The Century Club in Syracuse provided an elegant and welcoming backdrop for the close to 40 guests who gathered on Thursday, February 17^th for the Hiscock Legal Aid Society’s inaugural Alumni Event.  Former Board and staff members of the Society joined with a handful of current staff and Board members to reminisce and re-connect.  Past Board President, Denny Baldwin, hosted the event, where spirited conversation and refreshments were free-flowing.

Susan Horn, President & CEO, spoke to the group about the growth of Hiscock Legal Aid from a staff of 7 lawyers when she began working for the organization, more than a quarter of a century ago, to 25 lawyers and 45 full-time staff members, today.  She highlighted the increased breadth of legal services and programs offered by the Society.  In addition to representing clients in housing, domestic relations, unemployment, appeals, Family Court and parole matters, new programs offer legal assistance to underserved individuals dealing with domestic violence, immigration, foreclosure, and cancer.  She reported that the Society closed almost 5000 cases in 2010.

Hon. Stewart F. Hancock, Jr., a member of the organization’s Board for more than 20 years, addressed those gathered, expressing his admiration for and commitment to ensuring the continued high standards, professionalism, and mission of the Society.  Judge Hancock’s father had been one of the founders of the Hiscock Legal Aid Society, in 1949, and the family has continued to support the organization, generously, since its establishment.

Both Judge Hancock and Ms. Horn urged the alums to strengthen their ties with the Society - to serve as ambassadors for Hiscock Legal Aid in the community and to help strengthen its financial outlook in this time of waning government funding, by helping to secure private support for the Society. Many in attendance expressed interest in being part of an active Alumni group to help the Society meet the increasing demand for services to those in need.

The organization has not only provided high quality legal assistance to tens of thousands of low-income individuals since its inception, but it has also served as a training ground for hundreds of successful and prominent legal professionals, as evidenced by the four alumni judges in attendance at the event:  Vanessa Bogan, Melissa Davis,  Joseph Fahey, and Karen Uplinger, and the many others representing varied areas of legal practice including law clerks, government lawyers and private practitioners.  With an average annual caseload of more than 200 each, today’s Hiscock Legal Aid Society lawyers continue to gain the valuable and comprehensive experience that will ensure their place as tomorrow’s leaders of the legal community.

The Hiscock Legal Aid Society remains “Dedicated to the principle that no one in Onondaga County shall be denied justice because of a lack of means.”