2009

Blue Ridge Legal Services

Annual Report

dear FRIENDS
reviewing our activities during 2009. I am proud of what we have accomplished over the last year in making Justice for All a reality for thousands of low-income residents Highlands. Because of the exceptional work of our small but clients, the so-called Justice Gap. of the Shenandoah Valley, Roanoke Valley, and Alleghany bono work for our clients, we have bridged, at least for those Whats this Justice Gap, you ask? Justice Gap Im pleased to share with you this Annual Report highly motivated staff, supported by our Board of Directors across our service areas who are selflessly undertaking pro American ideal of Equal Justice under Law, on one hand, and the reality that low-income Americans actually encounter alone, bewildered by the procedures, arcane legalese, and Poor people have access to the American courts in the same and the donated services of hundreds of attorney volunteers refers to the stark contrast which exists between the on a routine basis when they must go into the courtroom complicated array of laws that control their fates. As former little secret is that, to a greater extent than it would like to a lawyer, an ordinary citizen is easily lost and confused in our court system. For low-income Americans, lacking the means to secure the basic necessities of life for themselves and their children, their inability to afford the services of an attorney means they are effectively locked out of our system of justice. So yes, we have bridged the Justice Gap for several good news that we can celebrate in this Annual Report. But sense that the Christians had access to the lions when they were dragged into a Roman arena. Our legal systems dirty

I would be painting a grossly misleading picture if I left it at that. The harsh reality is that we are meeting only a fraction of the civil legal needs of the poor in our service area. We

routinely turn away twice as many needy clients as we help, and the current economic crisis has only exacerbated the imbalance between need and the resources to meet them. Surveys by the American Bar Association and scores of statewide bars and commissions uniformly confirm that the current system of civil legal aid in America meets only about help in addressing a serious legal problem that can destroy their cases. 20% of the civil legal needs of Americas poor. That statistic is reflected daily in the telephone calls to our offices, from desperate individuals and families in our Valley communities overwhelmed by our current caseloads and cannot take on who believe in the principle of Equal Justice for All. We need your help in raising the publics level of awareness of this can help. fundamental flaw in Americas system of justice, even as we Thank you,

seeking legal assistance, having no where else to turn for turn those often tearful callers away, telling them that we are

their lives if left unattended. All too often, we are forced to That should be an unacceptable reality for Americans

California Court of Appeals Justice Earl Johnson Jr. observed, admit, lawyers hold the keys to the courthouse door. Without

celebrate the ongoing, high quality legal work of our legal aid staff and pro bono attorneys for those low-income clients we

thousand low-income folks here in the Valley. Thats the

John E. Whitfield Executive Director

table of

CONTENTS
OUR MISSION 4 OUR SERVICES 5 OUTCOMES ACHIEVED 7 2009 CASEWORK 11 STATEMENT OF SUPPORT & REVENUE 14 STATEMENT OF EXPENSES 15 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 17 2009 DONORS 18 PRO BONO ATTORNEYS 19 OUR PEOPLE 21 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 22

our MISSION

Blue Ridge Legal Services (BRLS) is a private, non-profit charitable law firm that provides free, high quality legal assistance in civil matters of critical importance to low-income residents of the Shenandoah and Roanoke Valleys.

BRLS is committed to eliminating poverty-based inequities in the civil justice system by providing legal services without charge to clients who could not otherwise obtain them. This mission is premised on the recognition that the American ideal of Equal Justice for All can only be achieved if everyone has quality access to our judicial system. Otherwise, the principle of equal justice remains a hollow promise. BRLS is part of a nationwide network of non-profit legal aid programs providing free legal assistance to those who qualify. We are one of 13 legal aid societies licensed by the Virginia State Bar serving various areas of the Commonwealth. We are not a government agency. Our activities are, however, regulated by federal and state law, and by grant guidelines.

