KCBA’s Housing Justice Project celebrated its 10th anniversary at a February 7 reception sponsored by Perkins Coie.
The evening began with Commissioner Carlos Velategui presenting the 2008 HJP Visionary Award to Steve Fredrickson, a statewide advocacy coordinator at the Northwest Justice Project, for his ongoing dedication and support to low-income tenants in Washington. Commissioner Velategui spoke of Fredrickson’s ability to build positive relationships with everyone involved in HJP, including opposing counsel. He also elaborated on Fredrickson’s passion for justice and knowledge of housing law and pointed out that without Fredrickson’s vision HJP would not exist.
Val Carlson, director of KCBA’s pro bono programs, followed with a presentation to the five HJP volunteers who have been with HJP since day one. These HJP volunteers have survived everything from an earthquake to a sniper.
Harly Newsum has volunteered his time on 129 pro bono cases with KCBA since 1998, the majority through HJP. In addition to his scheduled days for appearance on the eviction calendar, he has filled in on short notice countless times. Hartley also has stayed on cases beyond the show cause hearing in order to achieve a settlement or represent the client at trial. One time he spent more than 30 hours on a favorable settlement for two severely disabled clients, who were asserting a constructive eviction defense due to mold.
Merf Ehman, HJP managing attorney, describes Hartley as a consummate attorney who is incredibly thorough in a fast-paced, stressful environment. He keeps clients focused by being very calm and methodical. One client said of Hartley, “I felt like I was his real client.” Hartley also has worked on guardianships, real property cases, estate planning and bankruptcies for VAPWA and Volunteer Legal Services (VLS).
Bob Anderton has volunteered on 115 cases since 1998, most of them through HJP, and he, too, has worked many hours beyond the show cause hearings on housing trials and cases from other KCBA programs and other organizations in the community.
Anderton brings an upbeat, positive and hopeful tone to his HJP work. He has a passion for justice that he brings to every case. Anderton’s easygoing manner helps clients relax. He also is a talented litigator, who has helped prevent homelessness for many tenants. In one case, Anderton obtained a settlement for a tenant who was being evicted for medical marijuana use, and he has helped others whose apartments had severe code violations.
Anderton describes his HJP work as “equalizing the playing field so that clients can communicate their interests effectively.”
David Meyer has volunteered his time on 142 pro bono cases with KCBA since 1998, the majority through HJP. He also has taken VLS foreclosure and predatory-lending cases, and recently kept some clients in their home through a 30-month long dispute with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Meyer is especially gifted at working with clients who have mental health issues. He will start out with an agitated client who comes in with a stack of papers in a crumpled paper bag and in less than 30 minutes ascertain the legal issues, develop a defense, focus the client and prevail at a hearing. Meyer is an excellent teacher and trainer for new volunteers. His professionalism and client counseling skills set a great example for the new attorneys he coaches.
Carl Palmer has volunteered his time on 113 pro bono cases with KCBA since 1998, the majority through HJP. He is fearless in litigation and a creative negotiator. He also takes the time to encourage and support new volunteers and assist them with their cases. Palmer’s breadth of experience on condo law, zoning and other real estate issues serves him well in analyzing complex cases and finding innovative solutions.
A former HJP coordinator remembers one day when Palmer tackled a case involving goats, blackberries, dogs and land-use issues, along with non-payment of rent, and pulled out a victory based on constructive eviction. Palmer is a regular volunteer with other KCBA programs. In a VLS case, he assisted an elderly couple whose health was being threatened by mold caused by faulty construction.
Larry Glosser has volunteered his time on 80 pro bono cases with KCBA since 1998, the majority through HJP. Ehman describes him as someone who never gives up. He brings his experience as an exceptional landlord’s attorney to HJP. He has a quick legal mind and a good sense of humor.
Glosser often follows up and stays on cases to ensure that justice is done. He has been a mainstay on HJP’s volunteer crew at the Regional Justice Center. Glosser credits his daughter with providing the impetus for helping those in need. He says that his best moments at HJP are when he wins a hearing or in some other way manages to help the clients.
HJP would like to thank all of the volunteer attorneys and legal assistants who help prevent homelessness one tenant at a time.
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