spotlight

Whenever Stokes first enters a space—the hallways of his apartment building, a city bus, a restaurant—only one thing crosses his mind. “Is this space safe for me?” In addition to being HIV-positive, Stokes suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Exposure to perfume or cologne causes him nausea, headaches, and difficulty breathing. Ironically, safe access to medical facilities has been one of his biggest challenges.

Michelle Mandel always wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father, a successful personal injury lawyer. Through her father’s work, Michelle learned that not only can traumatic accidents and negligent medical treatment be painful and debilitating, but they can often result in significant healthcare costs and lost wages. In 2000, Michelle joined her father’s law practice and since then has helped countless people get back on their feet.

Cassie Springer-Sullivan knew since she was sixteen years old that she wanted to be an attorney and use her skills, knowledge, and empathy to assist people in times of crisis. Cassie started her own law firm in 2008 and is committed to serving ALRP clients with disabling HIV/AIDS who suffer the devastation of losing their long-term disability income.

When HIV began to impair his ability to walk, Matt ordered a motorized wheelchair and eagerly awaited its delivery. However, he soon realized that the elevator in his building was too small to accommodate the wheelchair. When his landlord refused to accommodate his disability, Matt turned to ALRP staff attorney Diana Hughes and Panel attorney Andrew Westley.

Searching for housing in the San Francisco Bay Area is undeniably stressful. But for a person living with HIV/AIDS, the inability to secure safe, affordable housing can lead to homelessness or exile from San Francisco. A new home would cement a long-awaited new beginning for ALRP client Hector R. When Hector’s application to an affordable housing development was denied in January 2010, he turned to ALRP for assistance.

Mounting medical bills and credit card debt can feel crushing for ALRP clients. ALRP Panel attorney Mark Chernev sees bankruptcy as a helpful option for clients who have fallen on tough times. “My work is very rewarding,” Mark says. “It’s my goal to help clients gain financial control over their lives and give them a fresh start.”

Holland G.’s world of comfort and security came crashing down when he received a notice from his landlord stating that his tenancy was being terminated. Holland was devastated. Fortunately, ALRP Housing Attorney Jaime Rush explained to Holland his rights as a tenant and kept him housed.

Imagine being forced to choose between life-saving medical benefits and accepting the heartfelt gift bequeathed by a loved one who has passed away. With his specialized knowledge of special needs trusts, ALRP Panel attorney Kevin Urbatsch prevents individuals with disabilities from having to choose.

Unfortunately, harassment and discrimination can be common occurrences for people living with HIV. Yet many of these injustices go unchallenged due to the time, energy, and stress of asserting one’s rights while struggling with the day-to-day challenges of managing a chronic medical condition. Michael Bracamontes and Ryan Vlasak of Bracamontes & Vlasak P.C. have dedicated their law practice to providing a voice for clients struggling against workplace discrimination, wrongful evictions, and unfair housing conditions.