Pro Bono Attorney Recognized For Outstanding Service

 

On January 17, 2019 Philip L. Tumbaga, Esq., of Bath, New York, was honored at the 18th Annual Justice for All Luncheon at the New York State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City, which celebrates the pro bono contributions of the 2018 Empire State Counsel. Mr. Tumbaga was recognized for his outstanding pro bono efforts on behalf of the clients of Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. Joining Mr. Tumbaga and his wife at the luncheon were Kelly McGovern, LawNY® Director of Pro Bono Affairs, Amy Christensen, LawNY® Deputy Director, and Ken Perri, LawNY® Executive Director.

In 2018, Mr. Tumbaga worked on 44 LawNY® client cases in rural Steuben and Allegany counties, meeting with some clients in their home or hospital room. He also participated in LawNY® legal clinics for veterans and transgender community members.

Prior to his work with LawNY®, Mr. Tumbaga participated in the New York State Bar Association’s Bridge-the-Gap program, which offers training and CLE credits to newly admitted attorneys in exchange for pro bono services. Mr. Tumbaga volunteered in Kings and Bronx counties, helping clients at uncontested divorce clinics and with consumer debt issues.

The importance of aiding “people in tough situations for whom acquiring paid legal representation isn’t an option” has been with Mr. Tumbaga since before his time at William S. Richardson School of Law. Says Mr. Tumbaga, “my education taught me the importance of giving back to the community that got me there in the first place.” Mr. Tumbaga states that “seeing the huge need and feeling an incredible amount of undeserved gratitude from clients there really cemented my desire to make sure I was setting aside time to do pro bono work. So when I got home I went to the local court and looked for ways to volunteer and found that LawNY® flyer. And I’ve been helping whenever LawNY® emails me ever since.”

Ashley Tompkins, LawNY® Staff Paralegal has been coordinating services to LawNY® clients through the LawNY® Pro Bono program and says “Philip Tumbaga is a pleasure to work with and his continued pro bono service is not only a credit to his character, but has improved the lives of many low-income individuals, who greatly needed legal services. I look forward to continued collaboration with Mr. Tumbaga in the future." We thank Mr. Tumbaga for his dedication to pro bono work and assistance to LawNY® clients!

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