Legal Aid Society Of Northeastern New York Selected By Equal Justice Works As Host Site For 2024 Rural Legal Fellows Program
The Fellow will contribute their legal expertise to underserved communities
ALBANY, N.Y. (July 11, 2024) — The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY (LASNNY), a not-for-profit organization that provides free civil legal aid to low-income upstate New Yorkers, is pleased to announce its selection by Equal Justice Works (EJC) as a host site for the esteemed 2024 Rural Legal Fellows program.
This distinction reflects LASNNY’s ongoing commitment to delivering essential legal services to diverse communities. LASNNY has been specifically chosen as a host site for the Rural Summer Legal Corps (RSLC) Fellow. Ben Fisher, a second-year law student from CUNY Law School, will join LASNNY this summer. Fisher will be offering valuable assistance on the opportunity for Akwesasne residents to obtain mortgages and secure housing.
“I would like to thank LASNNY and EJC for the assistance that Ben will be providing. Ben’s work will greatly assist residents of Akwesasne in having an equal opportunity to obtain home mortgages like so many other persons enjoy outside of Akwesasne,” said PJ Herne, LASNNY Staff Attorney.
Ben will play a pivotal role in the Kaianerenhsera Aorihwake Shakotihshienons project, a groundbreaking initiative situated on the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Reservation in rural St. Lawrence County. This project, the first of its kind in New York, represents a collaborative effort to address the legal needs of low-income tribal families.
“We are truly honored to be selected by Equal Justice Works as a host site for the 2024 Rural Legal Fellows program,” said Nic Rangel, Esq., executive director of LASNNY. “This opportunity not only allows us to expand our reach but also underscores the importance of collaboration in addressing the unique legal issues within our community. We look forward to working with Ben and continuing our mission to ensure equal access to justice for all.”
Working alongside experienced LASNNY attorneys, Fisher will handle various types of cases, encompassing eviction, divorce, custody, child support, family offenses, and matters related to vulnerable families. These matters may include consumer issues, housing disputes, landlord/tenant conflicts, foreclosures, Social Security concerns, Medicaid/Health Insurance, family law, public benefits, and other income maintenance matters.
The RSLC Fellow will gain valuable experience in family court, supreme court, as well as city and town courts. Assigned to LASNNY’s Canton offices, the Fellow will cover tasks such as researching and drafting legal memoranda and pleadings, participating in client interviews, investigating, and preparing cases, and representing clients in court under attorney supervision.
LASNNY’s collaborative effort provides much-needed legal assistance to low-income tribal families on the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Reservation. The organization remains committed to its mission of ensuring equal access to justice for all, and the addition of the Rural Summer Legal Corps Fellow exemplifies this dedication.
For more information about the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY and its programs, please visit www.lasnny.org.
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About Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY): Fighting for fairness, dignity, and justice for those living in poverty and for a society which is inclusive and equitable for all. LASNNY transforms lives, builds community and empowers people by using the law to address individual and systemic wrongs and inequities. www.lasnny.org
