“This critical support allows Touro Law to keep our Disaster Relief Clinic open for at least two more years and enables us to better serve the shifting needs of our clients and Long Island residents as claims relief moves from the insurance negotiation phase to litigation. It’s a true win-win for our law students and the community at large,” said Dean Salkin.

The grant includes funding for litigation attorneys to work in the clinic and for another attorney to work on Sandy-related foreclosure issues. In addition, there is a two-year commitment to support a litigation fund needed to enable Touro Law to represent clients appropriately in all phases of litigation.

Touro Law opened the Touro Law Center – Hurricane Emergency Assistance and Referral Team (TLC-HEART) just days after the storm to provide help, referral and assistance to storm victims. To date, TLC-HEART and the newly launched Disaster Relief Clinic, which opened in January, have received more than 1,500 phone calls and/or emails since the storm from community members in need. Legal issues deal with insurance, landlord-tenant problems, mortgage/foreclosure complications among others.

“Thousands of storm victims still need so much help,” said Professor Benjamin Rajotte, Director of the Disaster Relief Clinic. “This money will enable us to continue to help households and bring about positive reforms, while enriching the legal education experience for many law students. We are thrilled and look forward to helping many people reclaim their homes and lives.”