AKWESASNE. At the September 2021 Monthly Tribal Meeting, tribal members were introduced to new legal services that are being provided through a project between the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASSNY). The legal aid services are independent of the Tribe’s Legal Department; however, tribal members will be able to access a legal aid attorney at their office.

Tribal member and on-site attorney PJ Herne provided a presentation and shared his long desire to see more legal help available for tribal members who may be experiencing financial hardship or other difficulties accessing legal services. Through his assistance and the Tribe’s Legal Department, an arrangement was secured with the LASSNY to provide civil legal services.

Some of the legal cases that can be handled through LASSNY include: domestic violence, housing, public benefits, impact advocacy, community lawyering, community legal education and training, and special projects. Cases involving criminal matters, family court, mental health, executive law, or those involving juveniles are not available for legal aid services.

Attorney PJ Herne is available on Thursdays and Fridays at the Tribe’s Legal Department located on the third floor at the Ionkwakiohkwaróron Tribal Administration Building, located at 71 Margaret Terrance Memorial Way in Akwesasne.

Herne can also be reached at:

Attorney PJ Herne

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York

17 Hodskin Street

Canton, NY 13617

Email: pherne@lasnny.org

Phone: (518) 728-8277

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York is an independent entity and is not part of the tribal government. It is a Not-for-Profit Corporation providing Civil Legal Services. For more information, please http://www.lassny.org.