Say Yes enjoys several fruitful partnerships with organizations in the community. One of them is international law firm Bingham McCutchen, which offers pro bono legal services to the Harlem Chapter of Say Yes.

The idea for offering pro bono services to Say Yes came from Bingham partner Robert Dombroff, who has handled litigation for founder George Weiss’ Hartford-based firm, as well as matters for Mr. Weiss’ foundation. In 2004, when Mr. Dombroff became managing partner of Bingham’s New York office, he wanted a way to demonstrate his firm’s commitment to New York. He realized that one thing Say Yes’ New York operation was lacking was legal support.

Mr. Weiss readily accepted Mr. Dombroff’s offer, on three conditions: 1) Bingham would have to commit to the Say Yes children and their families at least as long as they made it through high school; 2) services would also have to extend to all family members of Say Yes students, due to the organization’s belief that supporting the child involves supporting the child’s family; and 3) Mr. Weiss insisted that Bingham lawyers would have to go to the school to interact with their clients, rather than expect them to come to their Park Avenue offices.

With all three requirements fulfilled, Bingham McCutchen has been generously providing help to Say Yes children and their families. Recently, for instance, a Say Yes mother showed up during office hours distraught after postponing for weeks her reply to her landlord’s bogus claim for $6,000. “I made three calls, and the guy withdrew his complaint,” says Jaimie Fried Dockray, who was hired as Bingham’s Say Yes managing director. “[The client] almost couldn’t believe that this problem that had nearly destroyed her life for six weeks was gone in just one afternoon.”

Another successful case involved a client who was being sued for nonpayment of rent. The client explained that she withheld rent only after her landlord ignored her pleas over the course of several months to repair a leaking ceiling. A Bingham counsel brought in city inspectors who cited electrical hazards and exposed lead paint, among other violations. He then countersued for “breach of warranty of habitability” and within two weeks had negotiated a resolution.

Say Yes is immensely grateful to Bingham McCutchen for all their work on behalf of Say Yes – they are making a tremendous difference in the lives of Say Yes students and their families.

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