Volunteer Lawyers Project

ABOUT VLP

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VLP 2009 PRO BONO AWARDS AND RECIPIENTS

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CONTACT

237 Main Street

Buffalo, NY 14203

Representation of Non Profit Groups

The Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. (VLP) is now providing free legal representation to community organizations who cannot otherwise afford legal services. Western New York is served by approximately one thousand not-for-profit organizations that provide an array of services to a broad cross section of our citizenry. Many of these organizations are small, neighborhood based groups with meager budgets and limited professional staffs serving poor clientele with a wide range of problems. Often, laudable but poor organizations are unable to afford the essential legal services they need to sustain themselves, operate effectively and grow. The Volunteer Lawyers Project has established a program to meet this need.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for free legal services, an organization will have to meet two criteria. The first is a goals test and requires that an organization must have as one of its primary purposes assisting the poor, elderly, or the handicapped or disabled. The second criteria is financial and requires that an organization’s annual budget not exceed $100,000. Organizations may apply for a special finding of eligibility if they have other charitable or civic purposes or if their budgets exceed $100,000.

Types of Assistance Available

The following are illustrative of the types of services VLP will provide to community organizations:

1.) Incorporating;

2.) Obtaining tax exempt status and other tax advantages;

3.) Handling zoning problems;

4.) Handling insurance questions;

5.) Dealing with building code requirements;

6.) Reviewing and drafting leases;

7.) Handling issues affecting a large percentage of the organization’s members;

8.) Handling personal matters;

9.) Providing general business and corporate advice;

10.) Drafting organizational constitutions and by-laws;

11.) Dealing with federal, state and local governments.

How to Obtain Assistance

Groups seeking legal assistance must complete an Application/Financial Affidavit Form and attach to that a list of their board of directors and a copy of their annual budget or, in the case of a newly formed organization, a prospective budget. The application is then reviewed by VLP. If a group is determined to be eligible, VLP recruits an attorney to handle the case on volunteer basis. There is no charge to the group for VLP’s services or those of the volunteer attorney. However, there may be some filing fees required by local, state or federal agencies that VLP must obtain from the group before their case can be referred to a volunteer attorney.

For an application or additional information, please contact Christine C. Biggie, Coordinator of Group Representation at (716) 847-0662 ext. 317 or email cbiggie@wnylc.com.