Jami Fiorito, Kinship Care Solutions Project
By Paul McVicker, KCBA Managing Staff Attorney
Jami Fiorito heard about our Kinship Care Solutions Project while volunteering with the KCBA Neighborhood Legal Clinics. Jami doesn’t shy away from a challenge.
What came next revealed her aptitude for litigation — and her deep commitment to pro bono service.
Jami is a commercial attorney for Protecht Group and concentrates on contracts and legal risk management. She was without experience in litigation or court proceedings and took an uncontested, agreed guardianship case, but one that required our interpretation services to communicate with the client.
For some years, our client had been the primary custodian and caretaker of her 5-year-old granddaughter, who was autistic with special needs. Expecting the matter to proceed normally, Jami communicated with the client and prepared the documents to open the case. However, on the eve of filing, it became contested.
While on a visit with the child, the mother refused to return her and took off without further contact. Jami swung into action with a Motion for Immediate Order, and the potential for a follow-up motion for habeas corpus.
What was expected to be a routine, uncontested case turned out to be a contested matter heading to trial. With court action, Jami secured the return of the child to her grandmother’s care. A guardian ad litem for the child was appointed, as was an attorney for the mother. The father consented to the guardianship.
Multiple issues needed to be addressed prior to trial, discovery was commenced, motions were heard, and trial preparations began.
Jami presented a settlement offer prior to completion of the guardian-
ad-litem report. With minor modifications prompted by the guardian ad litem, the offer was accepted and the case was settled a matter of weeks before the scheduled trial.
Jami went far above and beyond what was expected when she volunteered and took the case. Treading into new waters in contested litigation, she brought the case to a successful conclusion for our client and her granddaughter.
After the case concluded, Jami commented, “I was so gratified to be able to help this family. The client clearly had no understanding of court proceedings and would not have been able to conduct the case on her own, especially with the language barrier.
“It was eye-opening to see the impact completing the guardianship had for this family and what a difference it made for everyone, including the mom. With our help, the client was able to protect her granddaughter and provide needed care, support, therapy, and ongoing medical services in a nurturing home. She was so grateful and appreciative.
“The impact we were able to make and the overwhelming gratitude for our help was immensely rewarding.”
To find out more about volunteering for the Kinship Care Solutions Project, contact Paul McVicker at paulm@kcba.org.
