2012-08-09T09:38:46-05:00 2011-12-31 271895149 Heveron & Heveron CPAs 260 Plymouth Avenue South Rochester NY 14608 990 2011-01-01 161487925 Empire Justice Center EMPI 5854544060 1 West Main Street No 200 Rochester NY 14614 Darlene Roloson 5854544060 2012-08-06 1 Stephanie Annunziata P00195472 5852322956 2011 2016-02-24 21:20:13Z Darlene Roloson 1 West Main Street No 200 Rochester NY 14614 4949461 0 X www.empirejustice.org X 1995 NY Empire Justice is a statewide organization working to improve civil justice in NY (See Sch.O)The Empire Justice Center is a statewide multi-issue, multi-strategy organization focused on changing the systems within which poor and low income families live. Empire Justice provides legal assistance to those in need, offers training and support to community-based organizations, and works to improve programs and services for those in need. 13 13 72 501 0 0 895893 652744 4802905 4295506 1130 1211 0 0 5699928 4949461 0 0 0 0 3429780 3571965 0 0 0 1518696 1803512 4948476 5375477 751452 -426016 2293512 1963930 798771 895205 1494741 1068725 X To protect and strengthen the legal rights of people in New York State who are poor, disabled or disenfranchised through: systems change advocacy, training and suppport to other advocates and organizations, and high quality direct civil legal representation. 0 0 1033120 1033120 Disability Benefits: Empire Justice contracts with New York State to provide legal assistance to individuals in Western New York who have been inappropriately denied or terminated from federal disability and supplemental security income programs. In 2011, Empire Justice administered sub-contracts with three legal services programs to provide these regional services. In 2011, 735 cases were closed in the region, generating approximately $4.3 million in benefits to clients and an additional $1.2 million in federal payments to state and local government. In 2011, the Western New York DAP, Empire Justice Center and all subcontractors won 82% of cases. (Continued on Schedule O)Empire Justice also contracts with the state under this Disability Advocacy Program to provide statewide training, support and technical assistance to local grantees. 1198329 1120397 Foreclosure Prevention: Empire Justice provided direct services to 231 homeowners in the Greater Rochester area who were victims of predatory lending and/or who were at risk of foreclosure during 2011. The foreclosure prevention work of Empire Justice Center achieved restructuring and refinancing of predatory loans for 70 families, saving each of them tens of thousands of dollars - often between $50,000 and $100,000 - over the life of their loans, more than $1.8 million in 2011. Empire Justice also provides statewide training for members of the private bar, staff of legal services organizations and other community-based organizations assisting homeowners at risk of foreclosure. 700094 1151802 Other/General: These funds were used to fulfill the core mission of Empire Justice Center. In calendar year 2011, the organization offered 100 training events, issuing 895 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits and reaching over 3,460 participants. Training topics included Access to Health Coverage, Understanding Medical Law, Legal Issues for Children Needing Special Education, Understanding Medicare Part D, Legal Issues Confronting Those Living with HIV/AIDS, Legal Issues Confronting Immigrants, Language Access and the Implications for Public Benefit Programs, Access to Food Stamps, and Disability Law as it Impacts Children. (Continued on Schedule O)The Empire Justice website, with a vast array of legal resources, saw 4.40 million "hits" during 2011, an average of 12,009 per day; the web had 129,858 visitors who viewed 3,472,751 pages of material. Empire Justice staff closed 1,639 cases impacting 3,622 people. This work resulted in over $27 million in client benefits. 