The (CUNY Law) Practice—In the Public Interest Since 9/11

Befitting a law school dedicated since its founding in 1983 to the public interest, many graduates of the CUNY Law School at Queens College have leaped into emergency legal service in the wake of the World Trade Center attack. Several have reported their activities to Fred Rooney, director of the School's Community Legal Resource Network (CLRN). This initiative was established to train and offer professional support to CUNY Law graduates working in underserved New York City and Long Island communities. Elisabeth Ames has been chairing the WTC committee on immigration of the local Bar, helped set up the Immigrant Services table at Pier 94, and has served on a pro bono panel at the Bar, accepting immigration referrals. "I am currently working on an immigration case for a widow whose husband died on 9/11."

Focusing on mental health counseling at the armory and then Pier 94 has been Peter Buchenholz. His work has been for a not-for-profit child care agency called Association to Benefit Children (run by his mother) in conjunction with the City's Mental Health Department and FEMA.

Suzanne Tomatore describes her work at the Immigrant Affairs table at Pier 94 and a Worth Street office: "we answer immigration questions relating to the disaster, educate immigrants on what aid they are eligible for, and advocate for those having problems with charity organizations." Teresa Calabrese says she has been receiving referrals from Disaster Legal Services "to provide landlord-tenant information to folks who live or run a business in the WTC area."

Christopher Fanning has worked pro bono for a man who lost his wife. He has "two young children, and we are refinancing the loan on his house and doing his will, health care plan, living will, and power of attorney."Similarly, Rebecca Sheehan de Molina has been aiding a widower left with children aged 5 and 9. "I am assisting him in straightening out some financial issues, identifying aid resources for victims' families, and administrating his wife's estate."

Her fluency in Cantonese came in handy for Maria Toy, who has been helping immigrants denied assistance. "This was due mainly to ill advisement by the charities themselves, language barriers, and probably some stereotypes against immigrants," Toy reports, adding, "I am proud to say my Cantonese was extremely helpful at a time like this."

For information about such legal services or to volunteer legal expertise, reach Fred Rooney at the CLRN (718-340-4451, or at rooney@mail.law.cuny.edu).