Albany, NY: On February 24, 2009, providers of civil legal services to the poor, bar association leaders, Pro Bono law firm leaders, community groups, and others will testify before members of the New York State Assembly at the first public hearing on Access to Justice for the Poor ever held in New York State.

Legal Services NYC is pleased to announce that Alexander “Andy” Artz, a third-year student at New York University School of Law, has been awarded a Kirkland & Ellis New York City Public Service Fellowship to work with Legal Services NYC-Bronx’s Education Law Project. Andy’s focus will be on increasing access to quality representation for students facing suspension and reducing the use of suspension as a disciplinary method.

Richmond County Supreme Court Judge Maltese granted Staten Island Legal Services' motion to vacate the judgment of foreclosure and sale entered against Staten Island Legal Services clients who were engaged in loan modification discussions with the servicer when the plaintiff sought a default judgment.  His decision reaffirms the principle that reasonable loss mitigation discussions with the servicer can excuse a defendant's failure to file an answer to a foreclosure complaint. 

Attorney Oroma H. Mpi represented a 5-year-old child with cerebral palsy who lives in non-accessible private housing and had been denied porter service by the New York City Department of Education.