Since 2006, the VLP has organized the annual Liz Padilla Memorial 5k as a tribute to a tribute to a gifted and giving colleague, Liz Kasulis Padilla.    Each year, hundreds of runners, walkers, families and friends have honored Liz’s memory with a day of outdoor fun in Prospect Park.

The proceeds raised benefit the many programs of the VLP and fund the Liz Padilla Cornell Law School Fellowship, ensuring that Liz’s legacy of service continues.

The fourth annual Liz Padilla Memorial 5k will be held October 4, 2009.  Stay tuned for details!

About Liz

On Thursday, June 9th, 2005, we suffered the tragic, untimely loss of Elizabeth Kasulis Padilla.  Always an active person, Liz was riding her bicycle to work when she was killed in a road accident.  Her absence continues to weigh heavily on those who knew and loved her, yet she continues to inspire us through her legacy of generosity, and kindness.

A graduate of Cornell Law School,  Liz joined the Volunteer Lawyers Project as a Pro Bono Coordinator/Staff Attorney in December 2004.  She immediately focused her extraordinary talents and abundant energy on providing direct representation and counsel to clients with family law issues, as well as the challenging task of coordinating the efforts of the Project’s volunteer attorneys, making certain all eligible clients received appropriate representation in family law, bankruptcy, elder law and housing matters.

Liz approached each day with excitement, eagerly seeking opportunities to give back to her community, especially to those most in need of a helping hand. In addition to long hours at the VLP, her days were filled with an amazing mix of challenging and meaningful activities: tutoring high school students, training as a tri-athlete, enrolling in a trapeze school, running the NYC marathon with disabled athletes as a member of the Achilles Track Club - and much more.  More than anything, Liz loved her very special family, laughter and hard work.  In the summer of 2005, Liz was planning a 5k race to benefit the VLP, her unique way of joining two of her favorite activities.  We dedicate this event to her.