained/preserved Medicaid benefits 165 Ariana Rodgers, Esq., Staff Attorney, Newport Obtained/preserved welfare benefit 106 Nora Salomon, Esq., Staff Attorney

Siobhan Stephens-Catala, Esq., Staff Attorney Obtained/preserved unemployment benefit 34 Lia Stuhlsatz, Esq., Staff Attorney Michael Zabelin, Esq., Skadden Fellow Resolved IRS disputes and liens 163 Cecily Ziegler, Esq., Volunteer Attorney Obtained counsel and advice on legal issue 5753 CONSUMER LAW SAVE THE DREAM A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP IS CONSUMER LAW Walter was a single and self- PRICELESS GROUP GROUP sufficient 50 year old construction worker who had been steadily em- • Foreclosure prevention. A disabled client called to in- ployed since he was 18; but was • Defense against predatory • Defense against predatory quire about an agreement she had now in danger of losing everything. lenders and creditors. lenders and creditors. made with a debt consolidation A work related injury had left company in which she had agreed • Foreclosure prevention. both thumbs severely swollen and to make monthly payments of about painful. Unable to work and waiting $300 to pay off her debts (this in- for resolution of his workers’ com- cludes a $40 fee to the company for pensation case, he had used up his the monthly service). Her only in- savings. He also had thousands of come was from Social Security dollars in debt (mostly medical). (SSI) and this debt agreement While a debt Temporary payments were not amounted to almost 1/2 of her in- consolidation enough for his mortgage, utilities come, leaving not enough for basic and food, and he had been repaying necessities such as rent, utilities firm may agree to his medical bills at the expense of and food. the mortgage. Unfortunately, fore- Distraught and fearful, she help a client, the closure was imminent. knew she could no longer afford to deals they make Two weeks before foreclosure continue making this huge monthly and frightened that he would be payment without risking her rental may not always be Walter was homeless, Walter came in to RILS. lease and her health. She wanted to Attorney Steve Bagian’s immediate know if she had any other options. in the clients’ best afraid of being goal was to delay adverse actions RILS advised her to call her until Walter could receive his work- bank, cancel automatic payment, interest. homeless. ers’ compensation settlement, esti- make no further payments and not mated at $33,000. Attorney Bagian to worry because her SSI benefits “Two more determined that the best way to were not touchable by a creditor— save Walter’s home was to restruc- these benefits were meant to cover ture his debts and file a chapter 13 her daily survival needs. She could weeks and his bankruptcy. advise the debt consolidation com- The bankruptcy filing stopped pany when they called that she was life would have the foreclosure. A chapter 13 plan canceling the agreement on advice was submitted to repay other debts. from RILS. changed Attorney Bagian was successful She called back to say she had in getting a modification of Walter’s had her first good night’s sleep in dramatically. mortgage whereby all arrearages five years. were added to the end of the loan. Though proud, And while Walter’s mortgage payment did increase by $20 per he was also month, more importantly, RILS was able to change the adjustable rate petrified—he to fixed. Some of Walter’s workers’ came to usSteve just Bagian comp settlement paid off most of his RILS Attorney other debts, and he received a in time.” check for the remaining $16,000. “My experience STANDING PROUD EDUCATION LAW Tom is a married, 25 year old father GROUP of three who had worked at his job with [RILS attor‐ for over three years. After a one- • Ensuring that all students month medical leave, his employer have access to education. ney] Amy was informed Tom that they would not • Advocating for students’ allow him to return until his doctor access to needed services above and completed an invasive medical and tutoring. questionnaire delving into his men- beyond what I tal health. His doctor authorized his • Protecting the education rights of homeless families Tom return to work without restrictions, had expected.” but refused to complete the ques- and their children. RILS client tionnaire. MUSIC TO HIS EARS Tom panicked. He did not want state aid. He wanted only to return Joe, a high school teenager to work, pay his bills, and support with a documented disability, was th his family. repeating the 10 grade for the third On the advice of a friend (a for- time. He experienced frequent panic mer RILS client), Tom called RILS. attacks while in school and even Attorney Amy Retsinas Romero, had difficulty leaving his home. Skadden Fellow at RILS, immedi- The school district had failed to ately informed the employer that provide legally mandated supports refusing to allow Tom to return to despite their knowledge of his dis- work violated the Family Medical ability and special needs. Leave Act as well as the Americans Once RILS intervened and ad- with Disabilities Act. vocated for Joe, he was provided Upon threat of legal action, the home instruction and tutoring to employer quickly capitulated and make up for lost time. allowed Tom to return to work the Unfortunately, the school again following day; however, as soon as interrupted home instruction, in vio- he returned, the employer informed lation of Joe’s Individualized Edu- Tom that they had given away his cation Program (IEP). WORKER’S RIGHTS position and demoted him to a lower Veronika Kot, RILS’ education -paying position. Again, RILS re- attorney, filed a complaint with the • Advocating for clients sponded quickly by informing the RI Department of Education - and where employers deny employer of the legal consequences prevailed. Home instruction was wages or benefits. of their retaliatory actions. reinstated. • Advocating for clients In less than a week, Attorney After three years of ongoing wrongfully denied a wage Romero was able to get Tom rein- legal support and case monitoring, opportunity. stated in his job at the same pay he Joe was finally able to graduate had before medical leave. This suc- from high school and is now in the cessful reinstatement was accom- process of applying to college. plished without having to go to Joe’s dream is to complete his court, preventing litigation costs on college degree and to eventually each side, and more importantly, work in the music industry. allowing Tom to provide for himself and his family.

