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The Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) named Simpson Thacher attorneys Bryce Friedman, Peter Farag, Eleanor Shingleton and Eric Yang, as well as former colleague Jonathan Myers, to its 2021 Pro Bono Dean’s List. The team was recognized for handling multiple unemployment hearings for New Yorkers suffering devastating job losses due to the COVID pandemic, including three New York City public school substitute teachers who were told they were eligible, applied for, and received unemployment insurance benefits through the summer months. In Fall 2020, the New York State Department of Labor stated that the teachers should not have received those summer month benefits and asked the teachers to pay the benefits back, which most could not afford to do. The Firm won all three of those cases on behalf of these teacher-clients.

VOLS’ Pro Bono Dean’s List recognizes hardworking, dedicated attorneys who tirelessly serve New York City communities. VOLS was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1984, when New York City Bar leaders responded to federal government budget cuts to legal services. Today, VOLS harnesses the power of New York City’s legal community and neighborhood-based groups to provide free, civil legal services when and where they are needed most.

To view the full Dean’s List, please click here.