Briefly Speaking: October 2023
October is National Pro Bono Month!
In this special edition of Briefly Speaking, we spotlight an outstanding volunteer and an incredible impact story, invite you to an upcoming virtual CLE, and honor a dear friend.
Thousands of Kentuckians each year face a life altering (and sometimes life threatening) civil legal crisis. We could not serve our clients without the passion, dedication, and assistance of our volunteers. Thank you for your service!
THANK YOU, BRIAN, FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Brian Abell was an outstanding volunteer, representing clients in housing court and supporting Legal Aid Society in every way imaginable. In early October, Brian passed away. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion and advocacy for those in need. Thank you, Brian. We will miss you.
volunteer spotlight
CONNOR STURGILL
Vaughn Petitt Legal Group
“Representing clients through the Volunteer Eviction Defense Program as a student attorney has given me invaluable experience developing and applying the skills essential to practicing law, all while serving individuals in our community who have pressing needs for legal advocacy. This work is not only mutually beneficial; it is important!”
MEET NARLECIA
Meet Narlecia and her son. Narlecia was devastated when her employer suddenly cut her hours. A single mom, Narlecia was working paycheck to paycheck, just making ends meet. In January, Narlecia had scraped together just enough to pay her rent, but February was just around the corner, and she didn’t know how she would do it again. While searching for a second job, Narlecia received an eviction notice.
Narlecia was approved for rental assistance through the Healthy at Home Eviction Prevention program. Unfortunately, her landlord refused to accept that payment assistance. A few days before her eviction hearing, she contacted Legal Aid Society for help. Legal Aid Society’s Volunteer Eviction Defense Program connected Narlecia with Connor Sturgill, then a third-year law student at the Brandeis School of Law working in the Ackerson Law Clinic (Connor is now an Associate with Vaughn Petitt Law Group). Connor attempted to contact the landlord and his attorney to reach an agreement – to no avail.
With support from our Volunteer Eviction Defense Program team, Connor studied the facts of Narlecia’s case. He found that the plaintiff improperly filed the eviction notice without providing a 7-day notice to pay or vacate for February’s rent. Narlecia and Connor courageously took the case to trial and, during cross-examination, proved the notice was never given to Narlecia. Narlecia’s eviction was dismissed, and her home was saved.
IMPACT OF SERVICES
Representation matters! Since the launch of the Volunteer Eviction Defense Program in early 2021, our compassionate volunteers assisted over 150 clients facing traumatic evictions. Over 80% of those helped by our Volunteer Eviction Defense Program avoid eviction judgments.
YOU CAN HELP! Join our Volunteer Eviction Defense Program today.
Our team provides training, co-counsel, and ongoing support to ensure our volunteers feel confident in the courtroom. Just a few minutes of your time can make a long-term impact on the lives of our neighbors.