Pro bono reentry legal assistance is provided to community members who have criminal records and face barriers to employment and discrimination due to their past records who need free legal assistance but are often unaware of available resources. Reentry legal services have historically fallen into a wide gap between free civil legal aid and public defense. People are often bounced between public defender offices, who aren't able to assist with civil cases, and civil legal aid, which often do not have funding to support reentry legal services.
In this project, Cornell law students and undergraduates work with LawNY attorneys to learn how to review records of arrest and prosecution and file for certificates of relief to close the gap in available services. The students and attorneys develop informational resources, conduct outreach with service providers, and study case outcomes.
Cornell University's 13th annual Town-Gown Awards (The TOGOs) will be held in-person for the first time since 2019 on Saturday, November 4th 10-11 a.m., at Kulp Auditorium, Ithaca High School.
The event is free, informal, and welcome to all. Doors open at 9:30 for coffee and mingling. Ithaca City School District leadership and Cornell President Martha Pollack with present opening remarks. The TOGOs congratulate three community-campus partnerships, retiring elected or appointed officials, and community leaders. Collaborations being recognized include Pro-Bono Reentry Legal Assistance.
More information: https://communityrelations.cornell.edu/the-towngown-awards
