Volunteer Lawyers Project plan ‘chat and chew’ to celebrate Law Day

April 23, 2020 Rob Abruzzese

The Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project is hosting a Law Day “chat and chew” event at 1 p.m. on Friday. Pictured are the VLP staff and volunteers at a Volunteer Recognition event in January. They are, from left, Melissa Starr, Joanne Reece, Sidney Cherubin, Kamille Stewart, Dana Rosenbaum, Anne O’Grady, Jesus Zeno, Eloy Ruiz, Peter White, James Slattery, Heidi Lee Henderson, Daniele Wilson and Jennifer Cook. Photo: Rob Abruzesse/Brooklyn Eagle

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Ever since 1968, Law Day has been the annual May 1st celebration of the law by bar associations, law schools and courthouses all over the country and in Brooklyn.

Many of these celebrations will not happen this year because of the coronavirus. However, the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) is planning a virtual celebration.

On Friday, May 1 at 1 p.m., the VLP will host a virtual “chat and chew” with its staff and volunteers as its way of marking the occasion.

“The format is designed to be open and engaging for all who attend. VLP staff and volunteers will have opportunities to participate in conversations focused on the current crisis and check in on one another both personally and professionally,” said Anne O’Grady, the VLP’s Pro Bono Director. “We will also share what the VLP has been up to since transitioning to remote work and leave ample time for questions about your current VLP matters, as well as discuss client representation needs and emerging trends.”

The VLP is currently working through the COVID-19 pandemic and providing legal services from home. Their intake lines are still open and they are meeting clients virtually to discuss legal issues.

While the courts themselves are operating at a limited capacity and via remote conferencing, the VLP has seen a rise in certain cases due to the pandemic. Financial issues due to the economic depression, credit card, auto loan and personal loan debts on top of medical and student loans, and pandemic related scams are forcing people to seek out legal counsel.

“We face difficult challenges as a result of COVID-19, and now more than ever we need each other for support so that together we can continue to provide critical legal services and outreach to Brooklyn’s most vulnerable and overlooked residents,” O’Grady said.

Lawyers looking to celebrate Law Day with the VLP should RSVP by Thursday by visiting www.brooklynvlp.org.