Four Decades for Justice
June 27, 2023
On May 15, 2023, the New York City Department of Homeless Services (“DHS”) implemented a policy change, DHS‑PB‑2023‑006, altering the eligibility process for families seeking to stay in homeless shelters and ensuring such families are not turned away from shelter in a time of need. Cravath, working on a pro bono basis, partnered with the New York Legal Assistance Group to help secure this change, which followed a formal complaint, a demand letter shared with New York City and State officials and years of negotiation.
The new policy reverses a previous practice whereby families could be denied shelter under the pretense that they could stay with a third party, such as a distant relative or acquaintance, even if that third party refused to house the family and DHS was aware of such refusal. The policy change implemented will help families become eligible for shelter more quickly, which creates additional eligibility for rental subsidies that would facilitate their transition to permanent housing.
The Cravath team was led by partners Michael A. Paskin and Lauren M. Rosenberg.
Deals & Cases
February 22, 2024
On February 13, 2024, the New York State Appellate Division, First Department, reversed the convictions of Tommy Davis, who was simultaneously prosecuted for two unrelated incidents involving firearms. Cravath represented Mr. Davis on a pro bono basis alongside co‑counsel at the Office of the Appellate Defender.
Deals & Cases
December 28, 2023
On November 28, 2023, the Queens County Criminal Court entered an order on consent resentencing pro bono client A.M. and securing her release. A.M. had been incarcerated since June 2010. She was originally sentenced in June 2011, pursuant to a plea agreement, to a 20‑year determinate sentence plus five years’ post‑release supervision for first‑degree manslaughter after her romantic partner, who had subjected her to severe domestic abuse, killed her former partner, who had sex trafficked her and also subjected her to severe domestic abuse.
Deals & Cases
October 19, 2023
On August 30, 2023, Judge Leo A. Finston of the Newark Immigration Court granted asylum to a Cravath pro bono client persecuted by gang members in El Salvador.
Deals & Cases
October 12, 2023
On October 4, 2023, an immigration judge (IJ) granted asylum to Cravath pro bono client Johanna R., a transgender woman from El Salvador who had been abused by gang members based on her identity.
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