The Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) of the Brooklyn Bar Association held a reception on Nov. 28, honoring Sandy Hauser for her tireless commitment to pro bono, as well as honoring Sonnenschein for its continued support. The VLP's Executive Director, Jeannie Costello, and its new Pro Bono Coordinator, Emilio Torres-Lumsden, are both former Sonnenschein associates.
The VLP runs critical programs for Brooklyn's indigent communities, including home and hospital visiting lawyer services for the elderly and people with HIV/AIDS; a Battered Women's Legal Helpline; and a Family Law Program to help clients litigate custody, visitation, and child and spousal support issues.
Sandy is the pro bono partner for Sonnenschein's New York office. In November 2004, she was awarded the "Commitment to Justice" Award from inMotion. Under her leadership, Sonnenschein was awarded the prestigious "Cornerstone Award" in 2004 by the Lawyers Alliance for New York. Sandy serves on the Board of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice (formerly the Welfare Law Center), and participates in NewYorkSaysThankYou.org. Before coming to Sonnenschein, she worked for the Welfare Law Project. She has authored numerous legal publications and advocacy materials on welfare and child support issues and has been a featured speaker on issues relating to the nation's poor. She also has represented indigent women and families in class action/injunctive relief litigation, as well as in legislative and regulatory battles, over entitlement to federal income support and Medicaid benefits.
Ms. Costello praised Sandy's pro bono advocacy. In awarding Sandy the Letica Award for Outstanding Support of Pro Bono, VLP board member Terri Letica spoke of Sandy's efforts to help the VLP meet its clients' needs after the tragic death of its beloved pro bono coordinator, Liz Padilla, in 2005. Sandy coordinated and sent Sonnenschein attorneys and paralegals to VLP headquarters in those first dire months after Ms. Padilla's death in what Ms. Letica called, "a simple act of human kindness in the face of unspeakable tragedy."
Sandy praised the Sonnenschein attorneys, paralegals and summer associates who contribute their time and energies to the VLP, saying: "Nothing makes me more proud than to see so many Sonnenschein attorneys, paralegals and summer associates apply their learning to make a real difference in the lives of our clients—whether by enabling them to gain control of their lives by freeing themselves from abusive relationships, or by counseling clients on their basic rights, or by giving needed support and guidance to the elderly."
