Dear Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo Community,

This summer, we're proud to take part in Give 716, a regional day of giving hosted by the Buffalo Bills and Sabres Foundations. With thanks to Lamparelli Construction Company, Inc., Aebly & Associates and Wash Duffield Companies, Inc., your gift can go twice as far. Each has generously pledged up to $1,000 in matching funds during the campaign.

All of us at Legal Aid are incredibly grateful for their support and their unwavering belief in the power of community.

We’re also excited to welcome Ian Harrington as our new Deputy Executive Director for the Criminal Defense Unit. Ian brings nearly 20 years of experience in criminal defense and public service.

In recent weeks, our team joined the Buffalo Pride Parade, Juneteenth Parade, United Way Day of Caring, and our Civil Legal Services Unit partnered with Senator April N.M. Baskin to lead a free wills clinic for local residents.

Thank you for supporting justice for all.

Sincerely, 

Give 716: Double Your Impact for Legal Aid Clients in Crisis

Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo is proud to join Give 716 again this year. From 7:16 PM on July 15 to 11:59 PM on July 16, this 28-hour giving event, created by the Buffalo Bills and Sabres Foundations, rallies community support for local nonprofits.

We hope to build on last year's success and provide emergency support for clients facing urgent needs.

Donations will help us supply:

Donors can also unlock exclusive incentives like an autographed Josh Allen jersey, signed Sabres jerseys, Sabres and Bandits tickets, and local museum/cultural gifts by giving various amounts at certain times between July 15 and 16. You can view the donation incentive schedule here. 

If you don't think you'll be able to give during the campaign, please consider donating early by clicking the button below. While you may miss out on some of the fun incentives, your gift will still be difference making for our clients. 

Harrington named Deputy Executive Director of Criminal Defense Unit

Ian brings nearly 20 years of experience in criminal defense and public service. He most recently served as Attorney in Charge of the Western New York Regional Support Center at the NYS Office of Indigent Legal Services, supporting providers across nine counties. He also spent over a decade in private criminal defense, with experience in both state and federal courts.

Ian chairs the Erie County Bar Association’s Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee and Criminal Law Committee and is active in several defender associations. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University at Buffalo School of Law and is pursuing his MBA at UB’s School of Management.

We’re thrilled to welcome his leadership, insight, and deep commitment to justice.

Celebrating Alicia Artis' Excellence in Advocacy! 

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo is proud to celebrate our incredible Child Advocate, Alicia Artis, who has been honored with the President's Award from the District Parent Coordinating Council (DPCC) in recognition of her outstanding commitment and dedication to the students and families of the Buffalo Public Schools during the 2024–2025 school year.

In her role at Legal Aid, Alicia passionately represents children in suspension and discipline hearings, CSE (Committee on Special Education) meetings, and a wide range of education-related legal matters. Her tireless advocacy ensures that every child’s right to a fair and supportive education is protected.

Congratulations, Alicia! Your work uplifts students, empowers families, and strengthens our community.

Volunteering in the Communities We Serve

Seventeen members of the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo team rolled up their sleeves to give back during United Way’s annual Day of Caring, which is Western New York’s largest community service event.

Our staff proudly volunteered at three local nonprofit organizations: the Family Justice Center, Buffalo Urban League, and Jericho Road/VIVE. Their efforts supported each organization’s vital work serving some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

At the Family Justice Center, volunteers organized the pantry, packed Totes of Love bags, and cleaned and reorganized the Hope Shop. At Jericho Road/VIVE, they helped clean the kitchen, dining hall, lobby, and sunroom, and also assisted with painting a small bathroom. At the Buffalo Urban League, our team organized the food pantry and completed light cleaning tasks to help improve the space for clients.

We are proud of our staff for living our mission both in and out of the courtroom. Thank you to everyone who participated and made a difference.

Legal Aid on the March in June

On Sunday, June 2, staff from the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo proudly marched in Buffalo’s annual Pride Parade alongside our friends at PeacePrints of WNY. Together, we celebrated love, visibility, and equality while reaffirming our commitment to standing with the LGBTQ+ community.