Blue Ridge Legal Services employs a small team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff in offices located in Harrisonburg, Lexington, Roanoke, and Winchester. Our legal staff is supplemented by the donated services of more than 450 private attorneys throughout the Shenandoah and Roanoke Valleys who handle referral cases on a pro bono basis. Our services range from legal advice to representation in negotiations and litigation. These cases often reach administrative agencies, and state and federal courts, depending on the needs of the client, the type of case, and available resources. The most common legal problems handled by Blue Ridge Legal Services include

our SERVICES
Family disputes including protection from domestic violence, child custody, or divorce Debts and bankruptcy Housing and landlord-tenant disputes Eligibility for various government benefits such as food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits Access to health care including Medicaid or Medicare Consumer disputes Issues affecting seniors such as exploitation and problems with nursing homes

We reserve the right to decline representation in a particular matter according to our Board of Directors, existing caseloads, ethical considerations, and the merits of the case itself. We do not handle criminal matters, traffic violations, personal injuries, malpractice cases or cases outside of our priorities. 5

Case 1
#

Ms. K, an 81-year-old woman, was hit by a car while walking her dog. As a result of her injuries, she was no longer able to live at home and was admitted to a nursing home. She also needed help handling her business affairs, so she gave her son power of attorney. Her son applied for Medicaid to pay for the nursing home bill; however, he was unable to show how he had used $19,151 of Ms. Ks money, most of which came from the accident insurance settlement. Due to an uncompensated transfer of assets, our client was ineligible for Medicaid assistance. Our client had an outstanding bill of $42,714 from the nursing home and had been threatened with being discharged.

BRLSs public benefits paralegal helped Ms. K file a claim for an Undue Hardship Exemption. This would help qualify her for an exemption if she was able to prove that the transfer was not her fault and that her life would be at risk without nursing home care. The paralegal helped her gather all the evidence needed to meet the criteria and submitted it with a written legal argument stating that she qualified for the waiver exemption. She obtained approval for the exemption and Medicaid paid the amount owed to the nursing home. Ms. K was allowed to remain in the nursing home and receive the care she needed.

outcomes ACHIEVED
The following summarizes the outcomes for our clients during 2009:

Blue Ridge Legal Services measures its success rate in cases involving ongoing representation. Regardless of outcome, we believe the act of representing someone is a valuable service. Of the 793 cases closed during 2009, the clients goals were fully achieved in 85% of the cases and partially achieved in 9%. Overall, our services benefited more than 7,000 people. Debtor Relief and Consumer Issues Obtained 32 bankruptcy discharges, discharging $1,641,576 in debts Stopped or reduced debt collection actions against 32 clients, avoiding $135,312 in debts Recovered $5,300 in fraudulent sales practices for three clients Obtained insurance benefits of over $120,000 for four clients Avoided deficiency judgments for 10 clients, avoiding $90,346 in claims while recovering $10,500 Defeated 14 illegal sales contracts, recovering $45,658 for our clients Enforced warranties for eight clients, recovering $26,491 Provided counsel or referral to 630 clients
*Unsuccessfully represented eight clients

Family-Related Issues Obtained adoptions for four families Assisted 56 victims of domestic violence with safety planning Obtained protection from adult abuse/exploitation for 10 clients, including a recovery of $24,899 Obtained court protection for 36 victims of domestic violence Obtained, preserved, or increased child support for five clients worth $812 monthly as well as $28,101 in lump sum payments Obtained child custody orders for 20 clients, including $1,011 in monthly child support benefits Obtained guardianship for 11 incapacitated adults Avoided removal of children for one client Acted as Guardian ad litem for 10 children Assisted 14 clients with family matters outside of litigation Obtained divorces or annulments for 390 clients, including financial benefits of $128,716 in lump sums and $1,470 in monthly benefits, and 114 name changes Provided counsel or referral to 655 other clients
*Unsuccessfully represented 27 clients

outcomes achieved
Access to Health Care Issues Obtained, preserved, or increased Medicaid benefits for 20 clients, including $76,547 in lump sum benefits and $16,443 in monthly benefits Obtained, preserved, or increased Medicare benefits for three clients, saving nearly $19,000 Prevented denial of rights to eight nursing home residents, saving $10,000 in lump sum and $3,710 in monthly financial benefit Obtained other financial assistance on medical bills for four clients worth over $11,000 Assisted three clients with health care matters outside of litigation with $8,000 in financial benefit Obtained access to health care for four clients
*Unsuccessfully represented one client