378247 165905 Consumer, Housing and Community Reinvestment (CRA): Empire Justice provides legal assistance, training, support and advocacy in areas of consumer law, bankruptcy, fair housing, and community reinvestment. These services were funded through a variety of grants and contracts, including the City of Rochester for Community Reinvestment Act work in the Greater Rochester Area. 60000 Long Island Public Advocacy: Empire Justice maintains a multi-faceted, unrestricted legal services office on Long Island. The Long Island office fills gaps and supplements the work of local Long Island agencies, adding depth to their efforts by providing unrestricted legal assistance to ensure that government benefits are provided fairly and equitably, that immigrants have access to needed legal assistance, and that government rules are legally based and comply with state and federal law. The office is funded by contributions from the Long Island Community Foundation, the Horace Hagedorn Foundation, the NYS Office of Court Administration and the Interest on Lawyer Account Fund of the State of New York. 89110 84527 Domestic Violence: Empire Justice provided a range of legal services to victims of domestic violence, including direct services to immigrant victims of domestic violence in the Capital District; statewide advocacy on DV issues; training and technical assistance to community based organizations throughout the state serving victims of domestic violence; and specialized training and technical assistance to community-based organizations on the cross-cutting issues of domestic violence and disability. Funded by a variety of grants and contracts from private foundations and state and federal agencies. 242413 242413 Immigrant Assistance: Empire Justice provided services to immigrants in need of legal assistance in the Hudson Valley and training and technical assistance to community-based organizations serving the immigrant populations across New York. These services were funded through various grants and contracts, including the Westchester County Office for Women. 110367 4427 Public Benefits: Empire Justice provides policy analysis, training, support and advocacy on issues related to public benefits including cash assistance, child care and food stamps. These services are funded through various grants, contracts, and contributions. 646271 492915 Health, HIV/AIDS: Empire Justice provides statewide training and technical assistance to legal services and health care center staff on public health programs and offers individual civil legal assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS onsite at community health centers in the Greater Rochester area. Funds were also used to provide training and assistance on issues involving Medicare Part D under contract with the New York State Office for the Aging. Additional funds were used to undertake policy analysis and advocacy on Medicaid and health care reform. 50722 Hanna S. Cohn Equal Justice Fellowship: This Fellowship supports a new attorney entering public interest law for a two-year term. The Fellowship is based in the Rochester office. The fellowship is named in memory of Hanna Cohn, longtime director of the Volunteer Legal Services Project (VLSP) in Rochester. Funded by the Hannah S. and Samuel A. Cohn Memorial Foundation, the Campaign for Justice as well as contributions from the Cohn Family and friends. 1577130 990187 4508673 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 0 1 72 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 13 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 NY X X The Organization 5854544060 1 West Main Street No 200 Rochester NY 14614 John T O'Connell 0.20 X X 0 0 0 Tom Maligno 0.20 X 0 0 0 Joseph Casion 0.20 X X 0 0 0 Christine Rutigliano 0.20 X X 0 0 0 Lyn Kelly 0.20 X X 0 0 0 Latonia Early-Hubelbank 0.20 X 0 0 0 Laura Gonzalez-Murphy 0.20 X 0 0 0 David A Munro 0.20 X 0 0 0 Michael T Harren 0.20 X 0 0 0 Candice Lucas 0.20 X 0 0 0 Edward F Premo II 0.20 X 0 0 0 Melanie S Wolk 0.20 X 0 0 0 David M Schraver 0.20 X 0 0 0 Anne Erickson 35.00 X 117506 0 10105 Rebecca Schroeder 35.00 X 70227 0 11685 Bryan Hetherington 35.00 X 114173 0 0 301906 0 21790 2 0 0 0 Neighborhood Legal Services 237 Main St Suite 400 Buffalo NY 14203 Legal Services 323545 Legal Assistance of Western New York One West Main Street Suite 400 Rochester NY 14614 Legal Services 214974 Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monr One West Main Street Suite 500 Rochester NY 14614 Legal Services 138181 Legal Aid Society One West Main Street Suite 800 Rochester NY 14614 Legal Services 112101 4 205332 447412 11199 652744 Predatory Lending 541100 1120397 1120397 Disability Benefits DA 541100 1033120 1033120 Health HIV/AIDS 541100 492915 492915 Immigrant Assistance 541100 242413 242413 Attorney Fees 541100 217216 217216 1189445 1189445 4295506 1211 1211 4949461 4295506 0 1211 209558 63823 145735 2725445 2243550 481895 424234 351241 72993 212728 169927 42801 9749 9749 10791 10791 1140965 1134979 5986 225076 189684 35392 59064 