Welcome MaryElizabeth

MaryElizabeth Curulla

By Sam Young, Director of Advocacy

Sam Young interviewed MaryElizabeth Curulla, LSCNY’s newest staff attorney. LSCNY recently began a new project with Vera House to provide representation in civil legal services to survivors of domestic violence. MaryElizabeth started working with LSCNY in October as the staff attorney on this project. Because so many of our staff have been sothat everyone will want to learn a little bit about our newest colleague, and that we all join in welcoming her to the LSCNY family.

Services of Central New York. Can you please tell us something about yourself?

law school, with the plan of becoming an international dent of DeWitt, on the first day of law school and we got dren: Alexandra, a senior at Binghamton University; Matthew, a sophomore at the University of Rochester; and

LSCNY?

reer. My practice concentrated in criminal, family/ ber of the Assigned Counsel Program and Law Guardian Panel. I took a few years off to stay home with my chil-

dren and returned to practicing full time, with Hiscock Legal Aid (HLA), in November 2015. For over 4 years, I was tic Violence Part and CLASP. I was very fortunate to have Elaine Amory as my CLASP co-worker!

cially distanced during this time of COVID-19, I am sure

SY: MaryElizabeth, I want to welcome you to Legal

MEC: I am a life-long resident of Syracuse. I’m an ‘East-

side girl’ -- I grew up in Fayetteville and have lived in

DeWitt for thirty years.

I went to St. Lawrence University and majored in Government and Spanish. I spent my

sophomore year in Spain and loved it!

I went to SU for lawyer. I met my husband, Frank Scibilia, a life-long resimarried a month after the bar exam. We have 3 chil-

David, a junior at J-D.

SY: Where did you practice law before coming to

MEC:

I was in private practice for most of my legal cathe HLA attorney assigned to both the Integrated Domes-

matrimonial, real estate, and wills/estates.

SY: Tell us about the project you are working on at

LSCNY?

MEC: As of October 1st, Vera House is now subcon-

tracting with LSCNY to provide legal services to survivors of domestic violence. My caseload involves primarily matrimonial, family offense, and custody/visitation proceedings.

SY: How has it been going so far?

MEC:

It has been absolutely wonderful working with Susan Griffith!! She was my supervising attorney at HLA and she’s so knowledgeable about so many areas of the law. I am so happy to be working with her again. monial and family law can be demanding and stressful. It’s nice to not only discuss cases with Matri-

Susan, but also have her as a friend to just chat and share a laugh with.

SY: Tell us why are

you passionate about representing survivors of domestic violence? MaryElizabeth Curulla

MEC:

My clients need someone who wants to

help them. I really like

my clients and I want to help and empower them.

I like to educate them about the law and assist them through the court process. I consider myself a very good listener and most of my clients need an attorney who takes the time to listen to them. This helps me establish a good rapport with clients and ultimately determine what I can do, as their attorney, to help them.