Together, we are advancing dignity and fairness.
Lauren Breen is the executive director of Neighborhood Legal Services. In 2016, Lauren returned to Neighborhood Legal Services after nearly 24 years as a University at Buffalo School of Law Clinical Professor. Prior to teaching, Lauren practiced commercial litigation as an associate with Hiscock & Barclay and worked as a public benefits litigator at Neighborhood Legal Services. Lauren serves as the vice president /president-elect of the Bar Association of Erie County. She is a member of NYSBA’s President’s Committee on Access to Justice and an officer/co-founder of the NYS-based Legal Services Access Alliance. Lauren served on the 8th Judicial District Attorney Grievance Committee from 2017-2023, chairing the Committee from 2021-2023.
Keisha is the former Executive Director of the Western New York Law Center (WNYLC), where she began her career as a staff attorney in 2010. As a foreclosure defense and bankruptcy law attorney, Keisha represented the needs of her clients in individual cases, policy advocacy and impact litigation. Keisha is a past co-chair of the New York State Bar Committee on Legal Aid, a member of the Board of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), and she represents the interest of consumers on the Advisory Board of the New York State Department of Financial Services. She is a 2008 graduate of Pace University Law School (now The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University). Keisha enjoys camping with her family and pets.
Vera is an experienced attorney who has had the privilege to practice on her own and in both corporate and non-profit worlds. Driven by her lived experiences and strong desire to help people, Vera takes pride in providing the best legal assistance possible. Having left the practice of law for this administrative position, she is now supporting NLS staff as they provide direct high quality legal services. One of Vera’s most enjoyable professional experiences was launching and managing CLARO Buffalo, for which she was recognized through the Buffalo Business First’s 30 Under 30 Award. Vera holds a BA summa cum laude in Environmental Design with a minor in Architecture and a JD cum laude from the University at Buffalo School of Law. When she isn’t working on a house renovation project, Vera enjoys spending time with her four-legged and bipedal families.
NLS Judge Edmunds started his legal career at NLS and rejoined it in September of 2022 in this new role. Previously, he served as a Judge of the City Court of Buffalo where he handled all aspects of criminal matters and civil matters, including commercial disputes, settlement conferences and trial de novos as Special Term Judge. Judge Edmunds received his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester and his law degree from Case Western Reserve University. Judge Edmunds served as Deputy Commissioner at the New York State Liquor Authority; Special Counsel at Phillips Lyle LLP; by appointment of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, served as Chief Counsel to the Court’s Attorney Grievance Committees; and was a partner at Damon & Morley LLP (now Barclay Damon).
Grace has been involved in the civil rights and housing advocacy community for over 30 years. Grace has represented tenants seeking redress for housing discrimination in federal, state, and local courts. As an adjunct professor at the University at Buffalo School of Law, Grace co-taught the Healthy Homes Legal Practicum. Throughout her career, Grace has worked collaboratively with many community partners to combat housing discrimination and to enforce the right to safe affordable housing in our communities. Grace received her JD from the University at Buffalo, and is a proud member of Buffalo’s Westside community.
Danielle is a Niagara County native and graduate of the University at Buffalo, she joined NLS in 2004 as an intern and has been with the agency ever since. During her time with NLS, she has worked as a paralegal in the Public Benefits, Family and Housing units as well as serving as a New York State of Health Navigator. Danielle joined the management team in 2022 as Project Director/Supervising Paralegal, where she now leads NLS’s navigator project.
Davewin is the Coordinator of Neighborhood Legal Services’ (NLS) Justice Bus Program which increases access to legal assistance for individuals challenged by poverty and disability in the NLS five-county service area. Davewin spent his formative years in Jamaica and graduated from the University of Technology, Jamaica with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. After graduating from John Jay College with a master’s degree in criminal justice, Davewin worked at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office wherein he collaboratively worked with community associates to help foster an amicable relationship with residents and law enforcement within New York City. While pursuing his Juris Doctor degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Davewin conducted research and summarized findings as a Research Assistant for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department. Davewin has substantial experience in accounting, taxation, and community advocacy, and he aims to improve and make a long-lasting positive change in the lives of the clients at NLS. In his spare time, Davewin enjoys playing soccer, taking road trips, and hiking.
