Press Release

Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Opens Legal Hand Call-In Center Providing Free Support to Westchester County

Posted
January 30, 2023
4 students in a computer lab smiling for the camera

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University has opened Westchester County’s first Legal Hand Call-in Center, in partnership with Legal Hand, Inc., an innovative community-based service.

Legal Hand is based on the powerful idea of Neighbors helping Neighbors. Legal Hand’s highly trained non-lawyer volunteers are available to community members to help assist them, always at no cost, with issues in the areas of housing, immigration, family issues, public benefits, domestic violence, elderly assistance, estate issues and other challenging life issues.

Originally established in 2015 in New York City, Legal Hand has virtual Call-In Centers in Suffolk, Nassau, Schenectady, Albany Counties, in addition to its newest location at Haub Law in Westchester County. The new virtual Legal Hand Call-In Center serving Westchester County will be operated by the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, with the support of Haub Law students and community Volunteers. It will provide free legal information, assistance and referrals to community members six days a week via phone, text message, email and chat.

“Our Legal Hand Volunteers are highly trained law students and community members who care deeply about understanding the issues facing Westchester individuals and families and empowering them by connecting them to resources and information that can help.” said Elyse Diamond, Director of the Public Interest Law Center and Access to Justice Project, at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law. Center Attorney Stephanie Costa added, “we are excited to provide this free service to the Westchester community and empower folks to take control of the issues that impact their everyday lives. Center Manager Diego Gomez emphasized, “our Legal Hand Call-In Center is open Monday through Saturday and offers convenient evening hours. People can call, text, email or chat with us. You never need an appointment and there are no eligibility requirements.”

As an indication of the excitement around the opening of the new Legal Hand Call-In Center, over 70 representatives from Westchester government, local legal and social services offices, community groups, libraries and others attended a Virtual Open House on January 24 where details about the Centers services were outlined. It was clear from the response that Legal Hand’s services will be an important new resource in Westchester County and relevant to the constituencies of those in attendance.

For Call-In Center Assistance:

Call or text: (914) 425-5483
Email: westchesterhelp@legalhand.org

Call-In Center Hours:

  • Monday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  • Friday: 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Visit the Legal Hand website for more information

About Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University

Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law offers JD and Masters of Law degrees in both Environmental and International Law, as well as a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) in Environmental Law. The school, housed on the University’s campus in White Plains, NY, opened its doors in 1976 and has over 9,000 alumni around the world. The school maintains a unique philosophy and approach to legal education that strikes an important balance between practice and theory. Haub Law launched its Environmental Law Program in 1978, and it has long been ranked among the world’s leading university programs, with a current #1 ranking by U.S. World and News Report.

About Legal Hand

Legal Hand is a nonprofit organization and has provided support for communities since 2015. Originating in New York City, Legal Hand’s proven community-based model has helped thousands of people in need. Legal Hand helps people navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges in the areas of housing, public benefits, employment, family issues, domestic violence, elderly rights and many more. Legal Hand works to help resolve issues before they become legal matters.