“We are so grateful to Robin Hood for this grant,” said Dean Patricia Salkin. “The Disaster Relief Clinic is already hard at work serving victims who have complex legal issues related to the disaster. There is a high demand for legal services in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and I am proud that Touro Law is able to serve the community while training our law students. We are committed to this project and now, thanks to this grant, we are able to continue the clinic through the year.”

The Disaster Relief Clinic assists those with legal problems arising from Hurricane Sandy, the recent superstorm that affected the tri-state area in October 2012 causing widespread devastation and destruction. Students work under the supervision of Visiting Professor of Law Benjamin Rajotte to provide no cost legal assistance with insurance claims, environmental remediation, government assistance programs including FEMA, insurance and consumer fraud concerns and other legal problems that are a result of the storm. Students will also visit shelters and community organizations and work with elected officials to provide education about and referrals for available benefits.

Founded in 1988, Robin Hood is New York’s largest poverty-fighting organization, and has focused on finding, funding and creating programs and schools that generate meaningful results for families in New York’s poorest neighborhoods. The Robin Hood Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund has granted tens of millions of dollars to organizations throughout New York’s tri-state region that help individuals and families recover from the devastating effects of the storm.

Touro Law’s clinical program teaches practice-ready skills required for effective advocacy while providing no cost legal services for the community. Students work under close faculty supervision to provide legal assistance to actual clients. Currently, Touro Law offers several clinics including; Advanced Bankruptcy Clinic, Civil Rights Litigation Clinic, Elder Law Clinic, Family Law Clinic, Mortgage Foreclosure and Bankruptcy Law Clinic, Not-for-Profit Corporation Law Clinic, and the new Disaster Relief Clinic. The initial funding for the clinic was provided by a generous donation from Reva and Martin Oliner.