Diana supervises a team of attorneys and paralegals and directs NLS’ public benefits practice in Erie and Niagara Counties. She represents low-income clients, primarily those experiencing homelessness, on public benefits matters. Most of her practice involves applications for ongoing benefits and emergency assistance issues including accessing shelter through local social services departments. Diana represents individual clients using informal advocacy, the state administrative hearing process, and litigation. Diana also represents NLS in local organizations including the Western New York Coalition for the Homeless. Prior to her employment at NLS, Diana practiced before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board in both the Northeastern and Western New York districts. Diana served on the Board of Directors at Neighborhood Health Center, Western New York’s largest and oldest Federally Qualified Health Center, for seven years including three years as the Board Chairperson. Diana is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law. Diana also holds a BA in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Kent State University.
John is the Supervising Attorney of NLS’s Batavia office, which provides legal services to residents of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming Counties. John received his JD from Villanova University and has been an attorney with legal services since 1981. John has practiced law before Federal and State courts throughout Western New York before both trial and appellate courts. John is an avid runner and has run over 25 marathons.
Kim is the Supervising Paralegal for the Housing Unit. She and the team of housing paralegals work with the unit attorneys to provide legal information and advice to tenants, assist those facing eviction, and provide referrals to necessary community resources. Throughout her time at NLS, Kim has worked out of both the Niagara Falls and Buffalo offices, in both the family and housing units. Prior to working at NLS, she worked as the Erie County Family Court Domestic Violence Victim Advocate for a local family services agency. Kim graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia with a double major in Psychology and Women’s Studies.
Larry has counseled and defended clients in a variety of civil litigation matters, insurance coverage defense matters, and healthcare matters. Larry is a former staff attorney in the Public Benefits/Medical Legal Partnership programs at NLS. He has been named to the National Black Lawyers 40 under 40 for New York State, Super Lawyers Rising Stars, and the 2022 Buffalo Business First Power 100 Business Leaders of Color. He is a board member for the Minority Bar Foundation of Western New York and the Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative. Larry has also served as a past president of the Minority Bar Association of Western New York, Steering Committee Member for the Empire State Legal Diversity Career Fair, and a past member of the board of directors for NLS. Larry has an AA and BA from the University of Delaware and a JD from the University at Buffalo School of Law. Outside of the office he enjoys spending time with his wife, Taylor, and dog, Maggie Sue.
Mary is the Assistant Supervising Attorney of Neighborhood Legal Services’ Batavia Office and the Program Director of NLS’s Western New York Eviction Prevention Program. She received her JD from the University at Buffalo School of Law in 2008 and shortly thereafter joined NLS. Mary is a generalist attorney, representing clients in housing, family, public benefits, and consumer credit matters. She provides holistic legal services to low-income individuals and families throughout NLS’s rural service areas. Mary also serves on the board of the Homeless Alliance of Western New York. Upon the creation of the Western New York Eviction Prevention Program, Mary was promoted to Program Director, working collaboratively with staff and program partners to promote access to justice for tenants at risk of eviction.
Matt has been an attorney admitted to practice law in New York since 2017. A graduate of the West Virginia College of Law (where he also earned an LLM), Matt spent the first few years of his legal career practicing personal injury and criminal defense law in Morgantown, West Virginia. Both before and after law school, Matt has worked in professional politics, most recently managing the successful 2018 primary campaign of Congressional candidate Kendra Fershee, after which he joined NLS as a housing attorney in the Niagara Falls office. Matt left NLS in 2021 and relocated to Seattle, Washington where he was the Managing Attorney of Kitsap Legal Services. Matt was responsible for turning this once-lawyer referral service into a fully functioning firm that contracted with the state to provide right to counsel defense in eviction proceedings, the first such statewide program in the country. Matt returned to NLS in the summer of 2022, where he resumed his role advocating for tenants in Niagara County.
Sandy, who has a paralegal degree, has served as the Office Administrator at NLS since 2011. Prior to arriving at NLS, Sandy worked for 35 years with private attorneys, both as a paralegal and Office Administrator. For more than 20 years, Sandy has been active with the running community including her work assisting with the Buffalo Marathon and Turkey Trot. Sandy has two grown children and lives in the Village of Hamburg.
Stan is the Managing Attorney of NLS’s Niagara Falls office and has been with Neighborhood Legal Services since 2015. Stan received his JD from Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and has been an admitted to the New York State bar since 2011. Before coming to Neighborhood Legal Services Stan spent 4 years volunteering to help Haitian immigrants in Rockland County through the Immigration Clinic at Pace University and received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from U.S. House of Representatives, the Servant of Justice Award from Haitian-American Cultural and Social Organization and a Citation from the New York State Assembly for this work. Stan has also volunteered at NYLAG’s foreclosure defense unit for approximately 18 months and worked as a tutor for at-risk high school students in the Bronx for approximately two years.
