PRO BONO ADVISORY BOARD
The Complex Relationship between
Lawyers and Their Clients…
In many cases, attorneys and their pro bono clients come from
different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Due to these differences,
communication mishaps can arise. The keys to a successful attorney-client pro
bono relationship are respect and proactively addressing differences that may
not be readily apparent.
In any attorney-client relationship, respect is very important.
Unfortunately, many people do not realize that they have biases towards
others who come from different backgrounds. While working with a client
who comes from a different background, a successful pro bono attorney must
recognize any unconscious bias they may have, and make sure that these
biases do not affect the quality of legal work that is provided. For example,
people from urban centers may come across as more aggressive than those
from rural areas. It is important for attorneys to realize that these differences
may exist and not let them alter their interactions with their clients. In this
way, pro bono clients will be more apt to trust their attorney and receive
quality legal services.
Other issues can arise when representing a pro bono client. First, there
may be an education or language gap between the attorney and client. To
compensate for this, it is best for the attorney to avoid unnecessarily complex
legal jargon. For example, instead of telling the client “the judge will render a
decision on the motion,” a better choice of words may be, “the judge will
make a decision about our request.” Also, when working with someone who is
living in poverty, it is important to not make assumptions about their life
because it may result in their embarrassment or shame. For example, instead
of asking a client for their phone number, a pro bono attorney should ask the
client for the best way to contact them. So, if the client does not have a phone,
they are saved the embarrassment of admitting that fact. By keeping these
potential differences in mind, a pro bono attorney can represent their client
appropriately. – Adam Koulish
NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE…
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ON
JUSTIN KOIFMAN
MEET THE NEW PRO BONO
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
PRACTITIONER SPOTLIGHT ON PROFESSOR JASON
HOGE
UPCOMING PRO BONO
OPPORTUNITIES
W APRIL 2015
Curious about the 50-hour pro bono requirement for NY bar admission?
Learn more at:
http://www.nycourts.gov/attorneys/probono/baradmissionreqs.shtml
PRO BONO ADVISORY BOARD
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
HISCOCK LEGAL AID HELD THEIR “JUMPING FOR JUSTICE” EVENT ON MARCH 30, 2015 AT SKY ZONE!
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ON… JUSTIN KOIFMAN
Justin Koifman is a 3L from Toronto at Syracuse
University College of Law. Before attending SUCOL, he
studied at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. As an
undergrad, Justin enjoyed playing hockey and he always
had an interest in community service.
When he came to SU to study law, Justin thought
that he would have to wait until he graduated to begin
volunteering and beginning his community service.
However, beginning in his 2L year, Justin began
volunteering at the Family Law and Eviction Defense
Clinics operated by the Volunteer Lawyers Project. Justin
says that because of the local economic climate, there is a
particular need to help tenants avoid being evicted-
sometimes over fifty cases per day.
After graduation, Justin plans to take the New York
and Ontario Bar Exams and to continue his volunteer
activities. “Without a doubt, I will continue to hone my
skills and help people without the strings of payment” says
Justin. He believes that volunteering is beneficial for
aspiring attorneys. He has been able to network with other
attorneys and build relationships with them and with his
clients.
Justin has some advice for 1Ls that may be thinking
about volunteering. “Get in there, start doing it, and don’t
say ‘I’ll do it next year’. You will not regret it. Don’t wait
too long. There is less pressure than in the clinics, and
future employers love it.” –Ben Cranston
3L Justin Koifman
Need to Submit Pro Bono Hours?
For the College of Law Recognition Program, log onto Mylaw (Spring 2015 hours only).
For the NY Bar Admission Requirement, complete the affidavit available here:
http://www.nycourts.gov/attorneys/probono/AppForAdmission_Pro-BonoReq_Fillable.pdf.
“The best way to find yourself
is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mohandas Gandhi
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Ben Cranston, 1L Co-Chair
During his time as an undergraduate at
Johns Hopkins University, Ben was the
starting center of the football team, a
member of the Adelphic Literary
Society, and the president of the
English Department Student Club.
During the summer, he interned as a
lobbying assistant in the Law Office of
Attorney Frank Boston and
volunteered as a mental health intern at
Sheppard Pratt Health System. Coming
from a Jesuit high school that
emphasized service to others, Ben took
advantage of volunteer opportunities in
the local community, tutoring
elementary school children from one of
the poorest areas of Baltimore City.
NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015
PRO BONO ADVISORY BOARD
PRACTITIONER SPOTLIGHT ON…
PROFESSOR JASON HOGE
Next time you are on the second floor, make sure you stop
by the Criminal Defense Clinic to talk to Professor Jason
Hoge. Professor Hoge practices what he preaches, that law
is the service of people. After graduating from college, he
moved to a town called Mae Sot on Burma/Thailand border
where practiced with an indigenous law firm. In this
position, Professor Hoge mainly focused on labor rights for
Burmese factory workers in Thailand. He empowered them
by training them on their rights as laborers. While in this
position, Professor Hoge also set up a local law school to
help the Burmese advocate for themselves. Upon returning
back to the states, Professor Hoge served as a public
defender and directed a re-entry clinic. Now, at Syracuse,
he works in the Criminal Defense Clinic. He loves working
with students and seeing students go into public interest
law. He highly recommends the Criminal Defense Clinic if
you think you want to work in criminal law because you
will get a lot of hands on experience. Professor Hoge is an
excellent resource for students because he has an inspiring
background and lots of advice to give. –Megan Thomas
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST AND/OR CALL-OUTS
Adam Koulish, 1L Co-Chair
Adam Koulish is from Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. Prior to law
school, he attended Rollins College
and majored in environmental
studies. He has taken part in many
poverty-related community service
activities through organizations such
as Art Studio Inc. and Feeding South
Florida. Observing the striking
disparity of wealth in South Florida
motivated Adam to become interested
in pro bono work. Often, low-income
individuals must cope with various
negative environmental externalities
and substandard housing.
Additionally, they have limited
access to legal resources to remedy
such problems due to their economic
situation. Adam hopes to use his law
degree and environmental
background to help people with
limited means get legal recourse. In
his spare time, Adam enjoys golfing,
biking, and binge watching Netflix.
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Have an idea for a new pro bono project?
Let us know!
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES,
REACH OUT TO ANY PBAB MEMBER FOR MORE INFORMATION!
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NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015
PRO BONO ADVISORY BOARD
PBAB NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015
PRO BONO ADVISORY BOARD
Pro Bono Advisory Board Members:
Pro Bono Fellow- Tyler Hite
2L Co-Chairs — Matt Crouch, Lucia Urizar, and Kristin Warner
1L Co-Chairs — Megan Thomas, Ben Cranston, and Adam Koulish
Associate Director for Student Life (Pro Bono, Diversity, and Wellness) — Melanie Cuevas Rodriguez, Esq.
Megan Thomas, 1L Co-Chair Have a question or comment about Pro Bono opportunities? Send us an email or stop us in the hall!
MEET THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE PBAB CONTINUED…
Megan Thomas, 1L Co-Chair Megan spent the last 6 years teaching in low-income, urban schools. She completed Teach for America in Las Vegas, where she worked with many immigrant children. She encountered many families whose lack of knowledge about the law and accessibility to counsel led to significant hardships in their lives. While in Las Vegas, Megan volunteered as the Co-Director of Not for Sale, an anti-human trafficking organization. In this position, she helped to raise awareness about the extent of the problem of human trafficking in Las Vegas. She organized anti-human trafficking events, including a rally on the Las Vegas strip. Megan spent the last 2 years working with students with special needs at a charter school in Brooklyn, NY. She worked to create both a loving and structured environment for her students. Her students made substantial academic, social, and emotional growth. Megan is also an MPA student at
the Maxwell School. Based on her experiences, Megan hopes to use law as a tool to contribute to greater educational equality.
Upcoming Pro Bono Opportunities:
Family Court Clinic: Wednesdays and Fridays- Contact Kristin Warner for details and scheduling
Immigration Clinic: Saturday April 11, 2015- Spanish speakers needed! Contact Matt Crouch for details
If you are looking for volunteer opportunities for this summer in the Syracuse are please reach out to a Pro
Bono Board member for more information!
And finally… The Pro Bono Advisory Board would like to thank our Pro Bono Fellow, Tyler Hite, for his
help and guidance throughout this year! Congratulations on your graduation and good luck in the future! SHIPPING ADDRESS
Attn: Addressee
555 Street Address, Suite 555
City, STATE 55555
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