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April 2024

Latest News & Updates from the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc.

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Changing Lives One Tax Return at a Time

Jane Callahan

Legal Aid Society of the OCBA Pro Bono Attorney

Pro Bono Spotlight Jane Callahan


Instead of receiving their expected tax refund this season, many individuals were surprised to find that they owed additional money to the IRS. One of the most common reasons for owing taxes this year was under-withholding, which means you need to take more taxes out of your paycheck. Another reason was the Advanced Premium Tax Credit provided to individuals who purchased health insurance through the Marketplace. While it may seem convenient to have a higher paycheck or a cash advance at that moment, it ultimately costs. These issues have created new financial hardship for many Orange County residents who are already struggling financially. For the reasons mentioned above, the Legal Aid Society of the OCBA, in coordination with VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), administers a FREE tax clinic to assist low-income individuals with their taxes. Attorney Jane Callahan, who has volunteered with the Legal Aid Society for over 20 years through this program, has made it her mission to help these individuals with quality service, providing them with much-needed relief. 

"I think it's important for all of our attorneys to give back in this way," said Jane when asked about her long-term pro bono service. Despite having to re-test every year, a requirement demanded by VITA for tax-assistance efficiency, this attorney has yet to be deterred from serving Orange County residents in such a remarkable way. Most of the clients she receives have highly complex tax issues that only she may be able to assist with because of her expert knowledge working as an attorney practicing in this area of law. Jane is a tax attorney with the Dean Mead law firm and a member of the American Bar Association, Tax Section, and the Florida Bar, Tax Section. She is recognized for her meticulous tax preparation style, which has helped countless individuals resolve tax issues satisfactorily and quickly.


While discussing her volunteer work, Jane shared a story about a client who left a profound impact on her. The client was a young woman with three children who had escaped from an abusive husband and was living in a shelter. Jane assisted her in resolving a tax issue and successfully helped her get back a refund of $3,500. "This may not seem like a lot of money for some people, but it meant so much to her because she could now leave the homeless shelter and get a safer place for her and her children to live," said Jane. She described how moving it was to see the young woman's happiness, knowing she helped change her life for the better, a testament to the transformative power of pro bono work.


It is an honor to have attorneys such as Jane Callahan volunteering as pro bono attorneys with the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. Although these services are free, we provide our clients with adequate representation and quality service daily. Thank you, Jane, for going above and beyond to help those in need. For more information about volunteering with our organization, please visit www.legalaidOCBA.org.

PATH TO CITIZENSHIP EVENT

Legal Aid is joining Poder LatinX to host a free workshop on becoming a United States citizen. The event will be held on May 8th and May 22nd at Barry University School of Law. Check the graphic below for information about registration.

GAL Bike Give-Away


The Guardian Ad Litem Semi-Annual Bike Event is set to occur on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Let's spread the word!

To register and submit a referral for a child or family, you must complete the required form and return it no later than June 5, 2024, via email to bike@legalaidobca.org. Upon receipt of the request form, the requestor will receive an email confirmation and pick up details. If you submit a form on behalf of the caregiver, please ensure the caregiver’s contact information is listed. Bike request forms can be submitted for children placed out of county. However, all bikes must be picked up before or during the hours of the event.  

 

If you or someone you know is interested in donating a gently used bike, please contact the Bike Fairy, Kathy Downs, at Kathleen.Downs@roberthalf.com.


Thank you, OCBA!

We would like to give a special shout-out to the Orange County Bar Association for their toy donation. Our children deserve to be happy, regardless of their unfortunate life circumstances. We can't wait to gift these toys to our foster youth and put a smile on their faces!

2024 Valor Clinic Schedule

Our Valor Clinic is still open!


Legal Aid Society Lunchtime Trainings

The Legal Aid Society will be hosting a series of trainings providing in-depth insight to various legal issues. These Lunchtime trainings are reserved for Lawyers, Paralegals, & Law Students. These trainings are virtual requiring registration via Zoom.


To register, please contact Janis Mason (jmason@legalaidocba.org) or Michelle Erazmus (merazmus@legalaidocba.org). All trainings will be uploaded on the Legal Aid Society website here.



Upcoming Trainings:

  

(Prerecorded) May 07, 2024 “How to do a Guardian Advocacy in Florida.”

By: CED/ Tax Clinic Staff Attorney Laura Sanchez/ Guest Presenter: Pamela Martini Esq.

Learn Guardian Advocacy 101

CLE: Pending

  

(Virtual ) May 21, 2024 ( GAL ) “Dependency Problem Solving Courts – An Overview of Baby Court and Drug Court”

By: GAL Developmental Disability & GAL specialty Courts Staff Attorney Mexcye Roberts /Guest Speakers: Mario Alchino – Baby (ECC) Court Coordinator, 9th Judicial Circuit & Dawn Curtis –Drug (FDDC) Court Coordinator, 9th Judicial Circuit

Learn an overview of ECC-(Baby Court) & FDDC-(Drug Court). ECC and FDDC are the problem-solving courts in the dependency system. 

CLE Pending


If attending in person, please make sure to register with Jmason@legalaidocba.org OR Merazmus@legalaidocba.org.

FREE LUNCH AND SPACE ARE LIMITED FOR IN PERSON TRAININGS

 

We have sponsorship opportunities for these informative trainings. Want exposure for your business within the legal community? Please contact Donna Haynes at dhaynes@legalaidocba.org for more information. Thank You!


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