Local leaders rally for law student loan forgiveness

/
State Sen. Jessica Ramos, joined by public defender Tiffany Cabán, introduced new legislation on Wednesday that would help more attorneys access student loan forgiveness. Photo courtesy of Ramos’ Office.

State Sen. Jessica Ramos, joined by public defender Tiffany Cabán, introduced new legislation on Wednesday that would help more attorneys access student loan forgiveness. Photo courtesy of Ramos’ Office.

By Victoria Merlino

A Queens state senator introduced a new bill that would help more legal service attorneys receive student loan forgiveness and increase student loan reimbursement.

State Sen. Jessica Ramos rallied with public defender Tiffany Cabán and various lawmakers, attorneys and advocates against the rising cost of law student loan debt on Wednesday. Debt totalling more than $100,000 can divert talented attorneys away from working in underserved communities and toward more lucrative positions in government or the private sector, advocates said. 

“When working class communities don’t have access to quality legal services, we only further entrap people in the vicious cycle of poverty. Meanwhile, the few attorneys available to help our underserved communities are unfortunately overworked,” Ramos said. “As a state, we have the ability to help retain talented attorneys while also sustaining their growth in legal practice and ensuring New York continues to support new professionals in the field.”

The bill would expand the current eligibility period for attorneys to receive a certain amount of loan forgiveness, as well as increase loan reimbursement for certain attorneys who work in legal services with clients from underserved communities. The bill is sponsored in the Assembly by Bronx Assemblymember Marcos Crespo.

President of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys Jared Trujillo highlighted the sharp increase in law school tuition that students have faced in recent years. 

“Nearly 38 percent of our members with student debt owe more than $200,000, with a majority of our junior members owing more than $150,000,” Trujillo said. “More than one-third of our members must work second jobs as Uber drivers, tutors, baby sitters, and bartenders to make ends meet.”