Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc. Launches Economic Exploitation of the Elderly Project

West Palm Beach, FL — On September 3, 2002, the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc., through a grant sponsored by the Equal Justice Works, Fellowship program established the Economic Exploitation of the Elderly Project. The new project will provide comprehensive legal representation to the elderly in the area of consumer protection. There is also a unique outreach component to the project which will focus on senior citizens in Belle Glade and surrounding communities. The elderly poor are vulnerable to economic exploitation because they are often isolated and under-educated.

"The Exploitation of the Elderly Project promises to make significant inroads in protecting the rights of the frail and vulnerable elders in our community who are most likely to be the victims of unethical and illegal business practices," said Bob Bertisch, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society.

Shahar Vinayi Pasch, a recent graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, received a two-year fellowship from Equal Justice Works to start the project. She is also a former Florida Bar Foundation Fellow with the Elder Law Project.

For more information, please contact Bob Bertisch, Executive Director at the number below.

The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc., founded in 1949, is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing free legal services to disadvantaged individuals and families living in Palm Beach County.

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Contact:
Bob Bertisch, Executive Director (561) 655-8944 ext. 247