Housing Issues

Prevented evictions for 22 families, while successfully defeating claims for nearly $13,000 in
charges

Avoided foreclosure for eight clients, with over $89,000 in financial benefit
Restored eight families access to their property Avoided over $53,000 in illegal charges imposed by landlords on 21 families Enforced rights to decent, habitable housing for eight clients Obtained legal assistance in developing affordable housing, benefiting three clients Provided non-litigation advocacy on behalf of 42 households Provided counsel and advice to 294 other clients

*Unsuccessfully represented 14 clients in housing disputes while still achieving over $3,000

CONTINUED
Other Public Benefit Issues Obtained Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security disability benefits for 13 clients, securing nearly $32,000 in lump sum benefits, and over $3,500 in monthly benefits Obtained, preserved, or increased unemployment compensation benefits for 30 clients Obtained, preserved, or increased Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits for one client

*Unsuccessfully represented nine clients

Provided non-litigation advocacy on behalf of 15 households

Provided counsel or referral to 77 other clients Obtained, preserved, or increased food stamps for two families

Miscellaneous Matters Secured an appropriate education plan for two children Overcame barrier to school enrollment for one child Secured acquittal in one delinquency case Assisted six clients outside of litigation in addressing education issues Advised 13 clients regarding employment issues Prepared 81 living wills, powers of attorney, or health care proxy documents Obtained citizenship for one client Advised eight clients on immigration issues and another five clients on civil rights issues Obtained non-litigation advocacy for three clients with civil rights or disability issues
*Unsuccessfully represented one parent in an education case

Case 2
#
Our client, Mr. F, worked hard to build a modest home on his family land. Soon after refinancing his home, he lost his job. He kept afloat financially by working a combination of part-time jobs, but was unable to keep up with his mortgage payments. Mr. F contacted BRLS just a few days before a scheduled foreclosure sale and we identified a Truth in Lending Act (TILA) violation in the mortgage paperwork. Based on the violation, our attorney sent notice rescinding the contract and filed an injunction and a complaint with the local circuit court to stop the sale. The trustee halted the foreclosure sale voluntarily. The lender responded by moving the case to the federal court and filing a motion for summary judgment. After the issues were briefed, a settlement was reached in which Mr. Fs loan was modified, enabling him to keep his home.

2009 CASEWORK
Residents of the Blue Ridge community have been greatly impacted by the recent economic recession, which has also affected our staffs ability to take on the increased volume of cases. The number of cases closed in 2009 increased 6% over 2008. As noted in the graph on the left, 2,926 cases were closed in 2009 by staff and pro bono attorneys, compared with 2,756 cases in 2008, and 2,734 cases in 2007. ongoing representation was provided in 30% of the cases closed. We negotiated 37 settlements without litigation, settled another 111 cases in litigation, and resolved 55 cases through administrative agency decisions. The BRLS staff handled 467 uncontested court decisions, which were primarily uncontested divorces, while also including 33 Chapter Seven bankruptcy discharges. There were 111 contested court decisions among the case closures. Of those cases, 82 involved extensive services, a category that includes more complicated, non-litigation matters, as well as litigation that did not reach a court decision. Due to an increased need, the number of cases transferred to Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley (LASRV) increased from 1,389 in 2008 to 1,601 in 2009.

