Dina Mikulka, Esquire, was recently honored by Project Self-Sufficiency with a Mosaic Award, indicating that she had gone to great lengths to offer her services on a voluntary basis to the agency’s low-income clients during the past year. However, Dina, an attorney at the Paris P. Eliades Law Firm in Sparta, has done more than just offer free legal advice to participants. She has created a new mediation program for low-income individuals going through a divorce, which will allow the two disputing parties to resolve their differences with a trained mediator, rather than resorting to a trial. The legal process of mediation allows a third party, usually an attorney, to serve as an objective facilitator between two people who are unable to resolve their differences. The process has a structure, timetable and broad set of rules, but participation is voluntary. Mediation can apply to any legal dispute, but the program offered by Project Self-Sufficiency will focus only on issues surrounding divorce.
The idea for the new program came to Dina as she observed countless individuals struggle to represent themselves in court. “I saw a need because so many litigants were self-representing in family court, and they were really struggling with cases that could probably be easily resolved. This is a particular program where an experienced matrimonial lawyer has volunteered their time at a reduced rate to assist clients who could not otherwise afford counsel to help them sort through some of the issues surrounding their divorce.”
Project Self-Sufficiency has already added the Mediation Program to its list of legal education services. “Project Self-Sufficiency has relied on volunteers from the Sussex County Bar Association to assist local low-income individuals with their legal issues for many years,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “We have been proud to offer free informational seminars, one-on-one consultations, pro se divorce workshops, court accompaniment programs, and do-it-yourself legal clinics with the help of volunteer attorneys. Dina saw a need for a new program which would allow two individuals to settle their disputes without the complications and costs associated with traditional legal processes. She created the program, recruited local attorneys who have been trained as mediators, and set the guidelines for client participation. She has spent hours working on this project, and we are indebted to her for her dedication and her devotion to the practice of the law.”
Sixteen attorneys from Sussex, Morris and Warren counties have agreed to volunteer as mediators with the new project. “Mediation can be a time-consuming process and these attorneys should be recognized for giving back to the community. This is the type of program were these attorneys are helping people at a loss to themselves, and they are giving generously of their time,” noted Dina Mikulka. The attorneys who will be assisting with the Mediation Program at Project Self-Sufficiency include Jodi Agentino, Vincent Celli, Carolyn Daly, Damiano Fracasso, Mark Gruber, Constance Kresge Stickle, Peter Laemers, Mike Meltzer, Dina Mikulka, Bernard Neuner, David O’Sullivan, Ann Pompelio, Angela Paternostro-Pfister, David Salvaggio, Candace Scott, and Faith Ullmann.
Participants in the mediation program must meet income-eligibility guidelines, and agree to a list of requirements which range from agreeing to be on time for meetings to serving as a community volunteer in return for receiving free legal assistance once the program is completed. Depending upon the participants’ financial situation, the program is free or available at sharply reduced rates. Individuals who are interested in learning more about the Mediation Program, or any of the other programs and services offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, are encouraged to call 973-940-3500 or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.
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