Joseph Guzinski is a new Attorney Emeritus volunteer from Fairport, New York. Following his extensive career in commercial litigation, he sought to expand his legal expertise and assist migrant asylum seekers by volunteering for the Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (ECBA VLP). He also works closely with JustCause in Rochester on cases related to housing, landlord/tenant disputes, and foreclosure defense.
Joseph retired from practice in May 2020, yet found himself yearning to put his legal expertise to further use soon after. He registered with the Attorney Emeritus Program in early 2023, aiming to provide pro bono immigration and bankruptcy assistance. While he was unfamiliar with the intricacies of immigration law, he was drawn to the extensive outreach being conducted for incoming migrants in the State. Joseph has experienced challenges in this new field-such as learning how to work remotely with interpreters and translators. However, he continuously strives to connect personally and in person with clients, understand the impact of trauma in immigration-related cases, and build rapport and personal connections.
Joseph wholeheartedly believes that trauma-informed care is necessary for asylum seekers and wishes that standard legal training would incorporate both legal and social work components. He witnesses the tremendous need for holistic care and social support like essential housing, language support, and childcare in his service position. Additionally, Joseph would find culturally specific training to be immensely beneficial to strengthening his, as well as others practitioners', legal skillset.
Joseph Guzinski recognizes the tremendous barriers that migrants face to receiving American liberties and wants his clients to be heard and supported for their entire character, not just their migratory status. When asked to provide words that summarize his service, he said "human rights." Joseph's drive to volunteer is built upon a commitment to humanity and uplifting vulnerable people one step at a time. This is the kind of noble and high service that the Attorney Emeritus Program attracts while empowering its volunteers to broaden their legal service horizons and continuously refine their legal practice.
