LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer
Lawyers Project upon the occasion of its 20th Anniversary Gala Reception
on June 15, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to organizations and individuals who have shown an enduring
commitment to improving the quality of life in their community and to
enhancing their profession and fostering the highest level of profes-
sionalism; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) upon the
occasion of its 20th Anniversary Gala Reception held at the Palm House
at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on Tuesday, June 15, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Established by the Brooklyn Bar Association in 1990, the
Volunteer Lawyers Project is dedicated to ensuring that the legal system
is accessible to those who, because of special needs or the overwhelming
burdens of poverty, would not otherwise have their rights protected or
their voices heard; and
WHEREAS, The VLP's practice areas include family law, consumer law and
elder law; for cases outside these areas, the VLP provides referrals, as
appropriate, to other legal service agencies or the Brooklyn Bar Associ-
ation's own Lawyer Referral Service; and
WHEREAS, The only organization of its kind operating borough-wide in
Brooklyn, the VLP works diligently to solve legal problems affecting
people's fundamental rights; it is an invaluable service and a unique
expression of all that is noble in the legal profession; and
WHEREAS, For 20 years, through the VLP, attorneys from the private bar
have provided critical pro bono assistance to more than 16,000 individ-
uals and families from Brooklyn's poorest neighborhoods, using the legal
system and their expertise to help people regain dignity and control
over their lives; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project has
established itself as a program of worthy purpose and extraordinary
accomplishment and, as it proudly celebrates two decades of providing
free legal services to Brooklyn's neediest residents, it truly merits
the recognition of this Legislative Body and the appreciation of all
those who have benefited from its services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project upon the
occasion of its 20th Anniversary Gala Reception on June 15, 2010; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project.