Pro Bono Honoree: April 2006
Michael Elisofon, Latham & Watkins

This month Legal Aid gives special kudos to Michael Elisofon, pro bono attorney with Latham & Watkins who successfully assisted a client from Daly City, California, in her petition for general guardianship of a very sweet eight-year-old girl.

The client, a close family friend, first obtained physical custody of the minor in January 2006, after she had bounced from home to home for months. With Legal Aid’s assistance, the client successfully petitioned for an emergency temporary guardianship in February to facilitate treatment for the minor’s severe asthma. The court then scheduled a March 14 hearing for the general guardianship, and Latham & Watkins agreed to represent her.

Although he had not seen the minor in months, the minor’s father vehemently opposed the petition and appeared at the March hearing to contest. In response, the Court granted a request for an evidentiary hearing, providing the client the opportunity to establish that parental placement would be detrimental. After hearing argument from both sides, including from the minor’s father and grandmother, the Court further ordered that, in the interim, client’s temporary guardianship remain in effect and all visits with the minor occur exclusively in client’s residence.

Shortly thereafter, the minor’s father changed his mind and withdrew from the proceedings. After extensive negotiation over visitation rights, the minor’s grandmother likewise dropped her objections. Accordingly, on April 19, San Mateo County Superior Court’s Probate Department granted client’s petition. The decision allows our client to continue providing the minor with the love and support she desperately needs. The two reportedly celebrated the victory at Applebee’s later that evening.