Faculty and Staff

Pace Women's Justice Center Executive Director Cindy Kanusher, Esq. Named to City & State's Inaugural "Trailblazers in Law" List

Posted
March 22, 2024
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University's Cindy Kanusher

The Pace Women's Justice Center (PWJC) is proud to announce that its esteemed Executive Director, Cindy Kanusher, Esq., has been selected for inclusion on City & State’s inaugural "Trailblazers in Law" list. The Trailblazers in Law award spotlights attorneys, academics, public officials, and other influential figures who have made an impact in the legal field in New York.

With over 25 years of dedicated service to PWJC, Cindy Kanusher has demonstrated unwavering commitment and exceptional leadership in advocating for victims and survivors of abuse as well as providing representation to the underrepresented. Throughout her illustrious career, Cindy has been instrumental in shaping PWJC's mission and vision. During her tenure, PWJC has grown into a highly respected, multi-faceted legal services and training center serving over 3000 victims and survivors of interpersonal violence annually, providing invaluable legal assistance to those in need and tirelessly championing the cause of justice.

Shortly after becoming PWJC’s Executive Director, Cindy identified a need for a more flexible service model and developed the idea of a walk-in clinic that provides free, bilingual legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse, in a safe and non-threatening location. She was also integral in spearheading fundraising efforts to build a brand-new clinic and office space for PWJC, which allowed increased services. Cindy’s leadership has empowered survivors to navigate the legal system with confidence and obtain the support they need to rebuild their lives. Cindy recently accepted the Visionary of Justice Award at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s 29th annual Law Leadership Awards Dinner.

About Pace Women's Justice Center

The Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC) is a self-funded nonprofit legal center located at Elisabeth Haub School of Law, under the 501(c)(3) status of Pace University. Each year, PWJC provides free legal services to over 3,500 victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse, as well as conducts or participates in over 140 training and outreach events. Serving Westchester and Putnam Counties, PWJC’s mission is to pursue justice for victims and prevent abuse through quality legal services, community partnerships, education, and awareness. With an experienced staff and a team of dedicated volunteers, including attorneys, other professionals, and students, PWJC has built an effective, coordinated community response to interpersonal violence.

More from Pace

Alumni

An avid reader and world traveler, Steffen Pedersen has worked his entire legal career as a maritime lawyer in international law firms. Currently, he is working as a maritime arbitrator with a keen interest in deep sea mining. He is also a frequently published author and panelist on the topic of international arbitration and mediation, with a focus on East and South-East Asia. Steffen decided to pursue his LLM in Comparative Law at Haub Law to open the door to more opportunities in the United States in his career as an international arbitrator. 

In the Media

The order ​“promised to bring about significant changes in Westchester County’s historic failure to provide affordable housing. We and groups around it were hopeful, excited,” says Bennett Gershman, a Pace University law professor who tracked the county’s progress on the settlement. ​“The words that come to mind now are ​‘slow,’ ​‘frustrating,’ ​‘foot dragging.’ Yes, there’s been progress, but it’s been halting, sluggish.”

In the Media

Under Horace E. Anderson Jr., Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law has increased its enrollment, donations, full-time faculty and partnerships with leading universities worldwide. Anderson, an intellectual property and technology law specialist who joined the faculty in 2004, recently established the Sustainable Business Law Hub, a research incubator devoted to global sustainability. The school now boasts the nation’s top-ranked environmental law program, according to U.S. News & World Report. Anderson also strengthened social justice and community ties through the new Pace Access to Justice Project.