VLJ is pleased to honor Sydney J. Darling, a partner at the Newark-based law firm of Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga, as December 2020’s Volunteer of the Month. At Walsh, Sydney works primarily for lenders, corporations, and other business and institutional clients, but she finds satisfying balance when offering her pro bono services to individual clients who could not otherwise afford counsel. Sydney attributes much of the impetus for her pro bono work to the support of her firm and the mentorship of the Honorable Raymond T. Lyons (Ret.), for whom she clerked upon graduating law school. Judge Lyon’s compassion, practicality, and fairness with debtors appearing before him inspired her. “I try to help clients understand that there is no shame in having to file for bankruptcy,” Sydney remarks, noting that sharp practices targeting consumers, medical debt, student loans, and life circumstances, often leave people with no other option.
As a regular volunteer at VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Clinic, Sydney assists low-income individuals in financial distress who need help dealing with creditors or are considering filing for bankruptcy. During this COVID-19 crisis, where the economic impact of this pandemic has been hitting everyone hard, but low-income individuals even harder, Sydney’s dedication to VLJ’s clients has been nothing short of aspirational.
During one of VLJ’s legal clinics, Sydney met with “Abby” who had a creditor garnishing her minimal wages. Abby had no idea who this creditor was and why they were taking so much of her paycheck. As a native Spanish speaker, Abby could not effectively communicate with the creditor in order to figure out what was happening. Abby attended the clinic several times, each meeting revealing new issues with Abby’s case. Sydney helped her navigate her financial situation and understand her legal rights and remedies.
Working with VLJ clients, while rewarding, is a somber reminder for Sydney of the social responsibility that comes with being a lawyer: “Most of the VLJ clients I meet with have been disadvantaged by the legal system due to lack of education and/or economic means. I believe that the legal system works best for everyone when all parties are treated fairly and reasonably and that it is our duty as lawyers to protect underrepresented people and the integrity of the system against these inequities.” Sydney tells us she is grateful that she can make a small impact in furtherance of these ideals by volunteering with VLJ and for the perspective that it lends her practice.
Thank you, Sydney, for your pro bono work!