Greenberg Traurig Donates Services for Holocaust Survivor Estate Planning Clinics
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (PRWEB) May 20, 2016 -- International law firm Greenberg Traurig is hosting free Estate Planning Clinics for Holocaust survivors in conjunction with Dr. Stanley and Pearl Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward and Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services, Inc.
The first clinic was held Sunday, May 15 at the Goodman Jewish Family Service Center in Plantation. The second clinic will be held Tuesday, May 24 at Century Village in Boca Raton. Neither event is open to the public.
Greenberg Traurig attorneys from the Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and Miami are providing pro bono legal services and helping the Holocaust survivors prepare estate planning documents, including wills, health care advance directives, and durable powers of attorney. The event, organized by Fort Lauderdale Trusts & Estates Shareholder Parker F. Taylor, is part of an ongoing program of clinics for Holocaust survivors that the firm continues to host throughout South Florida.
“In keeping with Greenberg Traurig’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the community, we are proud to provide pro bono estate planning clinics to help some of our community’s most vulnerable members – Holocaust survivors,” Taylor said. “There is a serious need to help aging Holocaust survivors assemble the critical legal documents they need to legally protect their estates and we are proud to offer our legal support.”
Other Greenberg Traurig attorneys participating in the program include: Miami Trusts & Estates Associate Benjamin Babcock, Fort Lauderdale Tax Associate Jared S. Baumwell, Fort Lauderdale Trusts & Estates Resident Attorney Eun K. Chan, Fort Lauderdale Corporate & Securities Resident Attorney Elizaveta E. Ivanova, Fort Lauderdale Litigation Shareholder Sara Levy, Boca Raton Litigation Shareholder and Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services Board Member Stephen A. Mendelsohn, Fort Lauderdale Litigation Associate Richard B. Rosengarten and Fort Lauderdale Litigation Shareholder Caran Rothchild.
“Goodman JFS is very grateful for Greenberg Traurig’s support, helping to meet the needs of the survivors in the community during this stage in their life,’’ said Elizabeth Sumpf, licensed clinical social worker with Goodman JFS. “Without the support of Greenberg Traurig we would be unable to help survivors complete their end of life directives and ensure their wishes are carried out after they are gone.”
“Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services is proud to support this clinic and we thank the Greenberg Traurig attorneys for donating their time to our clients,” said Danielle Hartman, President & CEO of Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services.
In addition to the estate planning clinic, Greenberg Traurig has hosted other pro bono clinics in recent years for Holocaust survivors. Between 2008 and 2010, more than 40 Greenberg Traurig attorneys from six offices provided legal services to more than 100 Holocaust survivors, allowing them to begin receiving reparations from the German government. It’s estimated that there are close to 130,000 Holocaust survivors in the U.S. and 30 percent are living at or below the poverty line – which is three times the poverty rate for most older Americans.
Organizations in South Florida interested in scheduling Holocaust Survivor Estate Planning Clinics with Greenberg Traurig should contact Dawn R. Wolf, Pro Bono Coordinator, at 202-530-8545 or wolfda(at)gtlaw.com.
About Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, multi-practice law firm with approximately 1,900 attorneys serving clients from 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm is No. 1 on the 2015 Law360 Most Charitable Firms list, third largest in the U.S. on the 2015 Law360 400, on the 2015 Am Law Global 100, and among the 2015 BTI Brand Elite. More information at: http://www.gtlaw.com.
About Dr. Stanley & Pearl Goodman Jewish Family Services
Founded in 1962, Goodman JFS has been serving Broward County for more than 54 years. We enrich the community by providing exceptional social services individuals who have no voice regardless of race, religion, or creed. Our mission is to cure social ills through life's toughest challenges by providing assistance to those in dire need. GJFS offers hope and dignity to people who are in need of physically, emotionally, or financially assistance. For more information, please visit http://www.jfsbroward.org
About Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services
Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services (JFS) provides help, hope and humanity through a comprehensive range of programs and services which support people of all ages and beliefs. With locations in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, JFS programs and services include food and financial assistance, senior services, counseling and mental health, career and employment services and many volunteer opportunities. Funding is provided by private and corporate support, grants, special events and individuals who reach thousands in need each year. Learn more at ralesjfs.org.
Elaine Walker, Greenberg Traurig, http://www.gtlaw.com, +1 305.579.0832, [email protected]
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