Jackie Brown Legal Secretary (845) 391-3110 ext. 1501 jbrown@plsny.org Jackie started at PLS as a legal secretary in 2023 after about a decade of working as an EMT/Paramedic. She graduated from Mount Saint Mary College in 2019 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in chemistry. In her free time, Jackie enjoys reading, playingContinue reading “Jackie Brown – Legal Secretary”
Category Archives: PLS Team
Leah Mack – Staff Attorney
Leah Mack Staff Attorney (845) 391-3110 ext. 1505 lmack@plsny.org Leah Mack joined Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York in January 2024. Previously, she represented Brooklyn tenants facing eviction and tenants’ associations in group actions against their landlords. Leah received her J.D. at CUNY School of Law where she participated in the Human Rights and GenderContinue reading “Leah Mack – Staff Attorney”
Amber Jones – Legal Secretary
Amber Jones Legal Secretary (716) 854-1007 ext. 1300 ajones@plsny.org
Magdalena Wasnieski – Supervising Attorney
Magdalena Wasnieski Supervising Attorney (518) 694-8699 ext. 2119 mwasnieski@plsny.org Magdalena Wasnieski joined PLS as a law graduate in September 2023. She received her B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Law from Binghamton University and her J.D. from Albany Law School, where she received the Martin H. Belsky Graduation Prize for demonstrating a commitment to public interestContinue reading “Magdalena Wasnieski – Supervising Attorney”
Joan Odess – Immigration Paralegal
Joan Odess Paralegal, Legal Counsel and Unaccompanied Children Projects 518-694-8699 jodess@plsny.org Joan Odess is an immigration paralegal for the Legal Counsel and Unaccompanied Children Projects.
Theresa Kearsing – Legal Secretary
Theresa Kearsing Legal Secretary (518) 438-8046 ext. 1100 tkearsing@plsny.org Theresa has worked at various law firms in Albany, as well as Albany Law School’s Justice Center and the New York State Court of Claims recently. She is excited to bring her legal experience to PLS, where she looks forward to assisting in the ongoing needsContinue reading “Theresa Kearsing – Legal Secretary”
Noelle Dutch – Legal Secretary
Noelle Dutch Legal Secretary (518) 438-8046 ext. 1102 ndutch@plsny.org Noelle started at PLS as a legal secretary in 2024, following a year of experience as a cook in local restaurants. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2023 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in history. During Noelle’s time in Binghamton, she charteredContinue reading “Noelle Dutch – Legal Secretary”
Melissa Dunn – Human Resources Director
Melissa Dunn Human Resources Director (518) 445-6050 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) 438-8046 ext. 1110 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 JuneContinue reading “Mary Cipriano-Walter – Pro Bono Director”
Emma Thorp – PREP Social Worker
Emma Thorp PREP Social Worker 518-859-6810 ethorp@plsny.org Emma received her Masters of Social Work from the Brown School at Washington University in St Louis in May of 2023 and joined Prisoner’s Legal Services immediately after graduating. She is based out of the PREP office in Brooklyn. Emma is passionate about legal advocacy and empowering individualsContinue reading “Emma Thorp – PREP Social Worker”