As shown in the following graph,

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2009 casework
The breakdown of cases into substantive categories reveals interesting changes from the previous year. For instance, family dispute cases constitute the largest category at 41%, down significantly from 53% just three years ago. This reflects the impact of intake limitations imposed in several offices. Consumer/ finance issues comprised 28%, up 25% from last year. All other categories remained unchanged from 2008. See the accompanying graph, Cases Closed by Legal Category Program-wide 2009. Cases Closed by Legal Category Program-wide 2009 Counsel and advice Limited Action Settled without Litigation Settled with Litigation Agency Decision Uncontested Court Decision Contested Court Decision Appellate Court Decision Extensive Service LASRV BRLS Staff 1427 296 30 100 46 270 93 8 71 Volunteer 247 14 2 11 2 197 18 0 4 1601

This is a wonderful service for senior citizens who have a fixed income. Its good to know there are services like yours we can turn to. Winchester resident

12

CONTINUED
As shown by Cases Closed by Region 2009, BRLS continues to provide a fair distribution of services across its area, notwithstanding the distance to the outlying jurisdictions.
Locality Alleghany County Augusta County Bath County Bedford, City of Bedford County Botetourt County Buena Vista, City of Clarke County Covington, City of Craig County Franklin County Frederick County Harrisonburg, City of Highland County Lexington, City of Page County Roanoke, City of Roanoke County Rockbridge County Rockingham County Salem, City of Shenandoah County Staunton, City of Warren County Waynesboro, City of Winchester, City of Other Virginia Other USA TOTALS

Cases Closed by Region 2009

BRLS Staff 83 147 15 8 39 11 91 16 68 1 51 156 220 1 79 106 134 43 129 256 11 79 174 83 156 123 21 32 2,333 Volunteer Attorneys 0 20 0 5 23 18 0 1 0 4 54 26 20 0 0 14 198 65 0 43 28 5 17 9 20 12 5 6 593

Totals 83 167 15 13 62 29 91 17 68 5 105 182 240 1 79 120 332 108 129 299 39 84 191 92 176 135 26 38 2,926

The number of cases closed is an important gauge of the level of our activities for the year. Of the 543 cases handled by our staff (does not include pro bono cases), the clients goals were achieved in 82% of the cases. We were only partially successful in 11% of the cases and we lost 7% of the cases. We track our success rate systematically in cases involving ongoing representation (i.e., negotiated settlements, administrative agency decision, and court decisions). This is a subjective process, but provides a statistical basis for measuring our success based on an honest appraisal of the case's outcome. 13

statement of

SUPPORT & REVENUE

Support & Revenue
Grants & Contracts -Federal grants -State grants Interest Donated services Contributions Other support Net assets released from restrictions Expiration of time or purpose restrictions Total support & revenue

Year Ended December 31, 2009

$94,440 $651,890 $4,331 $361,109 $19,660 $256,085

$810,098 $2,197,613

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statement of

EXPENSES
Year Ended December 31, 2009
$792, 556 $47,098 $356,924 $353,968 $330,148 $35,729 $53,618 $44,745 $30,025 $10,645 $9,458 $10,712 $15,525 $2,850 $1,724 $2, 664 $13,750 $19,679 $5,328 $9,278 $26,609 $2,173,033 $24,580 $259,913 $284,493

EXPENSES
Lawyer wages Paralegal wages Non-Legal wages Donated services

Employee benefits Travel Rent Utilities and telephone Office supplies, postage, and printing Advertising Insurance Professional dues Repairs and maintenance Litigation expenses Equipment rental Training and conferences Independent contacts Library materials Miscellaneous Statewide Website Project Depreciation Total Expenses Change in net assets Net assets at beginning of year Net assets at end of year

15

Case 3
#

Faced with foreclosure and eviction, Mr. E and his family were on the brink of losing their life savings and becoming homeless. Two weeks short of 20 years of service, he was discharged from the military for medical reasons. Mr. E attempted to qualify for military pension by signing with the National Guard, and was called for a one year tour of duty in Iraq. Prior to his deployment, he invested his life savings of $30,000 into a home for his wife and three children under an installment land sale contract. Defaulting on payments meant that Mr. E would automatically lose his home. A year later, Mr. E was released by the National Guard for significant health problems, returned home from Iraq and was physically unable to work. He sought employment and applied for veterans benefits. Mr. Es wife was unable to work due to epilepsy. The households only source of income came from the couples disabled teenage son, who held a part-time job at a restaurant. With this small income, Mr. E was unable to make the mortgage payment and risked losing his home.

