When she was four years-old, Victoria M. was struck by a bus while crossing the street. She sustained extensive injuries, and was awarded more than $100,000 from the bus company. Due to her age at the time, the money was put in a trust that she could only access after she turned 18. That was before Victoria ended up in foster care because of her mother’s neglect. When her 18th birthday rolled around, Victoria tried to access her funds.
The bank insisted that her mother’s signature was required. Victoria’s mother had long been out of her life and obtaining her signature was impossible. That’s when Victoria turned to the Alliance’s NextSTEP Program.
NextSTEP enlisted the support of pro bono counsel from long-term supporter Greenberg Glusker. Associates Brian Berman, and Megan Rivetti, took the case and immediately began tearing through the bank’s extensive red tape. The two showed tremendous dedication to Victoria’s cause, negotiating with bank tellers, managers and the bank’s legal department, during a five-hour on site visit to the bank with Victoria at their side.
Greenberg Glusker attorneys, Brian and Megan were able to eliminate substantial transfer fees that the bank attempted to impose and tackled eight levels of state permission in order to secure the majority of the funds that had been tied up in the state comptroller’s office as unclaimed money. The Greenberg Glusker attorneys went above and beyond to achieve a great result for Victoria!
“We understood how this would change Victoria’s life completely,” says Megan. “She didn’t have much in the way of money and was about to be on her own. You could tell how happy and relieved she was.”
Thank you Brian, Megan and everyone from Greenberg Glusker!
