Advisory Board

An Advisory Board consisting of a widespread cross-section of persons, at least 50% of whom are poor persons or their legitimate representatives, has the responsibility under NYSDA's by-laws of advising the Executive Director concerning program activities of the Association. The Board, which assists in the design, execution, and evaluation of community programs, was created in 1979 at the time NYSDA's Board of Directors first enunciated an organizational commitment to community legal education. As staff worked in Freeport, Hempstead, Roosevelt, Great Neck, Port Washington, Westbury and elsewhere in grassroots efforts to establish a community legal education network, the Advisory Board was created to assist with these efforts and help NYSDA carry on a meaningful dialogue among defenders, the public and the client community. Revitalized beginning in 1998, the Advisory Board assisted NYSDA in holding fact-finding hearings about public defense, promulgated the Client-Centered Standards for Representation in 2005, and has begun a project to help Chief Defenders create or reinvigorate local client advisory boards. The current Chair of the Advisory Board is Jay Coleman. The Chair Emeritus is Marion Hathaway..