“I don’t believe FORECLOSURES AFFECT NOT SENIOR LEGAL JUST HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE I have ever felt Sandy, a 65 year old woman, had been living in and paying rent • Legal assistance to seniors. so strongly on time in the same apartment for • In partnership with Rhode the past thirty years. Her building, a Island’s Aging and four family house, had two other Disability Resource Center. about a case. units also occupied by seniors. Sandy and the other tenants This was not had been paying rent to the landlord through September when they read Mary’s fault ‐ it a newspaper notice advertising that HOME SWEET HOME the property was in foreclosure. In was so blatantly October, they learned that the build- Nora Salomon Mary naively believed that op- ing was sold but were not advised unjust.” RILS Attorney posing counsel was working on her the name of the new owner. behalf. And she did not bring an Shortly thereafter, an agent of attorney to court. Of course, these this new owner knocked and de- were terrible mistakes, but Mary manded rent, requesting that all was disabled and mentally ill. tenants sign “month-to-month Unfortunately, Mary agreed to leases.” That is when Sandy con- vacate her federally subsidized tacted RILS. project based housing and to pay RILS’ Elder Law attorney ad- $1,200 in future rent and court fees. vised Sandy neither to sign nor to And this eviction was based on only pay any money until he found out a small debt of $114. Bottom line: the identity of the new owner. He Mary was evicted. contacted the law firm that handled Where could she go? Market the foreclosure and learned that the rents were unaffordable with her winning bidder had assigned her fixed income and disability. Mary purchase to a third party investor, HOUSING LAW was most likely—and imminently— ABC Inc., but that the sale was not CENTER & going to be homeless. yet final. EVICTION DEFENSE RILS appealed. Sadly, Mary Meanwhile, Sandy found a no- had also unknowingly waived her CLINIC tice tacked to her door saying that Seniors are often appeal rights. the water would be shut off within

Nora Salomon, RILS housing the week. RILS’ Elder Law attorney the targets of scams • Enforcing minimum housing attorney, was able to convince the contacted ABC Inc. who agreed to codes to maintain safe and and rip‐offs in the District Court to vacate the agree- pay the water arrearage to avoid habitable shelter. ment that Mary had entered into, shut-off even though they were not rental market. • Avoiding homelessness by based on both her emotional state yet officially the owner. arranging for needed time and her documented inability to un- In December, ABC Inc. became to secure alternate housing. derstand the court process. the official building owner. • Protecting tenants’ rights. With RILS help, Mary then But who was the original person • Intervening to prevent un- fought her landlord who tried to bar who had demanded rent and signed warranted evictions and her from applying for recertification contracts back in October? They sudden eviction from land- for her subsidized home. Justice were never seen again. ultimately prevailed: Mary was able to stay home: Home sweet home.

