
Nicholas Leonard
Host: Great Lakes Environmental Law Center
Sponsor: Deere & Co., Lane & Waterman LLP, Schiff Hardin LLP
Gregory built the capacity of nonprofits through a community-driven, transactional legal service model in order to help transform economically challenged communities in Westchester County, New York.
Westchester County, New York has one of the largest income gaps in the country, with significant disparities between wealthy and racially homogeneous communities and economically challenged and racially heterogeneous communities. 18.3% of Westchester’s black residents and 19.4% of its Latinx residents live in poverty, compared to a 6% poverty rate among white residents. Many low-income residents rely on local nonprofit organizations to help meet their basic needs, making it crucial that the nonprofits themselves are strong and well-run. This Project endeavors to help transform Westchester’s neediest communities by providing comprehensive transactional legal assistance to existing and newly-forming nonprofits in economically challenged municipalities.
Gregory developed a workshop curriculum to educate emerging non-profits on the basics of running a successful organization. In total he provided legal transactional services to 18 non-profit groups which served 6 towns in Westchester County. Now These groups provide programming for their communities that included: literacy and language education, emergency shelters for the homeless, S.T.E.M. education, mental health assistance, programs to combat hunger, volunteer services, youth and family services, Autism awareness and family support, and support for local artists.
Following his Fellowship, Gregory is starting a solo practice to work with entrepreneurs and creatives in New York. Part of his practice will focus on helping low-income clients through a “low-bono” service model.
Host: Great Lakes Environmental Law Center
Sponsor: Deere & Co., Lane & Waterman LLP, Schiff Hardin LLP
Host: Lawyers Alliance for New York
Sponsor: Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
Host: Public Counsel
Sponsor: Arnold & Porter Foundation
Host: Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A
Sponsor: AIG, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP