About Liz

Elizabeth Kasulis Padilla, a graduate of Cornell Law School, joined the Volunteer Lawyers Project as a Pro Bono Coordinator/Staff Attorney in December 2004 with the goal of helping those less fortunate than herself. Liz approached each day with excitement, eagerly seeking opportunities to give back to her community, especially to those most in need of a helping hand.

In the early summer of 2005 Liz, a competitive runner, was planning a 5k Race to benefit the VLP as a unique way of joining two of her favorite activities. On Thursday, June 9th, 2005, Liz was tragically killed in a road accident when she was biking to work. Her absence continues to weigh heavily on those who knew and loved her, yet she continues to inspire us. This race is dedicated to honoring her legacy of kindness and generosity.

About The VLP

The Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. (the “VLP”) is committed to the principle that the legal system must be accessible to everyone if it is to succeed. Since 1990, the VLP has been addressing the unmet legal needs of the poorest residents of Brooklyn. It remains the only free legal services program that operates boroughwide, offering pro bono representation to all Brooklyn residents, including those who are not eligible for or who cannot be served by staffed legal services organizations.

While uniquely rich in diversity, Brooklyn also has the largest indigent population in NYS, with over 600,000 people living in poverty. Consequently, problems such as elder fraud and abuse, family disputes, and crippling debt, prevalent in poor communities, are endemic in Brooklyn. The VLP volunteer lawyers, recruited from the private bar and trained and supported by VLP mentors, attack these problems through the legal system to help impoverished clients regain dignity and control over their lives.

Since its inception, the VLP has provided legal assistance to thousands of people who would not otherwise have had their rights protected or their voices heard.