Founded in 1993, The Elder Law Clinic
was created to address the legal needs of Queens' senior citizens
and provide Clinic students with the opportunity to develop
essential legal skills, practical legal knowledge and professional
responsibility while serving the community.
Professor
Ann Goldweber, the director of the Clinic, is an experienced
public interest litigator in both federal and state courts. Under
Professor Goldweber's leadership, the Clinic has continued to serve
the legal needs of Queens' senior citizens while expanding the
Clinic's client base and increasing the number of student
advocates.
Professor
Goldweber explains, "Based upon the Clinic's client
intakes and community outreach, we have recognized a pattern and
practice of elder abuse by means of predatory lending practices in
the Queens community. These practices threaten our clients’ only
resource – their homes. Lenders target elderly people because they
usually own their own homes free and clear of any encumbrance.
Elderly women living alone are singled out because many of them did
not handle the household's finances and may not be sophisticated in
financial matters. We are working to expand our expertise and
representation in the area of predatory lending so we can best
serve our client community."