Once more Legal Aid’s annual luncheon was an outstanding success. Thanks to a hard-working Lunch Committee led by Co-Chairs Ellen Winick Stross and Lori Lutzker, and Chair Emeritus George Corey, close to $300,000 was raised to help provide legal services to low-income people in need in San Mateo County.
Introduced by special friend Joe Cotchett, Judge Thelton E. Henderson’s keynote address inspired the audience with memories of early days as a young public interest attorney, heading the first Legal Aid office in East Palo Alto. Judge Mel Cohn, Ret. recounted the founding of Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County by the San Mateo County Bar Association in 1959. Both judges applauded Legal Aid’s more than 50 years of service in San Mateo County. San Mateo County Superior Court’s Presiding Judge Stephen Hall introduced his fellow active and retired federal and state judges.
Especially touching was the story Legal Aid client Rosa Martinez told. Due to Social Security mistaking her identity for a Florida felon with the same name, Rosa’s disability benefits were cut off. Thanks to Legal Aid attorney Chris Douglas her benefits were restored and the damaging Social Security policy was stopped as a result of a class action suit.
Legal Aid presented three prestigious awards to Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, Susan Uccelli, Uccelli & Associates, Certified Shorthand Reporters, and Michèle M. Bissada, Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada LLP, in recognition of their work in ensuring justice for all in our community. Award winners also received special recognitions from state and local officials.
New Executive Director Lauren Zorfas welcomed the guests and accepted a $23,000 bequest from a client’s estate, presented by Board Treasurer Joseph Galligan. All guests went home with a special edition Legal Aid wine bag and the satisfaction of having helped ensure justice for all in their own small way.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.