Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano recently thanked students from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University for their work on the Nassau Business Recovery Task Force’s new Disaster Recovery Clinic.
Part of a joint effort between the Task Force and the law school, the clinic offers free assistance to local small businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy.
County Executive Mangano stated, “There is a cascade of legal issues that have arisen in the wake of the Hurricane that are affecting small businesses. Many businesses are not positioned to seek paid legal assistance and we are hopeful that the Disaster Recovery Clinic they can get the legal services they need. I thank Hofstra School of Law for participating in this effort as we help Nassau businesses rebuild.”
Through this faculty-supervised experiential learning program, second- and third-year law students primarily will offer transactional legal assistance, such as drafting and negotiating contracts, and on a wide range of legal issues that have arisen in Sandy’s wake, such as leases and renovations.
The students attend a weekly a seminar taught by Michael Haber, the clinic’s instructor, as well as do hands-on legal work. Under the program, staffers at the Nassau Business Recovery Task Force, along with its professional volunteers from banks and accounting firms, sort through requests for assistance and send potential cases to the Hofstra Law clinic.
Additionally, small businesses interested in these services - including nonprofits and community groups - can apply directly for the free legal assistance.
Small businesses interested in these legal services should contact Kathleen Conti at or 516-463-5934 or Kathleen.A.Conti@hofstra.edu for further information or to apply.
Since the Nassau Business Recovery Task Force was established, hundreds of calls have been received on its hotline: (516) 571-1745. Businesses in need of assistance also can email LEADS@NassauIDA.orgor visit www.nassaubackinbusiness.org.
