Jan 27, 2009
Hats off!
Greater Washington Chapter
Hundreds of individuals and companies gave of their time, talent and treasure to the Greater Washington Chapter in 2008 and were recognized for their contributions at the Chapter’s annual meeting earlier this fall.
Earning our thanks as Corporate Partners of the Year was a trio of firms that developed a new publication that will soon be available not just for our Chapter but across the nation. “Know Your Rights: A Legal Guide for People Living with Multiple Sclerosis” was a volunteer project of law firm Miller Nash LLP, advertising firm Copacino+Fujikado and the nonprofit public interest law center Washington Appleseed.
The Chapter’s Legal Assistance Task Force, established to explore legal resources for people living with MS, realized earlier this year that no comprehensive document existed to address the legal needs of those with MS.
“Clients were coming to us with needs that were not being met through community resources,” explains the Chapter’s Kristen Leighter. “One woman wasn’t able to park in front of the business where she worked. Another had to go up a set of stairs to get to her office and couldn’t convince her employer to make accommodations. Most issues were employment related, but we also heard from people with issues related to family law, disability law and other problems.”
Miller Nash provided legal interns to research the publication, Washington Appleseed recruited attorneys for writing and review, and Copacino+Fujikado designed the book.
With categories for employment, insurance, family law, SSDI and how to find a lawyer, the book is written in a Q-and-A format and includes form letters and lists of resources at the end of every chapter. State-specific information may be inserted into a pocket inside the back cover.
Read the publication online or call the Chapter at 1-800-344-4867 and press 1.
Others recognized for their 2008 accomplishments were:
- Todd Rauch, 2008 Walk MS individual top fundraiser
- Joe Piper, 2008 Bike MS Ride individual top fundraiser
- Janet Russell, 2008 volunteer of the year
- Marsha Baumann, 2008 dedicated service award
Representing the Chapter’s Corporate Partners of the Year are Marvin Stern, Executive Director, Washington Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest; Jim Copacino, Principal, Copacino+Fujikado; and Tom Olson, Partner, Miller Nash LLP.