PRO BONO AND GIVING BACK (PB&GB) AT HSW
HSW believes in giving back, and that access to justice for the underserved is integral to a fair legal system. These principles fuel our Pro Bono and Giving Back program (PB&GB), led by Andrew St. Laurent and our pro bono coordinator Martin Braxton.
Our work with pro bono clients and community groups includes representing defendants in criminal cases where wrongful convictions, unfair or excessive charges and sentences are involved, assisting local organizations obtain 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status, contributing funding to vital community organizations in New York, and sitting on the boards of charitable organizations. We do not stop there; we also offer annual paid internships to a diverse group of pre-law undergraduates.
We believe all of this is good for the community, and provides rewarding opportunities for our lawyers to put their experience and energy toward serving the public.
We’ve included some examples of our recent PB&GB initiatives below.
WRIT OF ACTUAL INNOCENCE OBTAINED FOR ANTHONY HALL
Anthony Hall, wrongfully convicted of a 1991 murder, had his petition for a writ of actual innocence granted in March 2023 following an evidentiary hearing in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Mr. Hall was represented pro bono by Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler LLP partner Barry Pollack.
In Mr. Hall’s 1992 trial, prosecutors presented two purported eyewitnesses who identified Hall as the shooter, but there was no physical evidence tying Hall to the murder or apparent motive. Mr. Hall was convicted, sentenced to 50 years in prison. He served 27 years before being paroled in 2017. Mr. Hall, who has always maintained his innocence, sought the assistance of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, which investigated his case. One of the two purported eyewitnesses had told the police that he did not arrive on the scene until after the shooting and did not see who committed the crime, but this statement to the police was not disclosed to the defense. At the writ of actual innocence hearing, questioned by Mr. Pollack, this witness admitted he only later identified Hall as the shooter under pressure from Baltimore police detectives and had not, in fact, witnessed the crime. His testimony was corroborated at the hearing by testimony from someone who was with him at the time. She testified they both arrived together, well after the shooting and that neither of them was present when the shooting took place. Mr. Pollack also presented another witness, who was an actual eyewitness to the shooting, who testified she saw the perpetrator and it was not Mr. Hall. She had also been interviewed by the police, but her identity and statements had not been disclosed to the defense,
Based on this newly discovered evidence, Judge Charles J. Peters granted Mr. Hall’s petition and reversed the convictions. The Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office subsequently dismissed the case altogether.
Pollack’s co-counsel was Margaret E. Abernethy, of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, and Reyhan Watson, of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
PAID UNDERGRAD INTERNSHIPS
We work to ensure access to education and work experience by providing paid internship training for a diverse group of pre-law undergraduates. PB&GB creates opportunities for undergraduates to collaborate with our teams on cases, shadow our lawyers and gain hands-on exposure to the practice of law — all while making a difference in the process.
TEAMING WITH PUBLIC DEFENDER ORGANIZATIONS
We are proud of our ongoing partnership with The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, a not-for-profit public defender service that provides legal representation to Harlem residents. Our lawyers played an important role in working with one of the organization’s clients, Anthony S. The firm helped draft a pre-plea memorandum requesting reduced charges given Anthony’s good character and status in the community. The firm’s efforts ensured the dismissal of murder charges against Anthony S., as well as a much shorter sentence on a plea to a reduced charge of manslaughter.
Members of the firm working on this matter include partner Andrew St. Laurent, pro bono coordinator Martin Braxton, and Dr. Monica Delgado.
MURALS FOR GOOD
Murals for Good, a sponsored 501(c)3 organization, is a dedicated group of New Yorkers led by founder May Siu, that is actively involved in The Downtown Chinatown Revitalization Program. As part of our pro bono practice, the firm is providing legal services as advisors, including reviewing contracts and reimbursement process with the State of New York.
Members of the firm working on this matter include associate Juannell Riley, and pro bono coordinator Martin Braxton.
THE HENDRICKS-ELLISON SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Brandon Hendricks-Ellison was a promising 17-year-old student and basketball player who was shot and killed in the Bronx in 2020. HSW helped family members and the community launch the Hendricks-Ellison Scholarship Fund, Inc., and secure 501(c)(3) status.
"Days after his high school graduation, our beloved Brandon Hendricks-Ellison was the unintended victim of a senseless shooting. To honor his life, family and close friends sought to pay it forward by establishing a scholarship foundation in his name. Upon hearing our desire, Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler quickly moved to provide pro bono assistance to guide our actions and prepare the required documents. Their high level of professional service was only eclipsed by their sensitivity and understanding of our extreme grief. The synergy of family and law firm during this trying time could not have been more efficient. Kudos to Afrodite Fountas, Martin Braxton and the entire Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler team. We are eternally grateful."
