New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman Joins Leading Jurists in Albany for LSC Board Meeting

WASHINGTON – New York State Court of Appeals Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman joined Vermont Supreme Court Justice Paul L. Reiber and Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for New York City Courts Justice Fern Fisher in Albany on October 6 for a panel discussion on judicial initiatives to improve access to justice for low-income legal aid clients.

LSC held the panel in conjunction with the Board of Directors’ quarterly meeting.

LSC Board Chair John Levi and Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman introduced the panel, which took place at 11:30 a.m. at the New York State Court of Appeals.

Helaine M. Barnett, Chair of the Task Force to Expand Access to Civil Legal Services in New York and former LSC President (2004-2009), moderated the discussion.

The panel addressed LSC Board members and an audience of attorneys, judges and other access-to-justice leaders from across the region.

Paulette Brown, the American Bar Association President-Elect, delivered the keynote speech at a luncheon after the panel discussions. The luncheon was held at the New York State Court of Appeals library.

Following the luncheon, Chief Judge Lippman held a hearing on the Task Force to Expand Access to Civil Legal Services in New York at a New York State Court of Appeals courtroom. Harvard Law School Dean and LSC Board Vice Chair Martha Minow was among the testifying witnesses for the hearing.

The LSC Board met October 5-7 at the Hilton Albany Hotel, 40 Lodge Street. Details regarding the board and committee meetings may be found in a notice published on the LSC website.  

Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974. For 50 years, LSC has provided financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 131 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.