For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Justin Burke - 213.201.1525

EMAIL:jburke@apla.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2000

THE HIV & AIDS LEGAL SERVICES ALLIANCE (HALSA)
HONORS VOLUNTEERS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS

Los Angeles -- The HIV & AIDS Legal Services Alliance (HALSA) will honor six outstanding volunteers at a May event. HALSA, a collaborative effort of AIDS Project Los Angeles, LA Gay & Lesbian Center, AIDS Service Center, LA County Bar Association and Public Counsel, is comprised of 16 staff members and more than 300 lawyers, paralegals, law students and notaries who volunteer their time to provide free legal services to people living with HIV and AIDS.

"The commitment and tireless efforts of these individuals is to be commended," said Doreen Servati, HALSA Director. "Volunteers are the backbone of this program. Without their selfless dedication, the program would not be as strong as it is. This is truly a community effort."

Jon W. Davidson, Esq., Supervising Attorney for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Peter V. Lee, Esq., Executive Director for the Center for Health Care Rights and David I. Schulman, Esq., Supervising Attorney for the HIV/AIDS Discrimination Unit of the Special Operations Division for the City of Los Angeles, will each receive the HALSA Founders Distinguished Service Award for their roles as facilitators for the formation of HALSA. Stanton J. Price, Esq., Law Offices of Stanton J. Price will receive the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for providing more than 200 pro bono hours of legal services. Sheldon Schwartz, Referral Coordinator for UCLA Medical Group, will receive the Distinguished Volunteer Award for providing free notary services over the past five years and Sonya Schwartz will receive the Distinguished Pro Bono Student Award. Ms. Schwartz, a UCLA law student, has served as a HALSA volunteer for three years and created a clinical program comprised of UCLA law students who provide free legal services to people living with HIV and AIDS.

HALSA provides free assistance with Bankruptcy and Debtor/Creditor issues; Public Benefits (SSDI, SSI, Medi-Cal); Confidentiality (privacy and HIV testing); Discrimination; Employment Issues (access, reasonable accommodations); Housing (landlord/tenant issues); Immigration; Joint Guardianship and Adoptions; Tax Assistance; and Wills and Powers of Attorney to people living with HIV and AIDS.

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