Kasowitz Prevails for Pro Bono Clients in Two Unemployment Cases

Kasowitz Benson Torres, in partnership with The Legal Aid Society of New York, has obtained two victories for pro bono clients seeking unemployment benefits.

In the first case, our client, a former security officer, had collected unemployment insurance benefits.  The Department of Labor then charged our client with more than $45,000 in overpaid benefits and penalties, finding that he was disqualified based on alleged misconduct.  After a hearing before the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board (UIAB), administrative law judge Sally S. Woo overruled the Department of Labor, eliminating the charges.

In the second case, our client, a single mother who had lost her childcare, applied for unemployment insurance benefits after she was denied a work accommodation and placed on unpaid leave.  The Department of Labor denied her application, finding that she had quit her job without good cause.  After a hearing before the UIAB, administrative law judge Allison Schwier overruled the Department of Labor, allowing our client to receive the benefits.

The Kasowitz team handling these pro bono matters was led by associates Michael D. Fuzaylov and Colin Moretti, supervised by partner Andrew R. Kurland.