“I think that sometimes the rules are stacked against people, and it’s just a matter of untangling the web of requirements to understand what needs to be done. Being able to support somebody in trying to work through that is very rewarding.” – Nora Marantz, Corporate Counsel, Liberty Mutual Legal Department
Marantz, and Kathleen Brekka
Liberty Mutual attorneys Nora Marantz, Oh Sung Kwon, and Kathleen Brekka first met Jorge* in the summer of 2015 at a Legal Clinic for the Homeless at St. Francis House.
Jorge was living at the Shattuck Shelter in Jamaica Plain and had a job at a local grocery store, but could not afford an apartment of his own. He had previously applied for housing with the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), but his application had been denied after he was unable to provide the BHA with a recommendation from a past landlord.
After some research, and based on Jorge’s specific situation, the Liberty team decided the best course of action would be to file a new application. Nora, Jorge, and a case manager then attended an in-person interview with the BHA, where they were asked to collect more supporting documentation. The team compiled character references from Jorge’s case managers and a member of his church and had Jorge sign an affidavit attesting to his past tenant history.
The BHA approved Jorge’s new application in February 2016 and he was able to move into a one-bedroom apartment that March.
Nora, Oh Sung, and Kathleen extend their thanks to Shirly Ferreras, a legal secretary at Liberty Mutual, for assistance with Spanish language interpretation and translation during their meetings with Jorge, and to Kathleen McGrath, an attorney and pro bono coordinator in the Liberty Mutual Legal Department, for her advice and encouragement.
*Client’s name has been changed to protect privacy.
