Perspectives
the students in other clinics,” says Stephen Atwell 3L.
Hofstra Law secured a $100,000 grant from the Robin
“Working together has allowed me to develop a far
Hood Foundation and a $25,000 grant from the Long
more extensive approach to problem-solving and critical
Island Community Foundation. “The level of funding from
thinking.”
these organizations,” says Haber, “reflects their enthusiasm for the level of professional assistance Hofstra Law
After conducting extensive background research and
students have been providing for Sandy victims.”
meetings with the client, the students drafted a notice of
The cases taken on by the clinic encompass represen-
termination to the landlord. They are currently preparing
tation of several constituencies, including homeowners in
Other
small
business
cases taken on by the clinic include helping a fishery that lost multiple boats appeal an adverse SBA decision in order to try to get funding to rebuild the business, negotiating a termination of a commercial lease or pos-
‘‘
‘‘
for a potential negotiation on the client’s behalf.
And while I ‘do good’ for this
community, I am also gaining
valuable real-life work experience — a win-win for everyone.
disputes with insurers, tenants in disputes with landlords, individuals in administrative
appeals
of denied FEMA grants, and transactional representation of nonprofits and community groups that
seek
to
provide
assistance to communities affected by Sandy.
sible bankruptcy for a café, assisting a group that wants to form a nonprofit organization that provides direct social
“The opportunity to provide free legal services as Long
services to people in need in the Rockaways and Staten
Islanders try to recover from the losses they suffered has
Island, and helping an animal shelter file for SBA funds.
been very meaningful,” says Jenna Segal 2L. “And while I ‘do good’ for this community, I am also gaining valuable
As it continues efforts on behalf of small businesses,
real-life work experience — a win-win for everyone.” H
the next stage for the clinic is representing individuals. To fund this expansion of the clinic’s efforts, Haber and
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