After meeting with Mr. E, our legal aid staff acquired marshal resources in the community for his family. BRLS was able to negotiate a repayment plan on the mortgage by contacting the lawyer who handled the pending foreclosure and eviction. Mr. E did not lose the house and his applications for veterans benefits were approved.

statement of

FINANCIAL POSITION
$226,174 $151,822 $9,902 $886,134 $35,178 $10,281 $1,319,491 $6,724 $134,125 $441,590 $18,695 $501,950 $99,184 $1,418,675

ASSETS Cash Investments Cash in escrow, client deposits Contributions receivable Support receivable Prepaid expenses Total current assets PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Land Building and improvements Furniture, fixtures and equipment Law library Less accumulated depreciation Total property and equipment Total assets LIABILITIES AND ASSETS Current Liabilities Accounts payable Accrued annual leave Deferred revenue Client deposits Total current liabilities Net Assets Unrestricted Temporarily restricted Total net assets Total liabilities and net assets $284,493 $908,887 $1,193,380 $1,418,675 $9,015 $65,243 $141,135 $9,902 $225,295

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Andersen Corporate Foundation

$2,500 and over

Hoover Penrod PLC

2009 DONORS
United Bank- Harrisonburg Robert S. Brock, Esq. John W. Sills III Esq. Robert M. Spiller, Jr., Esq. Parthemos & Bryant, P.C.

$1,000-$2,499
Frank S. Lucente

Timothy and Ruth Jost David & Helen Penrod Carolyn Perry, Esq. E. Eugene Gunter, Esq. Glenn M. Hodge, Esq.

Merck Charitable Foundation Cathy Jackson Leitner, Esq John and Cheryl Truban

Up to $499

Edward F. Greco, Esq.

The Honorable Norman Morrison Dr. Arthur J. Hamilton Grant D. Penrod, Esq. James Snyder, Esq. Hobert & Kerr, P.C. Brad & Amy Moyers

Vellines Cobbs Goodwin & Glass

Nina Jackson, in honor of Keith D. Parsons Douglas L. Guynn, Esq.

$500-$999

Larry Hoover, Esq.

Renae Reed Patrick, Esq.

The Honorable and Mrs. J. Gregory Mooney M. Steven Weaver, Esq. Muhlenburg Church
18

George H. Roberts, Jr., Esq.

