From Paris to Pittsburgh... and Beyond – An Employee Spotlight on Joy M. Smith
by Amy DeAngelis
NLSA Intern, Pittsburgh office
Senior Consumer Attorney Joy Smith is following her dream: to work as an advocate for the needy and to help people through their bad luck and poor decisions. Joy is pursuing this dream at Neighborhood Legal Services with her work in the fields of consumer law, bankruptcy, PFAs, and housing, with a constant smile on her face and her priorities in order.
Originally from South Bend, IN, Joy received her undergraduate degrees in Government and French and her law degree from Notre Dame University. She also spent one year studying French in Angé, one hour outside of Paris. Before she decided to become an attorney, Joy wanted to explore her heritage by working at a Native American school in New Mexico and teaching on a Zuni reservation. She also received her teaching license from the College of Santa Fe. While in law school, Joy was very active in the Legal Aid Clinic and spent one summer working for the Advocates for Basic Legal Equality in Toledo, OH, researching the constitutionality of certain affirmative action issues regarding the integration of the city police and fire companies. She also clerked for a Michigan state court judge. These experiences helped her to decide that she wanted to devote her professional practice to working at legal services organizations.
While at NLSA, in addition to working with clients, Joy researches the most current information about consumer laws and informs the NLSA community of any changes. In October, Joy will be arguing a technical point in bankruptcy law in front of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. She is looking forward to the experience because, although her client will not be impacted by the result of the litigation, she will be able to participate in clarifying a small gray area of bankruptcy law where there is now uncertainty.
"I believe that we help everyone that comes through our doors in some way. Whether we win their case or just give them some legal advice or counseling that they can use in other areas of their lives to help to get them take control of their lives – I hope that every person leaves with some benefit of having come to our office."
Because Joy's husband has accepted a surgical position in New York state, she will be leaving NLSA in September. She has accepted a position at Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York in Saratoga Springs, working primarily in disability and domestic violence law. Joy will be sincerely missed at NLSA, but her shining spirit and her profound impact on the office will remain in the hearts of everyone she has touched.
Be A Part Of The Solution
Become an NLSA volunteer! Each year hundreds of clients who qualify for our services are turned away because we do not have enough pro bono attorneys to cover each of their deserving cases. Pro bono attorneys who volunteer their time at NLSA have the opportunity to interact with other members of the Pittsburgh legal community while making a difference in someone's life. For more information about our pro bono program and how you can become a part of the solution, please call Barbara Kern at 412-255-6700 ext. 449.
In this issue:
From Paris to Pittsburgh – Employee Spotlight on Joy Smith
On The Lighter Side – Legal Humor
Main Office: 928 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3799
Telephone: (412) 255-6700
Toll-Free: 1-866-761-6572
Fax: (412) 355-0168
