An announcement was made by the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University that the Hofstra Law Access to Justice Incubator will launch on February 4, 2014. It will launch at the Hofstra University Club, according to the Hofstra Law News site.
The incubator will put recent graduates from the law school to work in the community surrounding the law school. The recent graduates will be able to gain experience while providing legal services for communities in Nassau County, which is much-needed.
At the launch event, Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman will make the keynote address.
“I am delighted to help inaugurate this wonderful program,” Judge Lippman said. “TheAccess to Justice Incubator, developed in partnership with the Nassau County bench and bar, will cultivate a culture of service among the next generation of the legal profession and make a significant contribution towards bridging the access to justice gap for the poor.”
In Nassau County, there are 45,000 adults living in poverty. The data was provided by the New York State Community Action Association in its Poverty Report for 2012.
People facing civil legal issues who have low-and-moderate income will be represented by Hofstra Law fellows. At the start, focus will be given to housing and home ownership, guardianship, access to health care and benefit entitlements.
The incubator is a non-profit group that was created with the help of the New York States Unified Court System and the Task Force to Expand Access to Civil Legal Services.
Dean Eric Lane said, “Our hope is that the Incubator will be a bridge from the classroom to full-time legal practice, offering Hofstra Law graduates a growth opportunity to prepare for practice while serving the public interest.”
The fellows who take part in the program will be under the supervision and guidance of Lisa M. Petrocelli. Petrocelli is the executive director and an attorney.
“I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to participate in this unique and significant program at my law school alma mater,” Petrocelli said. “I look forward to building a successful incubator model which benefits our graduates while greatly impacting those members of the community that require our assistance.”