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Classes

Friday March 11
2016
 Represent LGBT Clients at Federal Disability Hearings with Legal Services NYC

This initiative connects pro bono attorneys with disabled, low-income LGBT clients who need representation at Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability (SSD) administrative hearings. SSI is a need-based program available to extremely low-income, disabled individuals. SSD provides benefits to disabled individuals based on their employment history. These benefits dramatically improve the quality of life for people without means. Pro bono attorneys argue the hearings, cross-examine experts, take testimony, draft supporting papers, and work directly with clients. Experts at Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) screen and evaluate the cases, and provide supervision throughout. Cases take approximately 40 hours.

This project is part of a collaboration between Legal Services NYC, Skadden, and Callen-Lorde—a large LGBT health center. Volunteers are also welcome to join us at regular clinics held at Callen-Lorde for initial client screening.

Scope of work for pro bono volunteers includes:

a.            Meet with the client and confer with LSNYC attorneys about the contours of the case.

b.            Gather medical records as needed—LSNYC often has most of these already.

c.             Draft and submit pre-hearing papers.

d.            Prepare client for examination as witness at hearing. 

e.            Represent client at hearing. Conduct direct examination and defend cross. In some cases the government will put up an expert witness. If so, cross-examine this witness.

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  • When
    Friday, March 11, 2016
    12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
  • Location
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
    4 Times Square
    New York, NY 10036
  • CLE Credits
    Skills: 2.00
  • Format
    Traditional Live Classroom
  • Practice Area(s)
    SSD/SSI
    LGBT
  • Price: $0

About the Faculty

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    Cathy Bowman (Speaker)

    Cathy Bowman is the Director of LGBTQ/HIV Advocacy Unit at Brooklyn Legal Services.
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    Dan Pepitone (Speaker)

    Dan Pepitone is a Senior Staff Attorney at Manhattan Legal Services. He primarily works on a medical-legal partnership with the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. Dan has a general practice and the majority of his cases involve government benefits, housing and discrimination. Dan is a 2006 graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law.