Alexander Volpicello
Alex Volpicello is the pro bono coordinator at Proskauer. He supports the global pro bono program with matter intake and management, litigation casework, training & event planning, and day-to-day administrative operations.
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In commemoration of Juneteenth 2021, Proskauer was honored to host Nikole Hannah-Jones, founder of The 1619 Project, as part of its A Path Forward lecture series and Collaborate for Change program. The discussion was moderated by Keisha-Ann Gray, a partner in the New York office, with support from Proskauer’s Black Lawyer Affinity Group. Hannah-Jones shared … Continue Reading
In a major victory for unhoused New Yorkers, the New York Court of Appeals recently adopted the analysis of an amicus brief that was filed by Proskauer on behalf of the Coalition for the Homeless. The amicus brief supported the City of New York’s defense of a proposed project to convert a midtown Manhattan hotel … Continue Reading
Due to COVID-19 court restrictions, there have been no adoption proceedings over the past 14 months in New York City, culminating in a backlog of children in need. Although these proceedings are not considered to be “emergencies,” the failure to facilitate permanency on such a wide scale, in fact, poses a threat to the health … Continue Reading
Proskauer was privileged to host a panel presentation with Her Justice this month to raise awareness of economic and legal obstacles facing women who are living in poverty in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel was moderated by Proskauer associate Elizabeth Siegel, a member of the Her Justice Junior Advisory Board, and … Continue Reading
When navigating routine experiences such as applying for jobs, traveling, accessing healthcare, and interacting with government agencies, many of us are able to present our identification documents or write down our legal names without a second thought. But for transgender individuals navigating these same spaces, having to use a legal name that is inconsistent with … Continue Reading
COVID-19 has been catastrophic for the wellbeing of low-income Americans, particularly in communities of color. The costs to health and human life have been devastating and the substantial collateral damage on the financial and social fabric of the country is expected to be felt into 2021 and beyond. One of this country’s leading hospitals, Mount … Continue Reading
Nearly half of the 20 million veterans in the United States use at least one government benefit or service offered by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (commonly known as the “VA”). Many of these veterans have developed mental and physical disabilities related to their service, and are entitled to compensation. However, despite the urgency to … Continue Reading
For the past 14 years, Proskauer has partnered with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in its Election Protection initiative, a nonpartisan project mobilizing law firms, law schools, in-house counsel, and other members of the legal community to ensure every vote is counted fairly and equally. Proskauer will again host a national call … Continue Reading
In 2018, Proskauer highlighted the importance of a New York law that gives those with criminal convictions an opportunity to build a better life. New York Crim. Proc. Law § 160.59 (“CPL 160.59”) allows persons convicted of certain crimes to apply for their criminal record to be sealed upon meeting two requirements: (1) at least … Continue Reading
Pervasive anti-LGBTQ violence around the world causes many individuals to flee their countries of origin in search of safety. The past few years have been tremendously difficult for immigrants of all walks of life, but especially so for LGBTQ and HIV-affected asylum applicants who have fled to the United States to seek refuge from persecution … Continue Reading
Through Proskauer’s partnership with the City Bar Justice Center and Lawyers for Good Government, we helped launch the nationwide COVID-19 Small Business Remote Legal Clinic to consult with small businesses across a range of pressing issues: contracts & force majeure, leases, insurance, and, of course, the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. One of the … Continue Reading
The New York Statewide Central Register (SCR) of Abuse and Maltreatment maintains records of calls, allegations, and results of investigations regarding suspected child abuse and maltreatment. Although these records are not public, many employers and agencies are legally obligated to check the database before hiring applicants and accepting volunteers. Having an “indicated” report on file … Continue Reading
With the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) finally receiving its 38th affirmative vote in January from the Virginia General Assembly and the resulting litigation to have the amendment added to the Constitution, it is worth revisiting the question that proponents and opponents alike have asked for nearly 100 years: why do we need the ERA? To … Continue Reading
Thanks to advances in technology, the fight for equal access to justice has the potential of making enormous strides. A great example is the project Proskauer helped spearhead with the nonprofit Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT), which is now connecting pro se litigants in family court throughout New York State with pro bono services … Continue Reading
Last month, the U.S. state with the highest rate of incarceration (in the country with the largest prison population) took steps to reduce its incarceration of non-violent offenders. Oklahoma’s Governor Kevin Stitt (Republican) commuted the sentences of over 500 inmates. All of these individuals were non-violent offenders with an average age of less than 40. … Continue Reading
Until recently, conventional wisdom among prosecutors dictated that long prison terms were vital to public safety. They took seriously the direction “to charge and pursue the most serious, readily provable offenses,” and measured success in terms of trial wins and convictions. Conventional wisdom, however, is changing from this purely punitive model as prosecutors are now … Continue Reading
On November 13 and 21, 2019, the New York State Assembly and Senate will hold joint hearings on the court simplification reforms proposed by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. The proposed amendment to the State Constitution would streamline the court system by: Consolidating New York’s 11 trial courts into three tiers: Supreme Court, Municipal Court, and … Continue Reading
The 1619 Project and a Path Forward to Racial Justice
By William C. Silverman, Alexander Volpicello and Edina Hartstein on Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Pro Bono
Protecting the Unhoused: Proskauer Files Amicus Brief on Behalf of the Coalition for the Homeless
By Michael A. Cardozo, Matthew J. Morris and Alexander Volpicello on Posted in Pro Bono
Caring about Caregivers: Facilitating Adoptions with Mobilization for Justice
By William C. Silverman, Alexander Volpicello and Na Hye Kim on Posted in Family Law, Pro Bono
Legal Obstacles to Women Living in Poverty During the Pandemic: A Conversation with Her Justice
By Erin Meyer, Alexander Volpicello and Na Hye Kim on Posted in Court Reform, Family Law, Pro Bono
Affirming Identity: Legal Name Changes for Transgender Immigrants
By Erin Meyer, Alexander Volpicello and Brandon Shi on Posted in Immigration, LGBT Civil Rights
Bloomberg and Proskauer Sponsor Equal Justice Works Fellow at Mount Sinai Medical Legal Partnership
By Alexander Volpicello and William C. Silverman on Posted in Healthcare, Pro Bono
It Is Time to Address the VA’s Enormous Backlog of Claims for Disability Benefits
Election Protection 2020: Preparing Voters for Election Day
By Seth Fiur, Jason S. Madden and Alexander Volpicello on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Pro Bono, Voting Rights
Ten Years for a Second Chance? New York’s Sealing Statute Lags Behind Other States
By Jon English and Alexander Volpicello on Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Pro Bono
Demanding Withdrawal of Proposed DHS Rule Harmful to LGBTQ and HIV-Affected Asylum Seekers
By Erin Meyer, Alexander Volpicello and Jennifer Qu on Posted in Human Rights, Immigration, LGBT Civil Rights, Pro Bono
Proskauer Helps Small Businesses Navigate Labor & Employment Law Issues through COVID-19 Crisis
By William C. Silverman and Alexander Volpicello on Posted in Pro Bono
Leveling the Legal Playing Field for Poor Families in Family Court
By William C. Silverman, Na Hye Kim and Alexander Volpicello on Posted in Family Law, Pro Bono
The Long Fight for the Equal Rights Amendment
By Elise Yablonski and Alexander Volpicello on Posted in Human Rights
Justice in the Internet Age: Legal Access for Rural Americans
By William C. Silverman and Alexander Volpicello on Posted in Pro Bono
Criminal Justice Reform in America: Shifting Attitudes on Incarceration
By William C. Silverman and Alexander Volpicello on Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Pro Bono
Criminal Justice Reform in America: Rethinking the Role of the Prosecutor
By William C. Silverman, Alexander Volpicello and Lillian Anderson on Posted in Criminal Justice Reform
NY State Legislature to Hold Hearings on Court Simplification
By William C. Silverman, Alexander Volpicello and Lillian Anderson on Posted in Court Reform