December 9, 2016 
eBrief

Congratulations to BBVLP Patent Pro Bono Attorneys

Thanks to the following attorneys who have donated their skills as part of the BBVLP's Pro Bono Patent Program.

Larry Brantley
Waller Lansden
Russell Gache
The Gache Law Firm
Jake Gipson
Bradley
Eddie Kiessling
Nicholas Landau
Bradley
Kimberly Vines
Bradley
Phillip Walker
Bradley

Michael Williams
Bradley

Frank Lipinski
Lipinski Patent Law
Jay Miller
Thomas Plunkett, Jr.
Theodore Robin, Jr.

The BBVLP's Pro Bono Patent Program provides low-income inventors with assistance filing and obtaining patents through the United States Patent Office.

"A typical sole-inventor or entrepreneur is not familiar with patent law," said Kimberly Vines, PhD, Bradley, who volunteers with the program. "Without pro bono assistance, obtaining a patent on an invention would likely be out of reach for most low-income inventors."

Kimberly said she is happy to help low-income inventors, as she knows her services are needed because there are limited number of registered patent attorneys in Alabama. Kimberly also said that taking pro bono cases is a great way to gain experience.

"I am a recent law school graduate and I've been a practicing patent attorney one-and-a-half years," she said. "Before I even had a job, I represented a pro bono client in a no-contest divorce. I didn't have practical experience in family law matters. I had no desire to practice in that area. My attitude was that I might learn something and I would be helping someone in the process. And that is exactly what happened."

Kimberly said the BBVLP has a good staff who can support a new attorney if they take a case. "BBVLP has a terrific staff who are very knowledgeable and responsive to questions, so the support will be there when you do take a case."

Please contact Graham Hewitt to volunteer with the Pro Bono Patent Program.
Keyana Lewis, client Tia Freeman, Anna Davis and Richard Carmody, Adams and Reese.

Project Homeless Connect Help Desk had a record-breaking day serving 15 clients!

More homeless clients than ever visited the new Project Homeless Connect: Monthly Legal Help Desk this week in the offices of One Roof at Cooper Green Mercy Health Services.

Fifteen homeless clients received legal assistance from six volunteer attorneys from Butler Snow, Carney Dye, Bressler Amery & Ross, Adams & Reese and Cloud & Willis.

The client pictured above was able to obtain both legal help from Anna Davis, Adams & Reese, and help obtaining disability benefits from Keyana Lewis, from One Roof, a non-profit that coordinates services to end homelessness.

Anna is helping the client clear up several outstanding tickets with the City of Birmingham so she can get her driver's license and Keyana is helping the client with social security disability issues.

Working together, the goal is to help this client, who is currently living in her car, and the others who visit the Help Desk, clear up their legal and other issues to be able find safe housing.

 HELP A CLIENT IN NEED
1. Please help a domestic violence victim obtain a divorce from her husband who has allegedly committed fraud against her

This client needs help divorcing her abusive husband, whom she left four years ago.  Her husband allegedly stole her credit card and has racked up over $6,000 in charges, none of which he has paid back. There are no minor children together.  There is a jointly owned marital residence, but our client has no interest in keeping the home and just wants her portion of what it is worth. (15-0004084)

*This is the second time in eBrief
2. Please help this client fight a unlawful eviction

Client stated that her landlord refuses to accept her rent payment. After two months of attempting to pay the landlord, the client received a small claims complaint in the mail stating that the client owed $1,680 in back rent, lates, and court costs. The next day the client received a final eviction notice. The notice stated the client needed to vacate the property in 10 days. No unlawful detainer was filed in this case.  Client has her rent money and is prepared to pay. Client needs help fighting the unlawful eviction. (16-0007092)

3.  Please Help This Abused Woman Through Her Divorce Process

The woman's spouse drew a gun on her and she had to flee the residence to escape his abuse. Our client has contacted the YWCA for assistance in filing appropriate domestic violence paperwork. There are no children, property or debt of the parties. A mentor from the YWCA would be able to assist the attorney that takes this case. (16-0007517)

*Photo is blurred due to Domestic Violence
4. Please Help Disabled Abused Woman Through Her Divorce  

The client has an active Protection From Abuse order against her spouse. There are no children, property or debt of the parties. The BBVLP has put the client in contact with the YWCA Domestic Violence Services and can provide any attorney who accepts this case guidance from a mentor attorney who is experienced with domestic violence divorces. (16-0007371)

*Photo is blurred due to Domestic Violence
 BE A HELP DESK VOLUNTEER
Sign-up to volunteer at a Help Desk like the BBA Womens Section
Womens Section members Brandy Robertson,  Heninger Garrison Davis, A bigail Van Alstyne, Quinn Connor Weaver Davies & Rouco,  Susan HanJulie Carter, Bradley, and Yashiba Blanchard volunteered at the Domestic Relations Help Desk this week.