Michelle Schwach is a Confidential Law Clerk to Hon. Mary G. Carney in Erie County Family Court. Prior to this, she was in private practice, concentrating on matrimonial and family law. Michelle represented parties as well as children, which also included mediation and the collaborative law method. Michelle attended the University at Buffalo for her undergraduate studies, graduating cum laude with a BA in psychology and legal studies, and subsequently attended the University at Buffalo Law School and received her JD in 2008. She has been an active member of the Bar Association of Erie County and the Women’s Bar Association, WNY Chapter. As an active participant in the WNY community, Michelle is a member of numerous boards for organizations that serve our community.
Kerisha Hawthorne-Greer, Esq. is the principal law clerk to Hon. Stephanie A. Saunders at New York State Court of Claims, Buffalo District. Prior to her current role, she was an attorney with the Erie County Department of Social Services, where she litigated child neglect and child abuse cases. Ms. Hawthorne-Greer also worked for five years in the legal services field representing low-income individuals and families in immigration, housing, unemployment, and consumer benefits matters. She is also a member of the Minority Bar Association of WNY and University of Buffalo Law School GOLD Group Board of Directors. Ms. Hawthorne-Greer received her J. D., cum laude, from the University at Buffalo School of Law and her B.A., summa cum laude, in English Literature and Psychology from SUNY Geneseo.
Jonathan Lacey is the principal Security and Training Solutions, LLC, (STS), a private security and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consulting firm. STS provides training and consulting services aimed at helping nonprofits and businesses be more secure and equitable. Jonathan developed and practices DEI-Informed Security, which seeks to avoid threatening the psychological safety of people from traditionally marginalized groups when implementing security measures. He retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after serving as a Special Agent for over 21 years. Jonathan is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a Captain. He is certified in Leading DEI by Northwestern University.
Maggie Sroka has been an attorney at National Fuel since 2017, where she previously served as a law clerk during her last year of law school. In her role in the Legal Department, she works primarily on SEC filings, federal pipeline projects, regulatory issues, contract negotiations, and cybersecurity matters. Maggie has a B.S. in Business from the University at Buffalo. She also received her J.D./MBA degree from the University at Buffalo. Outside of her professional obligations, Maggie enjoys spending time with her husband, son and two rescue dogs. She loves being outdoors and plays golf and volleyball any chance she gets.
Grace Pietrocarlo has years of diverse professional services experience and education. This provides an understanding of corporate governance and compliance, ethics and rights, risk assessment, and community needs. She is familiar with legislation and litigation in the fields of housing, family, financial and penal law. Her concern for fair representation, advocacy, and social cohesion led her to organizations such as CASA. Her knowledge of the legal system, poverty, and social services offers a client-focused perspective to the board of Neighborhood Legal Services. Grace is completing a master’s degree in criminal justice, holds a bachelor’s degree in history and government, and is a certified paralegal.
Pamela Thibodeau is a solo practitioner specializing in Family Law and Child Neglect and Child Abuse representation. She was admitted in 1988 and has been practicing for 36 years. Pamela’s community involvement includes board membership and committee with the Erie County Bar Foundation, Erie County Assigned Counsel Program, 8th Judicial District Attorney Grievance Committee and Women Lawyers of Western New York.
Patrick Long is a professor at the University at Buffalo Law School, where he teaches courses in legal writing, legal history, and Shakespeare. A proud son of South Buffalo, he graduated from Harvard College and then served four years in the U.S. Navy. After law school at UB, he practiced law at Hodgson Russ LLP, focusing on trial and appellate litigation. He lives in Williamsville with his family.
Richard J. Schechter, J.D., MBA was born and raised in Syracuse, New York, and graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelor’s Degree (Magna Cum Laude), a Law Degree, and a Master’s in Business Administration. Richard worked as an attorney in the Erie County Department of Law for more than twelve years and rose to the rank of First Assistant County Attorney. Since 2002, Richard successfully transitioned into the commercial real estate brokerage profession with Pyramid Brokerage Company and has worked on many significant and complex projects. Richard’s duties include site acquisition, sales, leasing, and development for medical, retail, commercial, industrial, and office clients.
Shane Greene is an experienced attorney with a diverse background in litigation and appellate practice. Shane currently serves as a Field Attorney with the National Labor Relations Board. Prior to his work with the Board, Shane gained valuable experience as an Associate Attorney with Kahana Feld LLP, where he was involved in construction, trucking, labor law, and general liability cases. Before joining Kahana Feld LLP, Shane was a judicial law clerk with the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, where he helped the Court write judicial opinions. Shane holds a Bachelors and Law Degree from the University of Buffalo and is admitted to practice law in New York. When Shane is not working, he enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife and daughter.
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