Supporting a
Holistic Approach
to Health Care
Pro Bono Team
mintz
pro bono portfolio
//
2022
Banding Together to Combat Opioid and Substance Abuse
To address this public health crisis, Mass General Brigham (MGB) and other private-sector and health organizations banded together to form the nonprofit RIZE Massachusetts. This coordinated approach evolved into a public-private partnership with a central role in combatting opioid and other substance use disorders across the state. Within a few years, the state tapped RIZE to distribute state funding for opioid programs. The five-year-old organization also funds research to expand knowledge of opioid use and addiction and brings together stakeholders to develop comprehensive, coordinated solutions to the crisis.
RIZE’s efforts were helping to reverse the tide of opioid-related overdose deaths in the state until, unfortunately, disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic started driving overdose numbers back up. But, through its multifaceted approach and extensive reach, RIZE is helping to counter that trend. To date, RIZE has granted over $10 million to more than 80 community organizations across the state. And it helps fund innovative programs, such as cash incentives for used syringe buybacks.
Chronicling a Long Medical Struggle
Jean played the lead role in submitting a Request for Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), along with supporting documentation on Lisa’s education, employment history, and medical history. When the hearing was scheduled, Mintz submitted a letter brief outlining the client’s experience with endometriosis and more than 300 pages of medical records. Project Analyst Emily Ndiokho worked behind the scenes to track down medical records and documentation. Mintz attorney Samantha Kingsbury supervised the case, reviewing the brief and offering strategic guidance.
At Lisa’s hearing in August 2022, Jean appeared before the ALJ and helped her client present a case focused on convincing the judge that even though endometriosis is not on the SSA Disability Evaluation Under Social Security listing of impairments considered severe enough to prevent someone from working, known as the Blue Book, Lisa’s condition rendered her “disabled” as the SSA defines it.
Building a Solid Organizational Foundation
Early on, Mintz attorney Susan Weller helped identify and avoid trademark issues associated with potential names using variations of the word “rise.” Cassie and Steve then assisted with arrangements for an existing nonprofit to act as RIZE’s fiscal agent on an interim basis, enabling donors to take tax deductions for their contributions months before the IRS designated RIZE a 501(c)(3) organization. They also worked to structure an unusual arrangement allowing MGB to handle RIZE’s human resources functions, which streamlines costs and enables the small organization to offer significant benefits to employees.
Securing a Groundbreaking Disability Benefits Decision
In October 2022, the team learned that Lisa had received a fully favorable decision awarding her disability payments and, remarkably, retroactive benefits. Although the case was an uphill battle due to a lack of knowledge about severe endometriosis and because the agency doesn’t categorize the condition as a disability, the judge found that Lisa has been disabled since the date her initial application was filed in August 2021. When telling Jean of the favorable decision, Lisa said she was happier than she’d been in a
long time.
View the 2021 Pro Bono Journal
Transcending
View the 2020 Pro Bono Journal
Resilience
© 2022 Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo. P.C.
Share to Social:
Collaborating to Improve
Lives and Communities
Pro bono service is at the heart of Mintz's culture and identity. Together, we provide individuals with life-changing assistance and support the nonprofit organizations that care for our communities.
Learn More
julie burns
President & CEO of RIZE Massachusetts
RIZE's Work:
Large and small individual grants and multiyear grants aimed at discovering best practices and then scaling and replicating them.
Grantmaking:
Underwriting studies and white papers to elevate the debate and expand knowledge about the overdose crisis.
funding of research:
Convening stakeholders across the care continuum to look for actionable solutions to end the opioid crisis.
learning hub:
Volunteer Spotlights
I went into health care law because I wanted to help individuals who were suffering from behavioral health issues and substance use disorder issues. To be able to work with an organization whose entire mission is based around helping this population feels like I’m living my pre–law school dream.
Associate
Jean D. Krebs
Emily ndiokho
Project Analyst
Samantha p. kingsbury
Of Counsel and Supervising Attorney
jean d. krebs
Associate and Lead Attorney
Associate
jean d. krebs
Having a partnership with Mintz is enormously helpful. They understand the law, they understand the nonprofit community, and they know the political and social environment in which we’re working. That extraordinary knowledge of our challenges really helps us do things we could never do on our own.
Cassie Paolillo
Stephen Weiner
Susan Weller
© 2022 Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
All Rights Reserved.
View the 2021 Pro Bono Journal
Transcending
Collaborating to Improve Lives and Communities
Pro bono service is at the heart of Mintz's culture and identity. Together, we provide individuals with life-changing assistance and support the nonprofit organizations that care for our communities.
Learn More
mintz
pro bono portfolio
//
2022
Supporting
a Holistic Approach to Healthcare
When her endometriosis began spreading from her reproductive to her digestive system, “Lisa” experienced frequent flares of severe pain and gastrointestinal complications. Although she is in her late thirties, she has been unable to work for several years due to the physical debilitation, anxiety, and depression caused by her condition. In August 2021, she applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). After she was denied benefits and lost her first appeal, she sought help from the Hofstra | Northwell Medical Legal Partnership (MLP), through which Hofstra Law School, law firms, and other legal entities provide pro bono legal services to underserved patients of Northwell Health in New York City and Long Island.
