“As a lawyer, I believe I have an obligation to help people who can’t afford legal services. When I was in law school, I worked in the public defender’s office and I saw the need for it, and saw how people appreciated the help you gave them and appreciated you talking to them and treating them as human beings […] My colleagues also really enjoy doing this work as well, and they get a lot out of it. Lawyers Clearinghouse makes it easy to perform pro bono.” – Robert Brunelli, Vice President, Litigation Manager & Assistant General Counsel, FM Global
Clearinghouse volunteer Robert Brunelli, Litigation Division Manager and Assistant General Counsel at FM Global, first met William* at one of the Clearinghouse’s Legal Clinics for the Homeless at Metro Housing|Boston.
William was homeless and using shelter services while undergoing liver treatments at a local medical center. His application for Section 8 housing had recently been rejected due to his criminal record, and he was seeking assistance appealing to the housing authority.
Robert submitted a brief challenging the denial and then accompanied William and one of William’s medical caseworkers to a hearing to argue on William’s behalf. At the hearing, William’s caseworker provided copies of William’s medical history and she and Robert explained that denying William housing would ultimately be a death sentence due to William’s health condition and his need for a safe, clean place to live while he awaited a liver transplant.
Following the hearing, Robert submitted a post-hearing brief reiterating how important it was for William to receive housing assistance. A few weeks later, William received notice that the housing authority had reversed its initial decision and moved him to the top of the housing waitlist.
In the spring of 2020, William moved into a one-bedroom apartment. He is doing well and can now live comfortably and focus on his medical needs.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
