13 “Jean,” a woman in her early 50s, experienced a major crisis when her husband suddenly abandoned her. Disabled and unable to work, she was on the verge of being evicted from her apartment. In the nick of time, she discovered the New York City Family Court Volunteer Attorney Program’s free legal clinic and met with attorney David Barres, a Mintz volunteer. David helped Jean prepare an emergency petition for spousal support, and referred her to an organization that provides emergency rental assistance. The New York City Family Court Volunteer Attorney Program began in Kings County Family Court in 2006 and has expanded to New York, Queens, Bronx, and Richmond Counties. It has helped thousands of families. Over 200 attorneys from more than 35 major law firms and companies now volunteer, assisting litigants with questions on child and spousal support, domestic violence, visitation, and custody. Mintz provides coverage one day a month and lends additional support on an emergency basis. Like Jean, most of the program’s clients are low-income individuals. They will be among the approximately 80% of litigants who represent themselves, without an attorney, in New York Family Court. In addition to being enormously helpful to the litigants, the program is vital to the court, which runs more efficiently when unrepresented litigants appear in court better prepared after receiving capable legal guidance. Corporate attorney Bethany Hickey became acquainted with the program several years ago as a summer associate. “I went with two other summer associates to court for the day to observe, and I just loved it,” Bethany said. When she joined Mintz as an associate, Bethany became a regular volunteer. About a year later, in February 2015, she became the firm’s program coordinator. In addition to stalwarts Bethany and David, other Mintz participants have been Todd Rosenbaum, Rachel Gholston, and former Mintz attorneys Lauren Luptak, Yilei He, and Elizabeth Kurpis. “In a day at the court, I could be advising from three to eight litigants. By now, I’ve counseled well over 100,” David said. The work draws on the lessons he’s learned both as a family man and as a litigator—the most important roles in his life. “My life experience as spouse and parent, as well as my litigation training and practice at Mintz, have allowed me to be very helpful to people facing intensely difficult personal and legal situations,” David said. For many litigants, the clinic is a lifeline— helping them to identify and move forward with legal remedies for serious family problems while also connecting them to vital community services. After providing one domestic violence survivor with advice concerning a restraining order, Bethany directed her to professionals who could help her find a social worker to address her trauma and help her young son. As for Jean, after filing for and obtaining an order of spousal support, thus avoiding eviction, she returned to the clinic because her husband was underpaying. This time David helped her prepare an enforcement petition. Buoyed by David’s profes- sional advice and personal encouragement, Jean left with the confidence she needed to face her next court date. Extending a Legal and Personal Lifeline “The New York City Family Court Volunteer Attorney Program offers free consulta- tions in matters of paternity, child support, custody, visitation, family offense [domestic violence], and guardianship. Since 2006, over 20,000 clients have been served. Bethany Hickey and David Barres have been regularly volunteering for several years providing much needed legal advice benefiting the families of New York City. Their continued dedication to the Volunteer Attorney Program is inspiring.” Angela Britton, Esq. Program Coordinator New York City Family Court Volunteer Attorney Program