named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Agricultural Worker Project
Offers legal support to farmworkers on wage claims, housing conditions, workplace safety, and H-2A visa program rights; includes mobile outreach and WhatsApp-based intake
Disability Benefits Advocacy
Assists clients with applications, appeals, and hearings for SSI and SSDI benefits, focusing on those whose health and income stability are at risk
Elder Law Services
Provides free estate planning assistance including wills, powers of attorney, and health care proxies for low-income seniors in Central New York
Family Law & Domestic Violence Support
Provides legal representation in cases involving domestic violence, divorce, child custody, and support; connects survivors with trauma-informed services
Foreclosure Prevention
Helps homeowners negotiate with lenders, apply for assistance grants, and defend against foreclosure through legal representation and financial counseling
Immigration Legal Services
Supports immigrants with citizenship applications, VAWA self-petitions, T- and U-visas, green card renewals, and employment authorization
Tenant Defense Project
Provides legal representation to tenants facing eviction in Utica, Binghamton, and Syracuse; includes outreach, court advocacy, and education on tenant rights
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Pro Bono Legal Representation and Support 3 activities
- Client intake and eligibility screeningOperates a HelpLine and online application system to receive legal assistance requests and conducts screening of applications to determine eligibility for services, including through a reverse referral program that conducts phone intakes for pro bono legal assistance.
- Community education and legal outreachConducts outreach and community education through FAQs, educational brochures, videos, and presentations to help clients understand civil legal issues related to housing, disability benefits, elder law, domestic violence, and farmworker rights, including via in-person outreach and WhatsApp video calls.
- Provision of free civil legal servicesProvides free legal assistance, including legal advice, emergency services, and legal representation, to low- and moderate-income individuals across 13 counties in Central New York in civil legal matters such as housing, family law, consumer issues, disability benefits, elder law, immigration, and veterans' benefits.
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Tenant Legal Advocacy & Support Services 1 activity
- Legal representation and advocacy for specific populationsAssigns advocates and provides legal representation to vulnerable populations including tenants facing eviction or unsafe housing conditions, homeowners in foreclosure, survivors of domestic violence, farmworkers and H-2A workers on wage and employment issues, and older adults with elder law needs.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$13.27M
Contributions & grants$13.15M99%
Program service revenue$64K0%
Investment income$2K0%
Other revenue$56K
expenses
Total expenses$13.28M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$9.09M
Grants paid out$2.20M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.44M
Cash$48K
Investments$0
Liabilities$8.29M
Net assets$-848K
Liquid reserves0.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +31.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL J LUPIA ESQ | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $196K |
| CINDY DOMINGUE-HENDRICKSON | DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION | 35 | $188K |
| CHERYL EDWARDS | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 35 | $174K |
| ARLENE SANDERS | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 35 | $169K |
| CHRISTINA REILLY | MANAGING ATTORNEY | 35 | $161K |
| CHRISTINE MCCLEAN | DIRECTOR OF HR | 35 | $147K |
| NOURAN ZOHDY | FINANCE MANAGER | 35 | $132K |
board members · 18
- ANGELA CARTER — DIRECTOR
- ANNE BOGARDUS — 2ND VICE PRESIDENT
- DANIEL B BERMAN ESQ — 1ST VICE PRSIDENT
- DANIEL KORNFELD ESQ — DIRECTOR
- DERRICK JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
- JOANNE PIERSMA ESQ — DIRECTOR
- KIM MILLS — DIRECTOR
- LAWRENCE HASSELER ESQ — TREASURER
- LUCY JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
- MARY ELLEN LUKER — DIRECTOR
- MARY LANNON FANGIO ESQ — PRESIDENT
- MATTHEW SKINNER ESQ — DIRECTOR
- RANDY J SCHAAL ESQ — DIRECTOR
- RONALD LANOUETTE JR ESQ — DIRECTOR
- SCOTT CLIPPINGER ESQ — DIRECTOR
- STEWART WEISMAN ESQ — DIRECTOR
- SUBA VISWANATHAN ESQ — DIRECTOR
- WALTER BOWLER ESQ — SECRETARY
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- Fort Drum Military Installation Partner — Location serving military families and veterans, indicating a connection to Fort Drum-affiliated populations.
- Jefferson Community College Partner — Local institution within the service area, suggesting engagement with student and academic communities.
- Legal Services Corporation Government — Funder and national affiliate supporting legal aid services.
- Legal Services Corporation Government — Provides funding and supports initiatives such as Heartland Disaster Help, which LASMNY promotes.
- Legal Services Corporation Government — Receives funding and support from the Legal Services Corporation.
- Legal Services Corporation Government — Recipient of funding or affiliation as indicated by logo display
- New York State Bar Association Government — Collaborates on Attorney Emeritus status for senior volunteer attorneys.
- WhatsApp Partner — Used as a communication tool for scheduling and conducting video calls with farmworkers
- lenders Partner — Negotiates with lenders on behalf of homeowners to prevent foreclosure.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Civil Legal Aid as Prevention of Basic Needs Crisesmethodology: civil-legal-aid-for-basic-needsBy intervening in civil legal problems related to housing, income, and healthcare, we prevent downstream crises such as homelessness, domestic violence, and loss of essential benefits, because legal stability is foundational to physical and economic safety.
- Client-Centered Trauma-Informed Advocacymethodology: trauma_informed_legal_servicesBy tailoring legal support to the emotional and psychological realities of clients—especially survivors of trauma—we produce better engagement and outcomes because services are delivered in a way that reduces re-traumatization and builds trust.
- Community-Integrated Legal Servicesmethodology: community-integrated_legal_servicesBy embedding legal aid within the cultural and social fabric of local communities, we produce more effective and accessible services because trust, cultural fluency, and shared rhythms of life increase engagement and responsiveness to legal needs.
- Mobile and Remote Outreach for Underserved Populationsmethodology: mobile_outreachBy bringing legal services directly to isolated or mobile populations like farmworkers through paralegal outreach, we increase access and utilization because proximity and cultural congruence reduce systemic barriers to justice.