Benis R. Guzman, Esq.
In-house volunteer—Manhattan office 

“Volunteering at inMotion was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I was able to help women in crisis who desperately needed access to the justice system.”

Over more than a year, Benis, a recently admitted attorney, spent several days a week volunteering in both the Manhattan and Bronx offices of inMotion, assisting over 100 clients with their family law and immigration matters. Benis was often the first person that a client would speak to on the phone. He also served as a translator and interpreter on many cases.

Benis commented, “Volunteering at inMotion was a great way to sharpen my legal skills while working for a cause to which I am deeply committed. I had my first courtroom experience representing an inMotion client. I was nervous at first, but quickly became comfortable in the courtroom. I learned to how to be a strong advocate for my clients.”

Benis noted that he especially enjoyed feeling that he was making a real difference in his clients’ lives. Benis supported one client, Claudette, in developing a whole new lease on life. Claudette was an undocumented immigrant from the Ivory Coast who was seeking a divorce from her husband.

When Benis first met Claudette, she was severely depressed and emotionally drained, having suffered years of domestic violence. At first, she was unable to articulate her legal needs and extremely reluctant to speak with an attorney. Benis’ kindness and compassion, however, enabled Claudette to tell her story, to speak about the abuse that she had endured for so many years.

Another client, Frieda, a battered elderly immigrant from Spain needed a lawyer to help her enforce an existing spousal support order. Frieda’s husband, extremely delinquent in paying spousal support, owed Frieda thousands of dollars in arrears. Frieda spoke a dialect of Spanish that was very difficult to interpret, but Benis worked closely with Frieda to make sure that they understood each other and were both working towards the same goal. With Benis’ representation, Frieda was successful in her support enforcement case.

“When the judge announced his decision, Frieda was so overjoyed that she hugged and thanked me and didn’t want to let me go!”  Benis added, “Frieda’s husband recently paid Frieda the total amount owed to her in arrears, and has since been paying his monthly spousal support on time.”

Learn more about becoming an in-house volunteer.

Note: All clients' names and personal details have been changed to protect their identities.