It was a day filled with joy, energy, and unity. We were also honored to walk in support of a more just Western New York for all.

Later in the month, Legal Aid once again partnered with PeacePrints of WNY, this time for Buffalo’s Juneteenth Parade, where we proudly joined Council Member Zeneta B. Everhart in commemorating Black freedom, resilience, and progress. Marching together in this powerful celebration reinforced our shared dedication to justice, equity, and the ongoing fight for civil rights.

Special thanks to PeacePrints for partnering with us, and to everyone who cheered us on along both parade routes!

Expanding Impact: Criminal Defense Unit Takes on Felony Cases, Advances Immigration Advocacy, and Promotes Evidence-Based Reform

On July 1, 2025, the Criminal Defense Unit began handling all C felony cases in Buffalo as part of the County Executive’s expansion plan. Six internal attorneys were promoted, and the unit is actively recruiting attorneys, social workers, supervisors, and investigators.

On June 12, Wedade Abdallah presented at the ILS ACP Summit in Albany as part of a panel on counsel’s duty to obtain immigration advice for non-U.S. born clients. She also led a breakout session on creating protocols to identify non-citizen clients and ensure timely referrals to RIAC.

Last month, Lauren Siminski, LMSW, joined Endeavor Health Services at NATCON25 to present on a collaborative training program that promotes evidence-based care, harm reduction, and person-centered practices in treatment courts.

Legal Aid Hosts End-of-Life Planning Event with NY State Senator Baskin

On June 20, 2025, the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo partnered with New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin to host End of Life Planning Part 1 at the Cheektowaga Senior Center.

The event offered free, one-on-one consultations to help attendees prepare wills, living wills, powers of attorney, and health care proxies.

The goal was to help individuals plan ahead so their wishes would be honored. The event was made possible through support from the NYS Attorney General’s HOPP Program, the IOLA Fund, and local leaders.

Participants were also invited to return for Part 2 on July 25, 2025, to finalize their documents.

Thank you to all who helped make this event a success.

Kristin Markarian Secures Appellate Victory in People v Akbar, Affirming Client’s Rights and Dismissing Prosecution’s Appeal

We’re proud to recognize a significant legal victory by Kristin Markarian, Staff Attorney in our Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit.

In People v Akbar, Kristin successfully defended our client in an appeal brought by the prosecution, resulting in the Appellate Division, Fourth Department unanimously dismissing the People’s appeal. The court found the case moot after the client pleaded guilty to remaining counts, and determined there was no exception warranting further review.

This decision not only upheld the trial court’s dismissal of several serious charges but also spared our client from prolonged litigation and unnecessary risk. Kristin’s skilled advocacy and deep understanding of appellate law were instrumental in protecting her client’s rights and securing a just outcome.

Her work is a powerful example of the impact Legal Aid attorneys make every day in advancing fairness and justice for those we serve.

Holistic Representation Team: Advancing Justice Through Stability

The Holistic Representation Team continues to deliver life-changing results through an interdisciplinary approach focused on stability and dignity. This month, our social workers used mitigation reports to help clients avoid jail and reduce sentencing, showing the value of advocacy rooted in compassion.

Four clients have been placed in stable housing, and several others were referred to the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) homeownership program. While safe rentals are important, we know homeownership offers lasting stability and a path to building equity.

Thank you to the Urban League, whose internship program helped one of our clients launch a youth initiative under another local nonprofit. The program will be fully funded by the Urban League, showing what’s possible when we work together.

Holistic defense is not just a legal strategy, it’s a commitment to rebuilding lives.

Being A Part of a Legacy

These heartfelt tributes reflect the deep connections that inspire our work. Please join us in taking a moment to acknowledge those honored and remembered through these gifts.

Thank you for supporting justice for all!

Legal Aid's Criminal Defense Unit

John Feroleto

Mary Good

Rosalind Ryan

If you'd like to make a gift in someone's honor or memory, click the button below. 

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