Click here to volunteer at a Help Desk! We are seeking volunteers for all of 2017 and for the following dates in the next weeks:

Civil Help Desk:
Monday 12/12 10:00 - 12:00
Thursday 12/ 15 10:00 - 12:00 
Domestic Relations Help Desk:
Wednesday 12/14 10:00 - 12:00

 HELP DESK ATTORNEYS: 56 CLIENTS SERVED
Rachel Barlotta, Baker Donelson
James Bedsole
Yashiba Blanchard
Richard Carmody, Adams and Reese
Jack Carney, Carney & Dye
Julie Diane Carter, Bradley
Gregory Cook, Balch & Bingham
Anna Davis, Adam & Reese
Alana Frederick, Bradley
Ann Gathings, Gathings Law
Melinda Guillaume
Susan Han, Nettles Han Law
Scott Harwell, The Harwell Law Firm
Charlie Lorant, Lorant Law Group 
Matthew McVay 
Michele Marron, Bradley 
Jonathan Monson, BBVA Compass
Brandy Lee Robertson, Heninger Garrison Davis
Heather Ward, Maynard Cooper & Gale
Christopher Whetstone, Cloud & Willis
Abigail Van Alstyne
Morgan West 
Andrew Wheeler-Berliner, The Berliner Firm
Donnie Winningham, Bressler Amery & Ross
Melonie Wright, Butler Snow

Volunteers:
Jessica Chang, Cumberland Law School
Sidni Smith, AmeriCorps Member / UAB
 ATTORNEYS VOLUNTEERING NEXT WEEK:
April Bauder, Merrell Law Firm
Jack Carney, Carney Dye
Rick Fernambucq, Boyd, Fernambucq,
Dunn & Fann
Julie Goyer
Melinda Guillaume
Yu Huang
Irene Motles
Adam Tice 
Andrew Wheeler-Berliner
Sarah Yates, Bressler Amery & Ross
 ATTORNEYS WHO ACCEPTED A CASE THIS WEEK:
Rachel Barlotta
Bach & Bingham

Rachel agreed to assist a disabled client who has breast cancer through her divorce process.


Ann Gathings
Gathings Law

Ann accepted a disabled client's custody case.

Michael Hanle
Jaffe Hanle Whisonant & Knight

Michael agreed to help a homeless disabled client through his criminal cases.


Abigail Van Alstyne
Quinn, Connor, Weaver, Davies & Rouco

Abigail accepted a grandparent visitation contempt case for a disabled client.

Alaric May
May Law Firm

Alaric agreed to assist a single mother in filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy



 ATTORNEYS WHO CLOSED A CASE THIS WEEK:
Monica Austin-Hatcher
Hatcher Law Office

Monica helped a woman receive sole custody through her divorce process.


 
Jacquese Gary
Gary Law

Jacquese helped assist a referral from Legal Services receive a divorce with the distribution of parties' personal property.
Melinda Guillaume

Melinda  assisted a couple with an uncontested divorce with a short term marriage.


J ohn Milledge 

John successfully modified client's child support payments to reflect social security credits.
Jacqueline Morrette

Jacqueline helped a lady whose spouse was in jail awaiting a capital murder charge against his girlfriend.


A laric May
May Law

Alaric Firm helped a client obtain a successful discharge from Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

 NEWS TO KNOW:
Free CLE's to Start the New Year!

BANKRUPTCY 101 CLE: Decoding Chapter 7
Friday, January 6th, 2017
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Learn how to screen clients for possible Chapter 7 Bankruptcies in preparation for the BBVLP's new 2017 monthly Pro Bono Bankruptcy Clinic for low-income clients beginning in February on the first Friday of every month at the Federal Bankruptcy Court.
Register by emailing  Katrina Brown.


HELPING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY- VETERANS CLE
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
2 to 5 p.m.
Learn how to provide legal assistance to veterans and their families in preparation for the BBVLP's new Veterans Help Desk on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the Birmingham VA Medical Center.
Register by emailing Katrina Brown.
Donate
Donations from the community are the number one funding source for the Volunteer Lawyer Program. 
Click here to donate.

There are two ways attorneys can choose to help with the Volunteer Lawyer Program. Click here for what you can do.


Only clients who cannot afford representative are served by the BBVLP. Click here to see eligibility guidelines.
STAY CONNECTED: