Legal Services NYC Staff Members Mourn the Passing of Bronx Project Director Steven B. Telzak

It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors of Legal Services NYC announces the passing of longtime social justice attorney Steven B. Telzak on March 24th, 2010. Mr. Telzak, Director of Legal Services NYC-Bronx (a program of Legal Services NYC), was a beloved member of the Legal Services NYC family and a tireless advocate for access to justice for the poor. Steve was admired for his professional competence and his ability to establish warm and productive relationships with a wide variety of people.

Born and raised in the Bronx, Mr. Telzak began his 30-plus year career in 1978 as a Staff Attorney with Legal Services NYC’s program in that borough. He held a variety of positions in the Bronx office, was appointed Interim Director in 2002, and became the permanent Director in 2007, overseeing a staff of 50. The program carries more than 3,000 active cases a year. Steve was instrumental in leading the Bronx program through a significant expansion including an increase in its annual budget from $4.5 million in 2002 to $7.4 million today. Under his stewardship, many innovative programs have been created in areas of vital importance to low-income Bronx residents, including family, education, immigration, elder, and tax law and foreclosure prevention.

“Legal Services NYC is shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of Steve Telzak. We were incredibly fortunate to have had such a talented, dedicated advocate leading our Bronx Program. His vast experience and infectious enthusiasm enhanced the quality of our programs and inspired his colleagues and friends not only in the Bronx but throughout the City,” said Legal Services NYC’s Executive Director and President, Andrew Scherer.

Said Professor Ellen Chapnick, Chair of the Legal Services NYC-Bronx Board of Directors, “We at Legal Services NYC-Bronx are feeling the loss of a dear friend and energetic colleague, whose knowledge, enthusiasm, generosity of spirit, and curiosity enlivened discussion and created a dynamic place to work.”

"On behalf of the Legal Services NYC Board of Directors, we extend our condolences to Steve's family, offer our thoughts and sympathies during this time of loss, and re-commit ourselves to providing the highest quality services and support to the people and communities he cared about so deeply” said Mark G. Cunha, Legal Services NYC Board Chair.

Said Jill Siegel, Director of Litigation at Legal Services NYC-Bronx and long-time friend and colleague of Mr. Telzak’s, “Steve was more than a boss, he was the head of our family and a beloved and great human being. His love and dedication for the work he did and the people of the Bronx was a beacon of inspiration for us all. He will be deeply missed.”

Mr. Telzak, who was 58 at the time of his death, received his J.D. and B.S.W. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is survived by his wife, Carol, his children Rebecca and Andrew, his brother, his mother, and a wide circle of friends and colleagues.