We are pleased to announce Neal, Gerber, & Eisenberg (NGE) will take home the 2022 Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award at our 40th Anniversary Celebration on October 13th, 2022. Unlike previous winners, we recognize NGE for providing excellent pro bono representation for our organization in 2021.
In the fall of 2020, Brenda, a postal worker and a single mother of two young children, was duped into signing a lease with someone who falsely claimed to be a landlord. The property was actually a bank-owned unit recently in foreclosure. When the bank learned Brenda was living there, they tried to evict her. Brenda, who was unrepresented at the time, believed she had no recourse based on conversations with the opposing counsel, and “agreed” to an eviction order.
Our attorneys agreed to take Brenda’s case and moved to vacate the order, based in part on the conversations that occurred between the client and opposing counsel. The trial court refused to vacate the order and imposed sanctions on our attorneys, stating we improperly relied on our client’s description of the conversation. This ruling, if allowed to stand, would create a chilling effect across many legal aid organizations advocating for low-income clients.
Partner and Co-chair of the Litigation Practice Group H. Nicolas (Nick) Berberian, Senior Counsel Tina L. Winer, and Associate Daniel M. Terhune at NGE appealed the sanctions on LCBH’s behalf. NGE’s attorneys won the appeal, securing a favorable opinion.
According to Nick, “The Appellate Court, in reversing those sanctions, issued a lengthy decision that fully vindicates the actions the LCBH attorneys took and preserves the right to provide zealous legal representation to all those who otherwise would have no representation at all.”
NGE’s pro bono service not only removed sanctions on LCBH, but also paved the way for continued and dedicated representation for renters by our attorneys and at other legal aid organizations, benefiting future tenants in eviction court. For this work, we can think of no other people more deserving of this year’s award.
Join us in congratulating Nick, Tina, Dan, and others on the NGE team, at our 40th Anniversary Celebration on October 13th, 2022. Buy tickets here.