Richard and Danna Faulds

Mark and Debbie Callahan

The Virginia Bar Association

pro-bono ATTORNEYS
Jeffery Adams Nate Adams, III Bruce Albertson James H. Allamong Charles R. Allen Danita S. Alt Marta Anderson J. Anderson Marta Anderson Kerry D. Armentrout Kelly C. Ashby S. Scott Baker Kieran Bartley William Beau Bassler Richard Baugh Michael D. Beckler Thomas G. Bell Peyton Biddle Bruce Billman Neil V. Birkhoff J. David Black Franklin Blatt Steven Blatt John T. Boitnott Bryan Bosta Darren Bostic Betzi Bostic W. Kent Bowers Boyce E. Brannock Wirt Brock Phillip E. Brown Lindsay Brubaker Beth Burgin F. Burgin Charles Butler Benjamin Byrd John G. Cadden Timothy C. Carwile Christen Church Leisa K. Ciaffone Michael A. Cleary James O. Clough Joseph Cockfield David Cohan Christopher E. Collins Lewis Conner Aaron Cook Dana R. Cormier, PLC Dana J. Cornett Hope Cothran Beth Coyne Cary Craig Roy V. Creasy John N. Crist Spencer Cross Timothy Cupp David Damico Bishop Dansby Lauren Darden Dale A. Davenport Lauren Davis Ronald W. Denney Correy Diviney Thomas Domonoske Arthur Donaldson Robert A. Downs James Drown Paul Dryer John Burns Earle III David Earman John Elledge III Lauren Ellerman Robyn Ellis John Eure Laura Evans Laura Evick Mark Feldmann Raphael E. Ferris Rosalie P. Fessier John P. Fishwick Russell A. Fowler Nancy Frank Humes J. Franklin III Christine Frentz Underwood Robert Garnett Alan F. Garrison Leah Gissy K. Wayne Glass James Glick Mary Ellen Goodlatte Travis Graham Aaron W. Graves Ann Green Christian Griffin Phillip Griffin, II Lindsay Grindo Gregory Habeeb Robert Hagan Robert F. Hahn Randall Hamilton Erin Hapgood W. Andrew Harding Douglas W. Harold Ross Hart John S. Hart Ross Hart David Hatmaker William L. Heartwell David Hensley Preston Hicks John Hill Charles Frank Hilton Michael Hobert Glenn Hodge Patice Holland John C. Holloran Mai-Linh Hong Isak Howell Lucy Ivanoff Sherwin Jacobs Robert Janney Macel Janoschka James Johnson Joshua Johnson Susan M. Johnson Linda S. Jones J. Jones Herb Karp

The person handling my case was very helpful, explained everything very well and was always nice and easy to talk to. She was a jewel. Harrisonburg resident
Attorneys Actively Assisting Clients through BRLSs Pro Bono Referral Program During 2009 19

pro bono attorneys CONTINUED

Larry Q. Kaylor Melissa Keen Sheila Keesee Neal Keesee Patrick Kelly Laura Keohane Webb King James Klenkar Alton L. Knighton John B. Krall A. Thomas Lane James R. Larrick, Jr. Eric Laurenzo Richard Lawrence C. Lynn Lawson Erin Layman Samuel Lazzaro Powell Leitch Cathy Leitner Cindy Lichtenstein William Lindsey Tate Love Jill Lowell David G. Ludwig Robert Lunger Bridget Madden Philip J. Markert David Martin William Maxwell Timothy M. Mayfield James D. Mayson David I. McCaskey David Meeks Michael J. Melkerson Philip Miller Bradley J. Moyers David Nahm Daniel Neher N. Douglas Noland Mark D. Obenshain Matthew Occhuizzo Kevin Oddo David ODonnell James OKeefe Judith C. Omslaer John ONeill-Castro L. Richard Padgett Wilson Pasley John Patterson Grant Penrod David A. Penrod Jacob Penrod Holly Peters Matthew Pritts Joseph Rainsbury Brandy Rapp Nancy Reed Todd C. Rhea Harry S. Rhodes Michael Richards Grant Richardson Kenneth Ries Michael Ritchie Roger Ritchie Sr. Jessica L. Robinson Brooke Rosen Dawn W. Ruple Victor M. Santos Daniel Sarrell Richard Scott David Sensenig George W. Shanks William E. Shmidheiser Laura Sigler M. Christopher Sigler Victor Skaff Mandi M. Smith Marilyn A. Solomon Jason Spitler William Stables Deanna Stone Robert Stone Phillip C. Stone, Jr. Leigh Strelka Thomas Strelka Arthur Strickland Stephen Strosnider Daniel Summerlin Matthew Sunderlin Lynn K. Suter Barry M. Tatel Colleen Taylor C. J. Steuart Thomas Lori Thompson Christopher Timmons Joshua Treece Eric Truban Deanna Tubandt Samuel F. Vance Lawrence P. Vance Joseph Vannoy Wilson Vellines Bruce Wallinger Jeff Ward William Watkins M. Steven Weaver Scott Webber Ellen Weinman James P. Weissenborn Hugh Wellons William G. Wentz Johneal White Angela Whitesell Maxwell Wiegard Spencer Wiegard Kimberly Wilkins Melvin Williams John Wirth Douglas C. Woodworth PC Clark Worthy Kathleen Wright Joshua Wykle P. Marshall Yoder Stephen Yost

