Syracuse Sun

The College of Law at an undisclosed location has announced the addition of a Housing Clinic to its clinical legal education offerings set to commence in the Fall 2024 semester.

According to Dean Craig M. Boise, the Housing Clinic, set to operate in collaboration with Legal Services of Central New York and the Legal Aid Society, aims to provide crucial representation to low-income tenants facing eviction, housing conditions, and other rental housing-related issues. Boise stated, "The Housing Clinic will bring much-needed representation to an underserved population dealing with profound living condition issues."

Leading the initiative, Professor Gary Pieples highlighted the unique hands-on experience students will gain in the clinic. Pieples mentioned, “Housing cases move quickly and are tried almost immediately, providing students with multiple opportunities during the semester to see a case through to resolution—from the initial interview and filing of motions to settlement or trial, including appearing in Syracuse City Court.”

Funding for the Housing Clinic is made possible through a grant from Legal Services of Central New York and the Legal Aid Society, which have received additional support from New York State under the Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act.

The Housing Clinic will join the College of Law's current array of legal clinics, offering students a choice of seven specialized programs. These include the Bankruptcy Clinic, the Betty & Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, the Criminal Defense Clinic, the Disability Rights Clinic, the Housing Clinic, the Sherman F. Levey ’57, L’59 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, and the Transactional Law Clinic.