Wendel Rosen Completes 15th Project With Rebuilding Together Oakland

Marking its 15^th consecutive year as a volunteer partner with Rebuilding Together Oakland/East Bay (RTO), Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP, the East Bay’s largest law firm, recently completed a two-weekend improvement project at the home of a disabled Oakland man. With a history of leadership in the organization, Partners Les Hausrath and Mark Epstein currently serve on the RTO Board of Directors.

For more than 20 years, RTO has brought volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of the growing population of low-income homeowners in need, as well as community facilities, in Oakland and the East Bay. Every April, RTO leads the Oakland/East Bay effort for National Rebuilding Day. This year, RTO saw more than 660 volunteers complete more than 100 critical home repair and community improvement projects in the area.

Wendel Rosen’s project brought together attorneys, staff and firm clients and friends for two, full Saturdays of improvement-focused labor on the residence of a disabled man with multiple health issues that have left him home bound. Because his dilapidated rear deck was unsafe, he has not been able to enjoy the sun and fresh air for years. The Wendel Rosen team, once again, partnered with Bell Investment Advisors to make significant and necessary improvements to the house, focusing on the near total rebuild of his back deck and stair, the removal of massively overgrown vegetation and clean-up of the rear yard. The team also replaced badly warping floors inside the house, repaired the front stairs, rebuilt the rear fences and gates, and as a bonus, installed a special doggy door for the homeowner’s beloved four-legged roommate Hey.

“At Wendel Rosen, we value every opportunity to give back to our community – and the teamwork and collaboration amongst our folks are added benefits of the effort. Community service is deeply rooted in our firm’s culture and history, and we cherish participating in Rebuilding Together Oakland every year – highlighted by our long list of willing and capable volunteers,” said Matt Graham, a construction attorney and team leader for the firm’s RTO building project.  

Phyllis Quintero, Wendel Rosen Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator for RTO adds, “I only wish we could do more for our RTO friends who so badly need our help.”