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Bar News - March 3, 2006 Attorney Champagne Joins Pro Bono’s Low-Income Tax Program As a former prosecutor for the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office in Manchester, Champagne has seen her share of courtroom activity. She has also worked in the private sector as an associate at the law firm of Cronin & Bisson, where she handled a variety of civil matters. “I truly enjoyed my experiences at the County Attorney’s Office and in private practice with Cronin & Bisson. It was a privilege to work with such great people. However, I wanted to experience a different legal environment,” she told Bar News, in speaking of her decision to join the Pro Bono staff. The IRS established the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Program as part of the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998. Annual grants are awarded to accredited academic institutions and non-profit organizations to provide tax assistance to low-income taxpayers in two ways: clinics either supply legal help through direct representation or pro bono referral, or provide tax education to the English as a Second Language (ESL) population. “While we are fortunate to have a number of dedicated attorneys participating, “ Champagne said, “we are recruiting more volunteers to help meet the needs of clients with federal tax controversies.” In 2003, the NHBA’s Pro Bono Referral Program received its first grant from the IRS to establish the first and only representation-based Low-Income Taxpayer Program (LITP) in New Hampshire. Cases have included a variety of federal tax controversies, such as denials of the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), denial of dependency claims, innocent spouse claims, collection actions, and lien and levy actions. Champagne grew up in Manchester and received her Bachelors Degree from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. “After I graduated from college, I decided to wait a couple of years before continuing my education,” said Champagne. During that time she participated in the AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program, which provides support to victims of domestic and sexual violence throughout the state. With the support of her family, which includes several lawyers, and her AmeriCorps supervisor Kristy Lamont, she decided to pursue a law degree. She learned about the opportunity with the Pro Bono Program several months ago upon speaking with the Director of Legal Services, Virginia Martin. Champagne said, “As a member of the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association (NHWBA), I had the opportunity to attend a meeting with NHBA Executive Director Jeannine McCoy, Bar President Richard Uchida and other members of the Board of Governors. At that time, it dawned on me that the Bar Association might be an excellent place for me to combine my law degree and prior work experience and utilize them in a new way.” Champagne’s inquiries to the NHBA followed the departure last year of Heather Logan, the former LITP Coordinator. Martin had been on the lookout for someone to fill the Coordinator position. “We are fortunate to have Joceline on board as part of the Pro Bono staff,” said Martin. “She has a lot of terrific experience, compassion for our clients, and a strong sense of justice and fairness.”
Active in a number of organizations, Champagne serves on the Board of Directors of the NHWBA as Membership Secretary and speaks highly of the attorney networking opportunities it has provided her. She is also president of the NH Chapter Board of Directors of the Community Associations Institute (CAI); she became involved in the organization while at Cronin & Bisson where she concentrated a portion of her practice on condominium law and the representation of condominium and homeowners’ associations. In other volunteer efforts, Champagne serves as an advisor to the Massachusetts Youth and Government Program. In her free time, Champagne enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her friends and family. “I’m blessed to have so many great friends and a wonderful family in the Manchester area. I especially enjoy the times I spend with my four nieces and nephew. They are truly a joy.” |
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