The Legal Aid Society of Rochester

10/08/2026

Thanks to Empire Justice Center for recognizing Carla Palumbo’s efforts in improving access to justice!
Congratulations to Emily Whalen and Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC!
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Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce our signature fundraising event, A Celebration of Leadership on Thursday, November 19 from 5:30-8 PM at the Albany Renaissance Hotel.

This event honors extraordinary New Yorkers whose work has transformed access to justice across the state.

This year, we're thrilled to celebrate three remarkable honorees:
✨️ Carla Palumbo, Esq.
✨️ Emily Whalen, Esq.
✨️ Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC

🌟 Purchase event tickets, become a sponsor, or make a donation in honor of our awardees!
https://empirejustice.salsalabs.org/2026celebrationofleadership/index.html

Your support helps us raise critical unrestricted funds that allow us to be agile and responsive to emerging civil legal needs across the state, and continue advancing justice for New Yorkers.

10/06/2026

On Oct 8, immigration attorneys Shakira Hutchinson and Richard Link, civil rights attorney Don Thompson, and immigrant advocate Maria Garcia will provide attorneys with a practical overview of immigration law and its intersection with criminal and family court practice.

The program will cover immigration statuses and recent changes; how to identify and assess a client’s immigration status; the potential implications of immigration status in criminal and family court matters; available resources for attorneys and clients; and constitutional rights during street encounters with immigration law enforcement.
Register here - https://mcba.org/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=354633&evSubAction=listMonth&calmonth=202610
Monroe County Bar Association
Easton Thompson Kasperek Shiffrin LLP - Criminal Defense Team
Enlace Services, Inc.

09/25/2026

The New York State Bar Association Legal Assistance Partnership Conference comes to a close! It's a wonderful opportunity for legal providers to enhance their knowledge about critical areas of law affecting low-income and vulnerable populations.
Cheers to the dedicated public interest attorneys and legal staff across New York!

Thanks to The New York Bar Foundation for support this!

09/24/2026

The theme of this year's partnership conference is Strength and Resilience: Advancing Justice in Challenging Times.
Not only are plenty of LASROC attorneys and staff attending, Lily Sarkisian Managing Supervisor of the Housing Unit presented on the Good Cause Eviction Law, along with Ellen Davidson [Legal Aid Society, NYC] and Marcie Kobak [Legal Services of the Hudson Valley].
New Yorkers have the right to continue living in their homes without fear of unreasonable eviction or extreme rent increases. In many situations, tenants of market-rate housing are now covered by more expansive protections.
New York State Bar Association

09/21/2026

Legal Aid is out and about in our community!
For the City of Rochester, NY Supporting Families Resource Fair, we tag teamed with JustCause to direct those with legal questions to the appropriate Telesca Center for Justice partner.
Last Saturday, we were at Senator Jeremy Cooney's annual BBQ, connecting with people at Mount Olivet Baptist Church.

09/18/2026

There aren’t many people who are comparable to Justin! He is still missed but has a tremendous legacy!

09/16/2026

Come one, come all! Staff along with partners & kids enjoyed an afternoon Wickham Farms. The weather cooperated making the corn a copia, train rides, petting zoo, slides, and more SO much fun for kids and adults! The zipline got a bit competitive but all in good fun. The donuts & c***r were the perfect end to the day.

09/15/2026

It's been a busy September! Earlier this month, we welcomed 4 social work/MSW interns for the Attorney for the Child program. Now we are wishing Helene all the best as she leaves LAS to enjoy retirement.

09/01/2026

As word spreads about Carla Palumbo's upcoming retirement, more organizations are calling attention to her decades of commitment to our community and those in need of critical legal services.
Here's a nice piece by Spectrum journalist Wendy Mills.

Carla Palumbo spent most of her life as a Legal Services attorney for victim's of domestic violence

08/31/2026

Survivor-Centered Nonprofits Receive Additional Funds for Life-Saving Care!
Governor Kathy Hochul restored $36M in funding for essential services to r**e crisis centers, domestic violence survivor providers, child advcoacy centers and legal services organizations.
Thanks to Kristin Brown and New York Legal Services Coalition for working on the structural problems with how funding is administered!

This morning, advocates representing R**e Crisis Programs (RCPs), Domestic Violence Providers, Child Advoacy Centers (CACs), and legal services organizations applauded Governor Hochul for committing $36 million to make up for funding losses from t...