Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York is pleased to announce that longtime legal aid attorney, Paul J. Lupia has been elected to serve as the organization's new Executive Director beginning December 17, 2007.  Lupia replaces outgoing director Robert Salzman who will retire after more than 30 years at the organization's helm.  At the request of the Board of Directors, Salzman will continue with the organization as Senior Counsel through January 31, 2008 to assist with the leadership transition.

"Having worked with Paul for nearly three decades, I am confident that under his leadership the organization will continue to accomplish so much more for our clients and our community," says Robert Salzman.

Lupia's selection is the result of a national search launched more than nine months ago by a committee of attorneys led by Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York officers Carolyn Cooley, Treasurer and Bartle J. Gorman, Secretary.  The search committee also included current and former board members and staff.  The final decision was made by a vote of the Board of Directors.

"Paul's background, history with the organization and obvious commitment to the ideals and goals of legal services for the poor, elderly and disabled make him the perfect choice to head the organization," comments David M. Hayes, President of the Board of Directors.  "The organization has a bright future under Paul's leadership."

About Paul J. Lupia

A graduate of Hobart College and Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Mr. Lupia was a Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York staff attorney from 1980 to 2004, where his case work included family, consumer, education, housing, health, civil rights and disability-related issues.

After serving as a Managing and Senior Attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York for more than twenty years, Mr. Lupia became the Director of Advocacy for Legal Services of Central New York which works cooperatively with the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York to provide free legal services to low-income, elderly and disabled clients.  In that capacity since 2004, Mr. Lupia coordinated all advocacy activities in the organizations' 13-county service area.

Throughout his career, Lupia has remained actively committed to community service, including 17 years as a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America and five years as an AYSO soccer coach.  He is currently the Board President for the Family Advocacy Center, a non-profit that serves children with developmental disabilities and their families.  Mr. Lupia is a recipient of the Community Advocate Award presented by the Resource Center for Independent Living.  He is a member of state, local and federal bar associations.

About the new position, Lupia says, "In his last three years the organization has faced the difficult challenge of reconfiguration and unifying former offices and staff of three diverse programs over a large geographic area.  Now we have a balanced $4 million budget, the Central New York Legal HelpLine is in place, and we have a strong Managing Attorney team stretching across office lines.  It is an exciting time to be the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York."

About the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York

Funded in part by the Legal Services Corporation and the United Way, Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York is a not-for-profit organization that provides free legal information, advice, and representation to people who cannot afford a lawyer for civil (non-criminal) legal problems.

The organization addresses legal issues including but not limited to public benefits, access to healthcare, discrimination, and future planning.  In addition, Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York offers free access to interpreters for those with limited English and all phones have voice/TDD access for the hearing impaired.

Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York is headquartered in Utica, New York and maintains offices and serves Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Otsego counties.  Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York also offers services to farm workers from across New York State.

For more information about Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, visit their web site at www.lasmny.org.