The Hiscock Legal Aid Society is pleased to announce the following promotions and three new additions to our growing staff.

Jody L. Agostinelli has been promoted to Senior Attorney in our Family Court Program where she handles cases involving abuse and neglect; custody and visitation; termination of parental rights; paternity; family offenses; and support violations.  Ms. Agostinelli joined Hiscock Legal Aid in August 2010 as a Staff Attorney.  She is a 2009 graduate of the City University of New York Queens School of Law in New York City.  As an HLAS attorney, Ms. Agostinelli continues to pursue CUNY Law’s mission: “law in the interest of human need.”

Patricia L. Stuart has been promoted to Senior Attorney in our Civil Program. Ms. Stuart began her career as a Staff Attorney with the Society in 2010 and her main practice areas include matrimonial and landlord tenant law; representation of unemployment claimants; and legal services through the Society’s Parent Success Initiative Program. Ms. Stuart’s compassion, dedication and hard work on behalf of her clients make her a tremendous asset to the Society and to the community. Ms. Stuart is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, and immediately prior to joining Hiscock, she was a solo practitioner in Syracuse.

Cynthia M. Garrow has joined Hiscock Legal Aid’s Civil Program as a Program Coordinator. Ms. Garrow was offered this position at the Society after serving for four months as a Temporary Finance Assistant. She came to the organization from Partners In Parenting, Inc in Camillus where she worked as Assistant Director for six years. Prior to this, she was an Administrative/Bookkeeping Assistant, Branch Office Manager, and Receptionist at Landmark Flooring Concepts, Inc in Syracuse.

We also welcome Colleen Murphy to our Civil Program as a Program Coordinator. Ms. Murphy has worked as an Administrative Assistant and Customer Service Representative at Just The Right Stuff in Syracuse and as an Office Assistant at Lifetouch in East Syracuse. She is a volunteer at Vera House in Syracuse and she graduated, summa cum laude, with a degree in criminal justice from Keuka College.

After completing a two month internship with Hiscock Legal Aid, Joseph F. Schuss has joined our Family Court Program as a Program Coordinator. Prior to joining the Society, Mr. Schuss spent 14 years as a Private Investigator at S.A. Showers Investigations, Inc. in Minoa. We are confident that he will well utilize his skills in research, investigation, and attention to detail in his duties as Program Coordinator.

As demand for our services increases, staff expansion is vital for us to continue to providequality free legal services to those in our community who could not otherwise afford them.