December 18, 2015
BBVLP Volunteer Attorneys help 2,506 clients in 2015 -- a new record!
A record-breaking 2,506 clients had their legal issues solved by BBVLP volunteer attorneys to date in 2015 and more clients than ever received a higher level of service.

In 2014, the BBVLP served 2,305 clients. Thus, the 2,506 clients served in 2015 is a nine percent increase.

Additionally, 300 clients were helped by volunteer attorneys who accepted their cases pro bono and handled their clients' issues through trial or a successful settlement. That is a 36 percent increase over 2014, when 220 clients received extended representation service from BBVLP volunteer attorneys.

The other clients served in 2016 visited one of the BBVLP's four weekly Help Desks at the Jefferson County Courthouse, the Domestic Relations Courthouse or an area homeless shelter. 
Emily Ruzic and Jackson Hill, both from Bradley Arant, talk with a client about a landlord/tenant problem at the District Court Help Desk. The attorneys decided to take the case as a pro bono extended representation case so they could best help this client.

BBVLP volunteer attorneys at those Help Desks provided a higher quality of service to clients in 2015 with many of the cases being closed after the pro se client successfully achieved a conclusion to their legal matter.

Please be sure to thank the attorneys on this list, who all volunteered with the BBVLP. (If you volunteered with the BBVLP in 2015 and do not see your name on the list, please let us know.)

Also, be sure to thank BBVLP Staff Attorneys Heather Bussey and Katrina Brown, who managed the Help Desks and helped attorneys with their pro bono cases.
It's not too late to be a Champion for Justice
Help the BBVLP make its $500,000 goal by committing to support the organization as part of the Champions for Justice campaign. Thanks to a commitment from Waller Landsden, the BBVLP is just $47,000 away from its goal.

Contact any BBVLP board member or e-mail Nancy Yarbrough to make a pledge.
Help Desks closed for the Holidays
All Help Desks are closed until Monday, January 4th.
Open Cases:

15-0004752
Help this client transfer guardianship from Michigan to Alabama
Client has guardianship in Michigan over two adult cousins with disabilities. Client has moved to Alabama and needs help transferring guardianship. Client has copies of all papers from Michigan. Client is extremely nice and organized. Please contact Katrina Brown to help this client.

15-0004859
Please help this elderly grandfather recover his stolen truck
Client reported his truck stolen in May 2015. Client's truck was found by the police department in July 2015. The police department contacted a wrecker service. The wrecker service applied for a abandoned title at which time the Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles contacted the client to inform him that his title had been revoked as a matter of law. Client took his police report to the wrecker service but they refused to release the car. Please contact Katrina Brown to help this client.

15-0004068
Please help this homeless mother file Bankruptcy
Client is currently living in a homeless shelter. Client would like to file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Client would like to get a fresh start as she tries to rebuild her life. Client is organized and very motivated. Please contact Katrina Brown to help this client.

15-0004403
Please help client with cancer through her divorce process
Client is in an abusive relationship with her husband. Client has no money for an attorney. The parties have no children or property to divide. Please contact Heather Bussey to help this client.

Thank you to the attorneys that closed extended representation cases this week:
Allen B. Blow, Baker Donelson
Cedrick Coleman, May Law Group
Patricia Doblar
John Milledge
John M. McMillan, Baker Donelson
Matthew Moore
Ida Tyree-Hyche, Tyree Hyche & Dixon
Frances K. Quick, Maynard Cooper Gale

Thank you to the attorneys that volunteered at a Help Desk this week:

Civil Help Desk: 32 clients on Monday and Thursday
Tarackia Barge
Patricia Doblar
Adam W. Evans
James Jackson Hill, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
Kendra A. Johnson
Lindsay A. Nadeau
Moses Stone, Stone Law Firm
Mitchell T. Theodore, Cory Watson
Emily Ruzic, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
Donald Winningham, Bressler Amery & Ross

Domestic Relations Help Desk: 31 clients on Wednesday
Ann Gathings, Gathings Law
Matthew Griffin
Amy E. Glenos
Leon Johnson
John Milledge
Lindsay Nadeau

Volunteers
Jessica Chang
Yee Huang
Nathan Dewan

Pathways Homeless clinic: 4 clients on Tuesday
Lindsay Nadeau

Thank you attorneys who accepted extended representation cases this week:
April Bauder, Merrell Law Firm
Ann Gathings, Gathings Law
James Jackson Hill, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
Mitchell T. Theodore, Cory Watson
Michelle Pieroni, Huie Fernambucq & Stewart
Mark your calendar for some basketball at the Wyndall Ivey Tribute on February 4, 2016

The Birmingham Bar Association will pay tribute to Wyndall Ivey at the UAB vs. Florida International basketball game on Thursday, February 4, at 6:00 pm at Bartow Arena. Please click here for more information. 
Look for the BBVLP on WIAT-42
The BBVLP is featured in public service announcements (click here for a preview) for the Foreclosure Prevention Partnership to be aired on WIAT, channel 42 in 2016. The BBVLP is referred cases from the partnership and helped more than a dozen clients avoid foreclosure in 2015.
❄�� �� HAPPY HOLIDAYS! EBRIEF WILL RETURN THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY ❄����
Birmingham Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program
  205-250-5198  | E-Mail | vlpbirmingham.org