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Fellowships
The Hon. Hugh C. Humphreys Memorial Fellowship is an annual summer fellowship offered by the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York (LASMNY) for 1L and 2L law students. The fellowship focuses on housing justice and tenants’ rights.
Hon. Hugh C. Humphreys Memorial Fellowship
There are three fellowship openings, with one fellow assigned to each of LASMNY’s larger offices in Utica, Binghamton, and Syracuse, New York. The full-time fellowship lasts for 10 weeks, from June to August each summer and offers compensation of $10,000.00.
This fellowship honors the Honorable Hugh C. Humphreys (1934-2023), a respected jurist, scholar, and advocate for justice. A graduate of Villanova University and Columbia Law School, Judge Humphreys served as an Assistant United States Attorney and a Madison County Court Judge for 17 years. He also taught at Syracuse University College of Law for over 30 years.
After retiring from the bench, he volunteered for more than 20 years at LASMNY’s Utica Office, assisting 514 clients and donating over 7,500 hours of pro bono service. He was recognized with awards from the New York State Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation for his pro bono work.
Judge Humphreys was known for his sharp intellect, keen sense of humor, unwavering integrity, and his passion for history, particularly the abolitionist movement.
Essential Fellowship Functions
- Work with experienced attorneys on direct legal services, community outreach, and impact litigation to assist tenants with issues like eviction, housing discrimination, and unsafe living conditions;
- Research NY housing law;
- Draft legal documents;
- Interview and advise clients under supervision;
- Participate in court proceedings and negotiations;
- Develop legal education materials.
Job Qualifications
- Applicants should be 1L or 2L students at an accredited law school at the time of application
- Demonstrate commitment to housing justice, tenants’ rights, or public interest law
- Have strong legal research, writing, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
To apply, submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for two references electronically to Christina Reilly at christina.reilly@lasmny.org by April 15 of each calendar year. Applicants should indicate their preferred office and whether they would consider other assignments in their cover letter. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and a writing sample may be requested for those selected for an interview.