47180 11884 209069 167004 42065 70646 67795 2851 22447 17931 4516 26372 25421 951 Litigation Costs 1917 1917 27416 17430 9986 5375477 4508673 866804 0 646375 705537 15840 17063 1453408 1064004 127290 125248 350155 312044 39529 38111 11070 13967 2293512 1963930 688859 610227 98809 270978 11103 14000 798771 895205 X 1087138 757477 407603 311248 1494741 1068725 2293512 1963930 -426016 0 X 0 1 1 X 0 X 657235 788845 579444 895893 652744 3574161 657235 788845 579444 895893 652744 3574161 673112 2901049 21710 5901 1436 1130 1211 31388 20447 41425 61872 3667421 20788872 0.79100 0.79030 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 14474 79729 94203 5403866 5498069 424903 106226 0 0 393421 427422 400327 424903 1646073 2469110 134983 115625 63464 94203 408275 98355 106856 100082 106226 411519 617279 27358 9655 8885 14474 60372 0 1 32211 11682 20529 273799 256217 17582 44145 44145 0 38111 4949461 5375477 -426016 -426016 5072396 122935 122935 4949461 0 4949461 5498412 122935 122935 5375477 0 5375477 Part IV, Line 2b: Client escrow funds are held in a separate, interest-bearing checking account. Description of Uncertain Tax Positions Under FIN 48: Part X: Accounting standards require entities to disclose in their financial statements the nature of any uncertain tax positions. Tax years including December 31, 2008 and later are subject to examination by tax authorities. Areas that IRS and state tax authorities consider when examining tax returns of a charity include, but may not be limited to, tax-exempt status and the existence and amount of unrelated business income. The Organization does not believe that it has any uncertain tax positions with respect to these or other matters, and has not recorded any unrecognized tax benefits or liability for penalties or interest. The Organization is not aware of any circumstances or events that make it reasonably possible that tax benefits may increase or decrease within 12 months of the date of these financial statements. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11 The Form 990 shall be reviewed by the Executive Director and Treasurer and then presented to all Board members either electronically or by paper copy prior to its signing and subsequent filing with the IRS. At the next Board meeting, the Treasurer and tax preparer, if appropriate, will review the Form 990 with the Board. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c On an annual basis, the CEO or her designee maintains conflict of interest declarations for all members of the board. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 The Board of Directors acting as a whole will have the responsibility to set CEO compensation and conduct an annual review of CEO performance. It will set compensation in a manner consistent with the requirements of section 4953 of the Internal Revenue Code: including: an independent compensation setting process; which is based on reliable information; with contemporaneous documentation; and that seeks to provide compensation that is reasonable compared to the compensation provided to CEO's providing like services, in similar organizations, under similiar circumstances. In setting CEO compensation the Board will periodically (no less than every three years) obtain and review information on compensation in comparable organizations. In the intervening years the board may rely on the last previous data collection and trend it forward to the current year. The process for determining compensation of the organization's officers or key employees includes the use of comparability data as well. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 The Form 1023 application which was forwarded to the IRS and Form 990 for the previous three years shall be available for inspection by the public during normal office hours. The names and addresses of contributors on Schedule B shall be redacted in the Form 990's that are made available to the public. If someone from the public requests a copy of a Form 990, they shall be referred to www.guidestar.com where the Treasurer has confirmed it to be widely distributed. Otherwise, copies will be provided for a fee of $1.00 per page plus postage, if any. Other corporate documents, such as bylaws, minutes, financials and policies and procedures shall be maintained as internal documents and shall not be made available to the general public, unless for a business reason as determined by the Chief Executive Officer and approved by the Board of Directors.