JustCause

🌈💛 We are honored and grateful to have received support through the LGBT+ Giving Circle and to have been recognized at their Annual Grants Celebration.

This investment will help JustCause continue expanding access to justice for individuals and families throughout our community, including supporting our newest initiative, the Trans Family Stabilization Program. Through this program, we provide critical legal services that help transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals and their chosen families access the legal protections and planning tools they need to support their health, safety, and stability.

The impact of this funding extends far beyond legal services. It strengthens our ability to meet community needs, remove barriers to justice, and ensure that individuals have the support and advocacy they deserve.

Thank you to the LGBT+ Giving Circle for your commitment to creating positive social change throughout our region. We were proud to celebrate alongside so many organizations working to build a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive community for all. 🌈⚖️

🎉 Save the Date! 🎉

This year marks a very special milestone—the 45th Anniversary of JustCause! For 45 years, we have worked alongside volunteers, community partners, and advocates to expand access to justice and support our neighbors when they need it most.

To celebrate this occasion and recognize the outstanding pro bono contributions of our local legal community, Chief Judge Rowan Wilson will speak and present awards at a special ceremony on Tuesday, September 22, at 1:00 PM at the Monroe County Hall of Justice.

We are honored to celebrate the individuals and organizations whose commitment to pro bono service helps make justice more accessible throughout our community.

Formal invitations and RSVP information will be shared in July. We hope you'll join us as we celebrate 45 years of impact, partnership, and access to justice. ⚖️💛

✨ Ready for a change? ✨

Join us for an upcoming Name Change Clinic on June 17th. Our team, along with partnering attorneys, will be available to help eligible community members navigate the legal name change process and answer questions along the way.

Whether your name change is for personal, safety, or gender-affirming reasons, we’re here to help make the process more accessible and supportive. 💙

Register HERE➡️ https://buff.ly/nP0dEKy

📅 June 17, 2026
⏰ 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM

🏆 We are honored to be the recipient of this year's Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA) Family Friendly Employer Award!

This award recognizes legal employers that have distinguished themselves by creating workplace policies and practices that help employees balance their professional responsibilities with their family commitments. Consideration is given to areas such as flexible work schedules, parental leave, sick and vacation time, telecommuting opportunities, part-time employment options, and pathways for professional growth.

At JustCause, we know that supporting our team both inside and outside the workplace makes us stronger as an organization and better able to serve our community. We are proud to foster a collaborative, flexible, and supportive environment where employees can thrive personally and professionally.

Thank you to GRAWA for this meaningful recognition, and thank you to our incredible staff whose dedication, compassion, and commitment to justice make JustCause such a special place to work. 💛⚖️

💛 JustCause was proud to participate in this year’s United Way Day of Caring at Jennifer House!

Jennifer House is a transitional housing program supporting women rebuilding their lives after incarceration and homelessness, and we were honored to spend the day helping refresh and care for this important space. Our team pitched in with yard work, organizing shared spaces, painting, cleaning, seasonal tidying, and more, all in the spirit of community and collaboration.

From planting flowers to brightening common areas, every effort helped create a more welcoming and supportive environment for the women who call Jennifer House home. 🌼🏡

We’re grateful for opportunities like this to come together, give back, and support organizations doing such meaningful work in our community. 🤝

✨ Ready for a change? ✨

Join us for an upcoming Name Change Clinic on June 17th from 4:00 PM – 8:45 PM. Our team, along with partnering attorneys will be available to help eligible community members navigate the legal name change process and answer questions along the way.

Whether your name change is for personal, safety, or gender-affirming reasons, we’re here to help make the process more accessible and supportive. 💙

📅 June 17, 2026
⏰ 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM

💙 A powerful reminder of why immigration bond and habeas work matters. 💙

Recently, a Venezuelan client was detained while leaving his home for work, in front of his wife and children. He had no criminal history and had complied with all prior immigration requirements related to his case.

With the incredible support of volunteer attorneys, Envision Freedom Fund, and a sponsor, after 20 difficult days in detention, our client will now be released on bond and rightfully reunited with his family.

For many individuals in detention, immigration bond and habeas advocacy can be the only path to relief and freedom. This work is urgent, deeply important, and life-changing for families facing separation and uncertainty.

We are grateful to everyone who stepped up to help bring this father home. ⚖️🏠

If you’re an attorney interested in helping with cases like this and bringing families back together, we encourage you to connect with us to learn more about volunteering with our Immigration Unit. Your time and advocacy can truly change lives.

Reach Out➡️ Carla Perez, [email protected]

💙Volunteer Attorneys Needed – Family Law Unit💙

JustCause is looking for volunteer attorneys to assist with adoption cases and uncontested divorce matters. This is a meaningful opportunity to support families during important transitions and help create stability for those who need it most.

✨ New to this work? We’ve got you covered! Training, support, and mentorship will be provided every step of the way.

Your time and expertise can make a lasting difference in the lives of families in our community.

👉 Interested in getting involved? Reach out to Mary Beth Conway at [email protected] to learn more!

🌟 Leadership in Action: Brian Jacek 🌟

We’re proud to celebrate our Deputy Executive Director Brian Jacek for being recognized by the MCBA Young Lawyers Section with the Community Advocate Award at their recent Silent Auction event for his outstanding contributions to the community.

Brian’s leadership extends far beyond his role at JustCause. Through his work with Teen Court, he has dedicated his time to mentoring young people, promoting accountability, and helping shape positive outcomes for youth in our community. His willingness to give back, whether through programs like Teen Court or broader community initiatives, reflects a deep commitment to service and leadership.

Brian consistently leads with purpose, compassion, and integrity, and we are grateful for the impact he continues to make both within our organization and throughout the Rochester community.

Congratulations, Brian, on this well deserved recognition! 👏

📷️ Pictured: Brian Jacek & Rochester City Court Judge LaToya S. Lee.

🎉 Celebrating Law Day & the Power of Pro Bono ⚖️

We were honored to be part of Law Day celebrations, which provided meaningful opportunities to recognize the incredible contributions of attorneys who help uphold the rule of law and expand access to justice in our community.

A special congratulations to our McKnight Award recipients, David Rasmussen and Henry Jones. Both have demonstrated exceptional dedication to pro bono service, stepping up to take on complex matters, supporting clients with care and expertise, and contributing to broader efforts that strengthen legal access for those who need it most.

We also proudly celebrated the President’s Pro Bono Service Award winners, JustCause Volunteers John D. Holt and Bradon Carlson. Their consistent commitment to volunteer work, advocacy, and client-centered representation reflects the very best of the legal profession and the impact attorneys can have beyond their day-to-day practice.

One of the most powerful moments of the day was seeing so many attorneys re-affirm their oaths, recommitting themselves to the principles of integrity, service, and justice that define the profession. It was a meaningful reminder of the responsibility attorneys carry and the impact they can have when they choose to serve.

It was truly inspiring to see so many attorneys come together, not just to celebrate one another, but to reaffirm the importance of the rule of law, ensuring fairness, accountability, and equal access to justice for all. Events like this remind us that the legal community plays a vital role in protecting rights, strengthening institutions, and supporting the communities we serve.

Thank you to all who continue to give their time, talent, and dedication to this work. 💙