MEETING - Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County

from the president
Dear Friends,
A powerful energy is created when individuals and community partners work together to meet
a common goal — needs are met and lives are changed. I am proud of the integral role the Legal
Aid Society of San Mateo County continues to play, ensuring that vulnerable and low-income
children, families and seniors living in our County are represented at all levels. Whether our staff
provided direct legal services to our clients or advocated to make systemic changes on behalf
of many; whether we provided educational outreach and training to government and non-profit
employees to identify and resolve legal issues before they become deeper problems; or whether
a volunteer became part of a Legal Aid program and offered his or her services — Legal Aid was there.
Last year our attorneys opened nearly 3,000 case files. It was also an incredible year of
pro bono service. In fact, nearly 400 attorneys volunteered over 13,000 hours providing
legal representation to those in need. These talented attorneys joined together to provide
urgent legal assistance at housing clinics, share-of-cost clinics, IEP hearings in local
schools, and at domestic violence restraining order hearings and guardianship hearings
at the San Mateo County Superior Court. Thank you all for your continued commitment
to vulnerable and low-income people living in our community.
1
“I believe in the powerful
energy that is created
when we work together;
needs are met and lives
are changed.”
One pro bono case received well-deserved attention from the State Bar of California and from the press. Niki Okcu, of
Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP, and her team, fought a complicated financial elder abuse case on behalf of a Legal Aid
client, Pauline Reade, for over two years. Pauline had been tricked by a scam artist handyman into signing a mortgage
against her home. She came to Legal Aid after she received an eviction notice. The case involved multiple parties
including an accountant, numerous banks, and mortgage lenders. In January of this year, an historic settlement was
reached. Thanks to Niki and her team, the deed to Mrs. Reade’s home was restored to her. The State Bar of California
recognized this remarkable work and, in September, presented the Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP team with its
President’s Pro Bono Service Award.
Last year, Legal Aid staff worked harder than ever to build on relationships with other service providers so that we
could meet the needs of the community together. Our attorneys were called upon to provide educational training to
government employees on the issues and legal rights of our clients in order to identify and resolve issues before they
become systemic problems. Our attorneys were appointed by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to serve
on the Community Health Reform Advocacy Committee, and we worked with the Children’s Health Initiative and the
Health Plan of San Mateo in preparation for the new Low Income Health Program that is being implemented for the
Medi-Cal Expansion population. And, through numerous seminars at community centers throughout the County,
our Senior Advocates Program educated hundreds of our community’s seniors on how to spot scam artists.
In the coming year, Legal Aid’s Board of Directors and I remain steadfast in our commitment to being leaders, planners,
stewards, fundraisers, and partners so this vital community organization can continue its 53 year old heritage of
providing high quality legal services. Therefore, this year’s strategic planning process includes input from a wide