Pro Bono Team
Emily ndiokho
Project Analyst
Samantha p. Kingsbury
Of Counsel and Supervising Attorney
jean d. krebs
Associate and a Lead Attorney
When her endometriosis began spreading from her reproductive to her digestive system, “Lisa” experienced frequent flares of severe pain and gastrointestinal complications. Although she is in her late thirties, she has been unable to work for several years due to the physical debilitation, anxiety, and depression caused by her condition. In August 2021, she applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). After she was denied benefits and lost her first appeal, she sought help from the Hofstra | Northwell Medical Legal Partnership (MLP), through which Hofstra Law School, law firms, and other legal entities provide pro bono legal services to underserved patients of Northwell Health in New York City and Long Island.
“The partnership between physicians and attorneys through the Hofstra | Northwell MLP
provides a valuable way of tackling health problems in a holistic manner,” Jean said.
Jean played the lead role in submitting a Request for Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), along with supporting documentation on Lisa’s education, employment history, and medical history. When the hearing was scheduled, Mintz submitted a letter brief outlining the client’s experience with endometriosis and more than 300 pages of medical records. Project Analyst Emily Ndiokho worked behind the scenes to track down medical records and documentation. Mintz attorney Samantha Kingsbury supervised the case, reviewing the brief and offering strategic guidance.
At Lisa’s hearing in August 2022, Jean appeared before the ALJ and helped her client present a case focused on convincing the judge that even though endometriosis is not on the SSA Disability Evaluation Under Social Security listing of impairments considered severe enough to prevent someone from working, known as the Blue Book, Lisa’s condition rendered her “disabled” as the SSA defines it.
“The most rewarding aspect of this case was helping Lisa tell her story to the judge. The experience of testifying was so empowering for Lisa, and receiving a fully favorable decision is the best outcome we could have hoped for,” Jean said.
The firm’s work for Lisa and for the Hofstra | Northwell MLP showcases its commitment to helping pro bono clients address the full spectrum of their needs.
“When Mintz joined our MLP, it proved that as a firm, it understands that health-harming legal needs affect the health of the underserved, and as attorneys, we must have a share in improving the lives of others,” said Kerlann Flowers, the legal director and senior attorney for the Hofstra | Northwell Medical Legal Partnership.
Providing Critical Legal and Medical Services
Chronicling a Long Medical Struggle
Securing a Groundbreaking Disability Benefits Decision
Commitment to Addressing the Full Spectrum of Client Needs
The partnership between Northwell Health, a nonprofit health care network, and the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University takes a holistic approach in addressing legal issues that can significantly harm the health of low-income and other vulnerable patients. Through the partnership, volunteer attorneys and Hofstra Law School students represent clients in eviction and other housing litigation, benefits cases, employment disputes, immigration petitions and cases, and a range of legal matters involving personal issues like domestic violence and guardianship.
In October 2022, the team learned that Lisa had received a fully favorable decision awarding her disability payments and, remarkably, retroactive benefits. Although the case was an uphill battle due to a lack of knowledge about severe endometriosis and because the agency doesn’t categorize the condition as a disability, the judge found that Lisa has been disabled since the date her initial application was filed in August 2021. When telling Jean of the favorable decision, Lisa said she was happier than she’d been in a long time.
Mintz attorney Jean Krebs was a law student working in the MLP when she attended Hofstra Law School, and she mentioned it during her first conversation with Sue Finegan, Chair of Mintz’s Pro Bono Committee. Sue was enthusiastic about pursuing a collaboration with the partnership, and the firm took on Lisa’s case as a pilot.
It was incredibly meaningful for me that my first pro bono matter at Mintz was with the MLP. I’ve been with the firm for a year now, and it is amazing to witness the firm’s commitment to pro bono and how our work can truly impact people’s lives.
If it wasn’t for our support in this particular case, I do think our client would have faced further denials of assistance for a very serious disabling event. It’s both insightful and frustrating to see how disabilities are often misunderstood.
Project Analyst
emily ndiokho
Endometriosis is not considered to be a traditional disability. Our team did a great job really wrapping their arms around that aspect of this case and tying that together with the really severe mental health impact this medical condition has had on our client.
Of Counsel
samantha p. kingsbury
Jean Krebs
Samantha Kingsbury
Jean Krebs
“The partnership between physicians and attorneys through the Hofstra | Northwell MLP provides a valuable way of tackling health problems in a holistic manner,” Jean said.
Samantha Kingsbury
“The most rewarding aspect of this case was helping Lisa tell her story to the judge. The experience of testifying was so empowering for Lisa, and receiving a fully favorable decision is the best outcome we could have hoped for,” Jean said.
The firm’s work for Lisa and for the Hofstra | Northwell MLP showcases its commitment to helping pro bono clients address the full spectrum of their needs.
“When Mintz joined our MLP, it proved that as a firm, it understands that health-harming legal needs affect the health of the underserved, and as attorneys, we must have a share in improving the lives of others,” said Kerlann Flowers, the legal director and senior attorney for the Hofstra | Northwell Medical Legal Partnership.
Commitment to Addressing the Full Spectrum of
Client Needs
It was incredibly meaningful for me that my first pro bono matter at Mintz was with the MLP. I’ve been with the firm for a year now, and it is amazing to witness the firm’s commitment to pro bono and how our work can truly impact people’s lives.
Project Analyst
emily ndiokho
If it wasn’t for our support in this particular case, I do think our client would have faced further denials of assistance for a very serious disabling event. It’s both insightful and frustrating to see how disabilities are often misunderstood.
Of Counsel
Samantha P. Kingsbury