CONTACT:    David Wallace, Director of Development & Communications

PHONE:         527-8009

E-MAIL:         dawalla@lashaw.org

May 9, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Legal Aid Society of Hawaii Selects Chuck Greenfield as Executive Director

After an extensive, four-month nationwide search, Chuck Greenfield has been selected as the new Executive Director for the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii—replacing Victor Geminiani who left in December, 2005.  Mr. Greenfield comes to Hawaii from Legal Services of Northern Virginia, where he served as Executive Director for seven years.  He also worked for nine years as Directing Attorney and Litigation Director for the Micronesian Legal Services Corporation.

Notes Legal Aid Board President David Reber, “Chuck has dedicated over thirty years of service working to improve the lives of the poor.  His wide range of experience in addressing challenges similar to those facing the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and his success in working with other legal aid providers, social service agencies, community groups, the bar, and clients will be invaluable in moving Legal Aid forward in addressing the needs of the poor.”

A graduate of San Jose State University and Golden Gate University School of Law, Chuck holds bar admissions in the State of California, the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia, the United States Supreme Court, the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The State of Hawaii bar admission will soon be added to the list.

            “I am honored to have been chosen as the new Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii,” says Mr. Greenfield.  “The opportunity to work for an organization that has provided critically-needed legal assistance to residents of Hawaii for over 55 years, and to work with a staff committed to bringing justice to our community, is indeed a privilege.”  Respect is a key consideration in terms of Mr. Greenfield’s modus operandi.  Having witnessed firsthand the lack of respect accorded low-income individuals and families around the country, Chuck notes that, “While our clients often may not have the status or ‘clout’ to command favorable consideration of their views, they deserve to be treated justly, fairly, and with the utmost respect. This is why the work of Legal Aid is so critical:  We seek to obtain respect for our clients. We help families, children, and individuals obtain tangible results—and these results often make crucial and positive differences in their lives.  The work of Legal Aid enriches our entire community by ensuring that all residents are treated fairly and equitably.”

            Major cases that Mr. Greenfield has been involved with include:

Ø      Cruz v. Bowen:  Nationwide class action case successfully contesting a Social Security Administration regulation which discriminated against Philippine citizen immigrants.

Ø      Akapito v. Doone:  Successful constitutional challenge to a state law in the Federated States of Micronesia taking away local control over development money.

Ø      Samuel, et al v. Gouland, et al.:  Successful statewide class action against the Chuuk State Government (Federated States of Micronesia) on behalf of state employees for the failure to make required cost of living payments. As a result of the case, $2.5 million was paid out to state employees.

Ø      Graham, et al. v. Federal Emergency Management Agency, et al.:  Successful claim that 129 disaster victims had standing to sue in the U.S. courts and that the U.S. Government waived sovereign immunity in an action against FEMA for its failure to pay disaster assistance benefits to families and individuals in Micronesia.

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