Melissa Dunn – Human Resources Director

Melissa Dunn Human Resources Director (518) 445-6052 ext. 1117 mdunn@plsny.org Melissa has over 25 years of human resource and organizational leadership experience. A graduate of SUNY Albany, Melissa has experience in policy development, compliance, payroll, benefits, recruiting, and performance. She has created and conducted employee training programs related to EEO, harassment, diversity and motivation. ForContinue reading “Melissa Dunn – Human Resources Director”

Mary Cipriano-Walter – Pro Bono Director

Mary Cipriano-Walter Pro Bono Director (518) 445-6052 x1110 MWalter@plsny.org Mary joined PLS as a staff attorney in January 2015, became the supervising attorney of the Family Matters Unit in August 2017, and became the Pro Bono Director in March 2022. Before becoming a staff attorney, Mary was a legal intern at PLS from June 2013 throughContinue reading “Mary Cipriano-Walter – Pro Bono Director”

Washburn Martin – Assistant Controller

Washburn Martin Assistant Controller (518) 445-6052 ext. 1119 wmartin@plsny.org Washburn Martin is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in New York and a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He received a BBA in Accounting from Siena College. He joined PLS in 2021 as the Assistant Controller. Prior to joining PLS, he worked asContinue reading “Washburn Martin – Assistant Controller”

Jonathan Feldman – General Counsel

Jonathan Feldman General Counsel (518) 445-6052 jfeldman@plsny.org Jonathan Feldman is General Counsel for PLS.  He worked for the Empire Justice Center for 24 years – as a Senior Attorney from 1997-2018, and as Legal Director from 2019-2022.  His primary focus has been civil rights, especially education law.  He has litigated impact cases in the areasContinue reading “Jonathan Feldman – General Counsel”

Karen L. Murtagh – Executive Director Emeritus

Karen L. Murtagh Executive Director EmeritusTel.:(518) 445-6052kmurtagh@plsny.org Karen Murtagh has litigated issues concerning prisoners’ due process rights at disciplinary hearings, prison conditions, deliberate indifference, the First Amendment and the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA). She has tried cases in both the Court of Claims and Federal Court and has argued numerous cases before New YorkContinue reading “Karen L. Murtagh – Executive Director Emeritus”

Krin Flaherty – Executive Director

Krin Flaherty Executive Director (607) 273-2283 ext. 1205 kflaherty@plsny.org In April 2026, the PLS Board of Directors selected Krin Flaherty for the position of Executive Director.  To this role, Krin brings experience as a Staff Attorney from 2006-2012 primarily working on access to mental health and medical care and disciplinary issues and related litigation.  KrinContinue reading “Krin Flaherty – Executive Director”