The secretary attorney treated me with kindness and did everything to get the situation resolved. Thanks and God bless. Warren County resident

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Attorneys Actively Assisting Clients through BRLSs Pro Bono Referral Program During 2009

PROGRAM WIDE MANAGEMENT

John E. Whitfield Wanda Holsapple

our PEOPLE
HARRISONBURG OFFICE
Renae Patrick Betzi Bostic
Supervising Attorney

LEXINGTON OFFICE
Robin J. Mayer Shawna Cheney
Staff Attorney Managing Attorney

Executive Director/General Counsel

Program Administrator

WINCHESTER OFFICE
Anna Hammond Jennifer Locke
Staff Attorney Managing Attorney

Janet R. Ikenberry Vanessa Keasler

Staff Attorney Staff Attorney

Elderly Services Attorney

Referral Coordinator

Debbie Levonick Susan C. Proctor D. Ann Barlow Jean Shultz

Paralegal

Intake Paralegal/Secretary

Sarah M. Looney Anne See

ROANOKE OFFICE
Managing Attorney

Nora Mahoney

Anne Marie Mauldin

Domestic Violence Attorney

Referral Coordinator

Debbie Lanham

Domestic Violence Attorney

Elderly Services/Public Benefits Paralegal

Joan K. Thompson
Intake Paralegal

Referral Coordinator/Secretary

Courtney Sinnett Beth D. Wimer Liza Q. Wirtz

Secretary Staff Attorney Intake Paralegal

Sue OBryant Ann Hodges

Intake Paralegal

Intake Paralegal

Dathan J. Young
Staff Attorney

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board of DIRECTORS
DANA J. CORNETT, PRESIDENT Harrisonburg-Rockingham Bar Association Harrisonburg VA KIMBERLEE SHUBERT, VICE PRESIDENT Harmony Place Front Royal, VA DR. ARTHUR J. HAMILTON, SECRETARY/ TREASURER James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA JENNIFER BROWN Rockbridge Area Relief Association Fairfield, VA LEVANDA CRUMP Total Action Against Poverty, Inc. Roanoke, VA MARY L.C. DANIEL Clarke County Bar Association Winchester, VA B. WEBB KING Roanoke City Bar Association Roanoke, VA CAROLYN MADDEN PERRY Harrisonburg-Rockingham Bar Association Harrisonburg, VA HOLLY S. PETERS Total Action Against Poverty, Inc. Salem, VA GEORGE WARREN SHANKS Page County Bar Association Luray, VA EMILY ROWE SITZLER Bedford County Bar Association Bedford, VA

DONALD JACKSON ELLIS Rockbridge-Buena Vista Bar Association Lexington, VA

RENEE WARSING Harrisonburg-Rockingham Free Clinic Harrisonburg, VA DOUGLAS C. WOODWORTH Augusta County Bar Association Stuarts Draft, VA

JANET W. HAYES KATHLEEN L. WRIGHT Roanoke Redevelopment & Housing Authority Roanoke City Bar Association Roanoke, VA Roanoke, VA TONYA L. JANNEY Franklin County Bar Association Rocky Mount, VA

22

I was so impressed with the professionalism of the staff and lawyers. It made what I had to go through so much easier. Lexington resident

My lawyer was one of the nicest people I have ever met. Just remembering the kindness in his eyes has given me inner strength. Roanoke resident
Ellen Weiman was the reason my adoption was successful. Without her help we may have never been able to adopt our grandchildren and keep them safe. Roanoke resident

The outcome of my case was great; it changed my life in so many different ways. I thank my attorney, Kim Harding, for all her hard work, persistence and promptness. -Waynesboro resident