Our People

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.

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.