Noel Ellison
Principal and Co-Founder
Brandon Hendricks-Ellison Scholarship Foundation
Members of the firm that worked on this matter include firm associate Afrodite Fountas, pro bono coordinator Martin Braxton, and partner Joseph Gallagher.
Click here for more information about the Hendricks-Ellision Fund and a recent ceremony that rechristened a New York City street in his name.
The League for Fastpitch Softball
The League for Fastpitch Softball helps high school girls in the New York area achieve success and reach their potential in softball, while supporting their high school and collegiate endeavors and ambitions. HSW assisted the League in securing a certificate of incorporation allowing it to raise funds as a charitable organization.
"Deciding to start a nonprofit was easy. Figuring what to do and how to do it - not so much. The incredible team at HSW made the process painless. While Ashley, Afrodite, and Martin were hard at work getting our nonprofit incorporated, we were able to work hard getting our nonprofit through a successful first year. The League for Fastpitch Softball exists today thanks to the pro bono efforts of HSW."
Mike Perez
Founder
The League for Fastpitch Softball
Firm associates Ashley Robinson and Afrodite Fountas, pro bono coordinator Martin Braxton, and partner Joseph Gallagher lead our charge for the League.
Click here for more information about the League and their great work.
ONE HUNDRED BLACK MEN OF NEW YORK
OHBM of New York is the New York chapter of a national community service organization. For more than 50 years, OHBM has worked with government, corporations, and community leaders to transform economic and social policy, as well as launch independent programs and organizations that serve low-income communities. Its members include leaders across the business, political, and non-profit sectors in New York. The organization also provides scholarships, educational support, economic empowerment, mentoring, and health and wellness initiatives.
HSW has a working relationship with OHBM of New York, through our pro bono coordinator Martin Braxton.
“I would also like to personally thank my college alumni friend Martin Braxton. I have known Mr. Braxton since the 1980s and he is the epitome of success when we are given the opportunity. Mr. Braxton is a mentor and leader in the black community to hundreds of student athletes, and we look forward to working with him in our various youth programs.”
Michael J. Garner
President
OHBM of New York
CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY LICENSE INITIATIVE
New York State's recently-passed Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act provides opportunities for neighborhoods and individuals caught in the crossfire of the so-called War on Drugs — including those with prior cannabis convictions — to take advantage of New York’s legal cannabis market and funding opportunities by applying for reduced-fee licenses. Our cannabis lawyers work with social equity license candidates of diverse backgrounds at all stages of New York’s process. On behalf of these pro bono clients, we leverage decades of experience with business formation and cannabis licensing to help set their businesses up for success.
Members of the firm who work with HSW’s social equity license candidates include pro bono coordinator Martin Braxton and partner Megan Dubatowka.
ANIMAL CARE CENTERS OF NEW YORK
New York City residents come to Animal Care Centers of New York every day for reasons as varied as reclaiming lost pets, adopting new furry family members, and getting the resources they need to keep and raise their pets at home. Firm partner Yonaton Aronoff has been a member of the organization’s board since 2011, and helps Animal Care Centers deliver on its mission of helping New Yorkers from all walks of life obtain, maintain, and retain their animal friends.
US WAR DOGS
US War Dogs provides support to US military working dogs throughout and after their service. The group provides care packages to deployed K-9 teams, supplies equipment, supports a free prescription drug program for dogs after their service, transports dogs back to the United States, and provides homes for retired K-9s. The organization also trains service dogs for military veterans.
HSW supports US War Dogs by providing treats to retired dogs and through charitable giving, primarily through a partnership with DRA Sunshine. We also featured the organization in our 2021 holiday message, introducing our friends, associates and clients to US War Dogs and the valuable work it does in our communities.
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK PRO BONO PROGRAM
At the request of the Chief Judge of the Southern District of New York and the SDNY pro bono program, HSW serves as pro bono counsel to pro se litigants pursuing civil rights and discrimination claims. As pro bono counsel, the firm offers its trial and negotiation experience to serve the Court by providing legal services to plaintiffs with important constitutional and civil rights at stake that do not have the means to hire an attorney.
Representative matters include serving as mediation counsel on behalf of a long-term employee of the U.S. Postal Services, who alleged discrimination based on her race and gender, and serving as mediation counsel for a former employee of a large New York hospital pursuing religious discrimination claims.
The SDNY pro bono initiative is led by pro bono coordinator Martin Braxton and partner Megan Dubatowka.