Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic
The Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic provides students with an opportunity to represent incarcerated individuals in second-look proceedings and to advocate for criminal system reforms in New York State.
The clinic serves to expand criminal defense and reform capacity in Western New York. Student attorneys in the Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic will take the lead on client casework on behalf of incarcerated individuals, in addition to policy advocacy.
Student attorneys represent incarcerated individuals in second-look proceedings. For their first semester, students will represent clients seeking resentencing under the 2019 Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, preparing for hearings before the Board of Parole, or appealing parole or resentencing denials. Student attorneys will be assigned a client and will work on preparing their clients’ resentencing applications, parole packet, or appeal, as well as exploring other avenues of relief. Student attorneys will also work on a policy advocacy matter. Clinic work will involve visiting clients incarcerated in New York correctional facilities. Clinic students must have availability on Fridays to visit with clients.
Alexandra Harrington
Director of the Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic; Director of the Innocence and Justice Project; Associate Professor
Clinical Legal Education
Annabel Mireles
Clinical Adjunct Faculty/Staff Attorney
Clinical Legal Education
Jerome Wright
Parole Reform Consultant
Clinical Legal Education
507 O'Brian Hall
Phone: 716-645-2167
Carmen Cong
Social Work Consultant
Clinical Legal Education
507 O'Brian Hall
Phone: 716-645-2167
Lila Rollo
Social Work Consultant
Clinical Legal Education
507 O'Brian Hall
Phone: 716-645-2167
The Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic is a part of the Second Look Network. This nationwide network connects advocates who represent incarcerated individuals seeking relief from long prison sentences. The network offers resources, training, and opportunities for collaboration.
The Clinic is a member of the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice Steering Committee. As part of the Steering Committee, we help coordinate and organize advocacy for parole justice in Western New York. The Campaign is focused, in part, on passage of two bills that would promote more meaningful release opportunities for people incarcerated in New York State: Fair & Timely Parole and Elder Parole.
Professor Harrington is also a co-chair of the statewide defenders’ task force on the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act. The task force is composed of advocates who represent individuals in DVSJA proceedings, and it aims to produce resources for other attorneys working under the new law.
In addition, the clinic partners with the following organizations: