Legal Services NYC Announces 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.

(Jump to Steven B. Telzak Center for Social Justice)

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. Steve was instrumental in leading the Bronx
program, which carries
more than 3,000 active cases a year, 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.

For more information please contact Saba Debesu, 718-928-3703.

New York Law Journal Obituary  (registration required)

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Steven B. Telzak Center for Social Justice

In Steve’s memory, Legal Services NYC has created the Steven B. Telzak Fund. The fund will help establish the Steven B. Telzak Center for Social Justice, a new Legal Services NYC–Bronx building which will serve as a permanent home for the work to which Steve was so dedicated.

To Donate: 

Online

Contributions may be made via our secure online donation page. Please select "Legal Services NYC-Bronx" from the dropdown menu, and specify the Steven B. Telzak Fund in the notes/comments field.

By Mail 

Please make checks payable to Legal Services NYC–Bronx and specify "Steven B. Telzak Fund" on the memo line.

Mail to:

    Legal Services NYC-Bronx      

    579 Courtlandt Avenue

    Bronx, NY 10451

    Attn: Steven B. Telzak Fund

PDF of Announcement