Hofstra Law student Kera Murphy helps elderly keep homes

Hofstra Law School, Hempstead, N.Y. —

When Hofstra Law student Kera Murphy of Wading River, New York, is not wading through legal textbooks, she is advising clients at the Senior Unit of the Nassau and Suffolk County Law Services, where she serves as a pro bono law clerk. 

Since the economic crisis, Murphy appreciates "the roof over her head more than ever before," she said.  As part of her job at the Senior Unit, Murphy is involved in protecting elderly people from losing their homes.  "There are foreclosure cases as well as cases of elderly tenants not receiving heat in their apartments" said Murphy.

That's where the Senior Unit steps in.  "The Senior Unit argues in court on behalf of these senior citizens who have nowhere else to turn.  Recently, we were able to help a wheelchair-bound woman stay in
her home," said Murphy.  "There's a great satisfaction in this work because we are making sure these elderly people are taken care of and we are making an impact on their lives."

Murphy’s interest in helping the elderly is rooted in her personal history.  “I lost both of my grandfathers during my senior year of college, which made me want to go to law school even more and now I plan on practicing elder law,” she said.  Murphy signed up for the pro bono project to gain valuable experience and to give back to her community.  She is one of dozens of Hofstra Law students who participate in volunteer work. 

Hofstra Law’s numerous pro-bono student groups include The Public Justice Foundation, The Domestic Violence Courtroom Advocates Project, The Law Students Disaster Recovery Network, The Unemployment Action Center and The Volunteers for Income Tax Assistance program.  Hofstra Law also offers a loan assistance program for graduates who work in public interest. 

Hofstra Law was recently named one of the country’s best public interest law schools by preLaw magazine, a national publication aimed at prospective law students.   Among the 75 law schools that made the list, Hofstra ranked 11th.