February The power of a brother s love. Mark Your Calendars Now!

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1 February 2013 Mark Your Calendars Now! 2/18 CVLS Closed President s Day 2/19 Seminar: Preparing your 2012 Income Taxes by Larry Krupp CVLS Office 12:15 PM 3/7 New Volunteer Orientation CVLS Office Noon 3/12 GAL for Minors Training CVLS Office Noon 4/18 Law and Disorder Jenner & Block 353 N. Clark St. 6:00 PM Upcoming Events - Upcoming Events - Upcoming Events - Upcoming Events - Upcoming Events - Upcoming Events The power of a brother s love. Last year, when Lindsey was only 9 years old, her mother passed away. Although he was just 21 years old, Lindsey s older brother Jimmy moved back into the family home and started taking care of his little sister. He took the night shift at work so that he could be home during the day for her. When the school contacted him to let him know Lindsey wasn t completing her homework, Jimmy began checking her homework every night and moved her bedtime back to ensure that she was well-rested for school. Jimmy also enrolled Lindsey in cheerleading and attended her parentteacher conferences. Despite his efforts to care for his sister and maintain her community and support system, Lindsey s maternal grandparents petitioned to be appointed her guardian, Jimmy filed a cross-petition and CVLS was appointed guardian ad litem. Although the grandparents seemed to love Lindsey, they only saw her a few times each year and planned to move her out of state. Michelle Bogosh, a dedicated CVLS volunteer, worked on Lindsey s case. She visited her client s home to check out Jimmy s efforts herself. She verified that, despite Jimmy s youth, he was doing an excellent job of caring for his sister and should in fact be appointed as her guardian. After Michelle filed her report and recommendation, the grandparents decided to drop their petition for guardianship and Jimmy was appointed as Lindsey s guardian. Thanks to Michelle, Lindsey can stay in familiar surroundings and her close-knit family with Jimmy will remain intact.

2 CVLS Honor Roll Alan Satyr, JUF Community Legal Services During these difficult economic times, many of our clients need help with employment issues. CVLS volunteer Alan Satyr has willingly helped whenever he has been called upon. We value his wealth of knowledge and his dependability and sensitivity to our clients. Alan has volunteered for the JUF Community Legal Services for a mere 2 years, but his contribution to our program has been immeasurable. Genevieve Hughes, Jane Addams Legal Clinic Although she just joined the Jane Addams clinic in the fall of 2010, Genevieve jumped in head first, quickly becoming one of its star volunteers. She has taken a variety of cases and even pro-actively seeks out cases. She is a great addition to the clinic. Working through CVLS Polish clinic, George has advised and saved several people from foreclosure. In one notable case, he convinced the bank to modify a homeowner s loan and then helped them resolve outstanding medical bills and other debts. Thanks to George, his clients are able to stay in the property with an affordable mortgage payment while recovering from cancer. George did much of this work from Houston Texas after he took a new Job as a tax attorney. George Peter Alex, Amicus Poloniae

3 Matthew Hulstein, Chancery Court Access to Justice Program Matt first volunteered with CVLS as a college intern, returned to us as a PILI intern, and, finally, as a 3rd year law student extern. This past year, Matt has handled nearly full time work on a part time schedule interspersed between his classwork at DePaul Law School. His client interviews, evaluation and work ups on cases, case memos and briefs are excellently researched and written and he handles matters in court with the poise and skill of an experienced attorney. Sheetal Parikh, Chair, Indo American Legal Clinic. Sheetal has been a steady clinic volunteer, helping dozens of clients with a range of problems. Prior to becoming clinic chair, Sheetal was in charge of client services for the clinic which serves more than 100 clients annually. Sylvia is a born volunteer, carefully and patiently conducting the initial intake interview for every person who comes into the Schiff Hardin / HOW clinic. In addition to her tremendous direct work with clients, countless attorneys have relied on her for advice about the practicalities of getting the clinic sessions up and running. The clinic truly couldn t run without her. E. Sylvia May, Schiff Hardin LLP/HOW, Inc. Legal Clinic

4 CVLS puts a stop to Kansas City Shuffle. Babies. After struggling to pay their mortgage, Andrew and Marijayne ended up in foreclosure. They went into mediation, where, with the help of CVLS, they negotiated a 12-month repayment plan and dismissal of their foreclosure. The bank however, unilaterally and without notice, inserted a provision into the dismissal order that, if the homeowners fell behind again, they could not use mediation. CVLS challenged the order for lack of notice, arguing that neither CVLS nor their clients had agreed to or even discussed the provision. The court stood by its order. CVLS Chancery Court Access to Justice volunteer attorney Timothy J. Storm filed an appeal, arguing that the court s decision violated a basic right of our legal system notice to all parties. The court had allowed the bank s attorneys to add additional language in the order and entered it, without giving the homeowners the opportunity to challenge it. The appellate court agreed and vacated the order. Now, if Andrew and Marijayne ever get into financial trouble again, they will be able to take advantage of the very program that helped them get out of it in the first place, the Cook County Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program. Piper Chase Dickinson Congratulations to Keri Lindsay Dickinson, CVLS staff attorney, and her husband Richard on the birth of their baby girl Piper Chase Dickinson. Piper was born on December 29th and was 10lbs 5oz. Mom, Dad and big brother Buddy are all doing just fine and can t be more excited about the new addition. Charles Kellan Fischer Congratulations to Allegra Fischer, CVLS staff attorney, and her husband Justin on the birth of their baby boy Charles Kellan Fischer. Charles was born on January 15th and was 8lbs 6oz. Mom and baby are happy and healthy as can be.

5 CVLS Seminar Registration February 19 Preparing Your 2012 Income Taxes by Larry Krupp, C.P.A., 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM Larry Krupp will interpret and explain the latest version of the tax code. He will discuss changes and concerns that can affect your business, your personal finances or those of your clients. April 10 Old Wine, New Bottle How to Effectively Authenticate ESI and Get It Admitted. by Dara Chevlin Tarkowski, 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM This session aims to provide a basic overview of the relevant rules and caselaw governing electronically stored information, including how to properly preserve it, collect it, produce it, request it, review it, and most importantly, use it. Please visit to register

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