SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW PRO BONO ADVISORY...

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


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


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!

[email protected]

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES,

REACH OUT TO ANY PBAB MEMBER FOR MORE INFORMATION!

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PBAB NEWSLETTER



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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