A Test for Genetic Privacy, by Jerry Ackerman, The Boston Globe
A Pilot Study of Genetic Privacy, Discrimiation, and Informed Decision-Making, at the Genetic Alliance - Can You Help?
Looking for Lawyers in all the right places, Thomas D. Rodenberg, esq.
Uncharted Territory: Pheos and Psychological Symptoms, by Pierre Jacomet

"Based on the experience in our family, patients with pheochromocytomas can present with symptoms akin to neurotic or psychotic states."

Studies at NCI Seeking Patients, U.S. National Cancer Institute
Ask the Experts: Polycythemia and Hemangioblastoma
Ask the Family: Positional Vertigo
Human Research Protections Course available on the internet
Physical Activity and Immune Function, by James S. Huddleston, M.S., P.T.

"Moderate endurance exercise, such as brisk walking, stimulates positive changes in ... the body's first lines of defense ... On the other hand, high intensity exercise may have a negative impact on immune function."

Drink Water!
Meet the Directors: Jay Platt and Tom Rodenberg
Chapter Leaders meeting at conference in June
Pen-Friend needed for girl age 13
Speaking Tips, by Jay Platt
Health Management in von Hippel-Lindau: conference June 22-24, Palo Alto
Help Lead VHLFA to 2004 - nominations for Board and Committee positions due May 15.

. . . in all the right places

by Thomas D. Rodenberg, esq., VHLFA Director, Blue Springs, Missouri

It’s a very common question: "Where can I find a lawyer to help me with a claim against my insurance company?"

Unfortunately, it is a question that may not have an easy answer. Most attorneys would expect to be paid by the hour to help you with a claim against your insurance company. Attorneys’ hourly rates vary greatly. You could expect to pay from $100 to $300 per hour for an attorney. Many people will not be able to pay for services at those rates. They will need to find a lawyer who will help them at a reduced hourly rate or even for no charge, called "pro bono" services.

Where can you look for such a lawyer? The best place to look for such a lawyer is through your state or local bar associations. Every U.S. state has a state bar association and most counties and major cities have local bar associations. These associations are a great source for referrals to reduced rate or even pro bono attorneys. To find out how to contact these associations, the simplest way would be to call a local lawyer’s office and ask for the telephone number of the state bar association and any local bar association. Then, call that association and let them know you are looking for an attorney to assist you for a reduced fee or on a pro bono basis. The association will be able to quickly direct you to the right person or let you know that no such services are available.

Another great way to look for lawyers through a bar association is on the Internet. Just type in "[your state name] bar association" in any search engine. For example, I typed in "Colorado Bar Association" under Yahoo1. The search listed the home page for that association. The home page had a section called "In the Public Interest". Under that section, it listed "Legal Clinics" which usually involve speaking with lawyers at reduced fees or for no fees; a section titled "Free or Low-Fee Legal Assistance" which provided telephone numbers; and a section titled "Free or Low Cost Referrals" with numbers to call for referrals to such attorneys. You will find these associations to be a very good resource when looking for a lawyer.

The other key to looking for lawyers in all the right places -- persistence. It may take a few or even quite a few calls to find such an attorney.

Remember that attorneys have to make a living and providing reduced fee or pro bono services work against making a living. Just keep calling, and hopefully our legal system will find a way to provide you with needed services.

1. With a web browser, go to http://www.yahoo.com

As printed in the VHL Family Forum 9:1, March 2001. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.