FAMILY LAW MOM PREVAILS & IRS AUDIT LOW INCOME TAX PROJECT WINS HER BABY BACK PAYER CLINIC Eva was a young Hispanic June, a young refugee with an woman supporting herself and her • Representing victims of • Serving low income tax infant child, suddenly lost custody of two children by babysitting and domestic violence in payers in disputes with the her baby daughter after a surprise cleaning houses. For two years in a divorce, custody and IRS regarding issues such legal move by an abusive father. row, she went to a local tax preparer. domestic abuse restraining as: Earned Income Tax The father had filed an ex parte He spoke Spanish and was in the order cases to help the Credit, innocent spouse motion gaining sole custody of her neighborhood, so Eva trusted him. victims escape from their relief, identity theft and debt baby and granting June only super- He was later indicted for tax fraud. abuser. cancellation. vised visits, but at his sole discre- The tax preparer had filed Eva’s • On-going efforts ensuring • Negotiating regarding IRS tion. returns for her claiming exactly the safety for all victims’ family liens and/or levies for low June hired an attorney, but he same amount of income for both members (both adults and income clients. was unable to get any changes. Not years. children) especially in cases willing to give up, June had her at- Eva does not speak English well where the abuser seeks torney file a trial request. and did not realize what the tax custody. Prior to the trial, the attorney preparer had done. She had signed asked June for more money. Since the returns trusting in his expertise. she was without additional re- The IRS selected Eva’s returns sources, the attorney withdrew. for an office audit and she was With only two days before the charged with owing an additional trial and desperate for help, RILS $3,000 in . accepted June’s case. Eva came to the Low Income Quickly, Attorney Bridgette Taxpayer Clinic at RILS for help. Louro obtained fair treatment for Luckily, she was able to locate Children are June: in just one meeting, the trial most of her cleaning records and date was continued and she was obtained sworn statements from all often unfairly immediately allowed unsupervised the people whose children she had visits. Attorney Louro then prepared cared for during those two years. used as pawns for a long trial. Elizabeth Segovis, RILS attorney After six days of testimony and and Director of the Taxpayer Clinic, in domestic 15 witnesses, the judge awarded along with RILS’ bilingual outreach sole custody to June. This judge paralegal, Juan Lopez, attended the violence routinely orders joint custody but; in IRS audit with Eva. “It was handled this case, granted sole custody For one audit year, RILS was custody cases. once evidence showed that June able to satisfy the examiner that with the had been abused by the baby’s Eva’s IRS return was accurate and father. that she owed nothing more. utmost respect, This fierce custody battle took a For the second audit year, Eva full year, but with RILS’ guidance obtained an additional refund of and help, June ultimately prevailed. $1,500. courtesy and A welcome turn around by RILS for a hard working, young mother: professionalism. frightening debt to happy IRS re- fund. It was a RILS Client great result.”

PUBLIC BENEFITS MARTINEZ v. ASTRUE A DIFFERENT SERIES OF GROUP Everyone is entitled to justice. And UNFORTUNATE EVENTS RILS is often able to right a bureau- • Assistance with preserving cratic wrong. Mr. B, a 38 year old low wage income and state benefits ‘Mark’ was a disabled, mentally earner with diabetes, was behind in such as Social Security, ill, low income worker in his 50’s. He his child support yet trying to make General Public Assistance, first came to RILS seeking advice payments whenever possible. He SSI and unemployment regarding SSI income, but RILS’ had been a long term client of RILS, compensation, etc. Public Benefits attorney, Gretchen with RILS helping him focus on Bath, realized that he was probably making payments for his support • Obtaining and preserving eligible for additional relief based on arrearages. Medical Assistance (MA) Martinez v. Astrue, a recent class Then, Mr. B experienced a and Medicaid benefits for action settlement. Mark was not series of unfortunate events. He eligible clients. aware of that case. Federal law worked as a delivery man (using his provided that anyone fleeing to own car) so fell farther behind when avoid arrest/prosecution was ineligi- he had car trouble. Then he lost his ble for Social Security income. As a job due to multiple hospitalizations result, thousands (who may or may related to his diabetes. Because he not have even realized a warrant was behind in child support, he lost RESPONSIBLE had been issued) lost SSI benefits. his driver’s license. And because he PARENT PROJECT They were also required to repay was behind in his child support and benefits paid during a warrant’s needed some way to catch up, he • Assisting parents to existence. agreed to deliver pizza— but was assume their court SSA’s interpretation of the law caught in the summer and arrested ordered child support was challenged in a national class for driving without a license. responsibilities in a action, Martinez v. Astrue; the case Due to his medical condition, manner fair and settled in 2009. SSA was required Mr. B was jailed in the ACI hospital - equitable to all parties. to identify people wrongfully denied without access to insulin - for 4 payments and to notify them about days. (Rules prohibit dispensing of potential relief. insulin without the ACI physician’s Mark had been charged with a approval; given all of Mr. B’s court $12,500 SSI overpayment. By the dates, the ACI hospital could not time Attorney Bath met Mark, he arrange a doctor’s visit). As Mr. B had already been slowly paying this was brought back to Court for his down, but it was an overwhelming hearing, RILS Attorney Denise debt for a low income wage earner. Aiken secured his immediate re- SSA at first denied Mark’s eligi- lease by the Magistrate so that he bility as a Martinez class member. could be taken to the hospital and After many emails, phone calls stabilized. A formal complaint was and attorney trips to the Court made to the ACI. House, SSA agreed to send the Back on his feet in the fall, Mr. case to their Regional Office. In the B started his own small business end, SSA finally agreed and erased detailing cars. He has been able to the remainder of his debt (over start making payments on a regular, $9,000). weekly basis and is feeling more in control of his life.