Who we are

Need help?

Want to be an advocate?

News

Links

 

 

Who we are

 

The UAC provides free representation to people in New York who are trying to claim their unemployment benefits. We have worked with hundreds of claimants since the UAC was founded in 1981. We are a completely student-run non-profit organization with members from five law schools in New York City.

 

We are not lawyers. We are law students who help claimants by presenting their cases in front of administrative law judges at the Department of Labor. This assistance includes researching unemployment insurance law and conducting direct and cross-examination. We also appeal adverse decisions.

 

Need help?

 

In order for us to represent you, your benefits hearing must be scheduled at the Department of Labor (DOL) in Manhattan, Hempstead, or Hauppage.

 

Once you have a hearing date, call the UAC office at 212-998-6568.

 

When you call you will be asked for a brief explanation of your situation and why you were denied benefits. Because of the large volume of unemployment benefits hearings, we cannot represent everyone. When student advocates are available, however, they will call you to plan a time to meet and discuss your case further.

 

Generally our advocates require two in-person meetings with you before the hearing. Please be aware that if you call fewer than 3 business days before your hearing, it is less likely that advocates will be available to take your case.

 

If no advocate is available, you can try contacting other organizations that represent claimants. See our links.

 

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Want to be an advocate?

 

The UAC currently has chapters at:

 

Columbia University School of Law

Fordham University School of Law

Hofstra University School of Law

New York Law School

New York University School of Law

 

To be a student advocate, you must be in law school. You must also be trained (see news for upcoming trainings). At the training you will learn what you need to know to successfully advocate for a claimant. You do not have to attend your own chapter's training if you are unable to attend during the scheduled time. Feel free to go to any one of the posted trainings.

 

An average case takes 5 to 10 hours of preparation. A case can easily be prepared within several days or a weekend, although the work may be spread out over 10 days, depending on when the hearing is scheduled.

 

We encourage you to work with a partner or an experienced advocate on your first case.

 

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News

 

 

Please join us for the

Eighth Annual Unemployment Action Center Banquet

 

March 9, 2004, 7:00 p.m.

Fordham University, Lowenstein Building, 12th Floor Hall

West 60th Street and Columbus Avenue

 

Featuring keynote speaker Mark Green.

 

Mr. Green has used his legal training in the interest of the citizens of New York for many years. He served as New York CityÕs first

Public Advocate and was the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City in 2001. He currently lectures at NYU Law School

and serves as the President of the New Democracy Project, a national/urban affairs institute headquartered in New York City that

promotes democratic participation and social justice.

 

The UAC dinner will draw labor and employment law practitioners, law professors, and students from throughout New York City. It

is an excellent opportunity to socialize with colleagues and enjoy a stimulating presentation. Funds raised at the dinner help cover the

administrative costs of representing hundreds of unemployed workers for free. We hope you will join us at the dinner this year.

 

If you can attend, please send checks to our office at:  UAC, 240 Mercer St., New York, New York, 10012-1507.

 

Dinner prices:

 

$ 100 for Attorney at Private Firm or $750 for table of 8

$ 60 for Academia or Public Interest or $400 for table of 8

$ 25 for Students

 

If you cannot attend, donations may also be sent to our office.

 

In addition, if you cannot attend, please consider buying an advertisement for the program booklet.

Each guest receives a program booklet for the event, listing names of student awardees, biographies of the speakers, a summary of

the topic, and more. Having your name in the program is an excellent way to show your support for the UAC.

 

Advertisement prices:

 

$ 1000 Ð Middle page: 14 x 8

$ 600 Ð Back cover: 7 x 8

$ 400 Ð Inside back cover: 7 x 8

$ 250 Ð Full page: 7 x 8

$ 150 Ð Page: 7 x 4

$ 100 Ð Page: 3 x 4

 

Photo-ready ads can be sent by mail, fax, or email to the UAC office. The deadline for advertisements is March 1, 2004.

 

Contact our office at 212-998-6568 with questions.

 

 

Upcoming trainings for advocates

 

New York Law School

6-8 p.m., Tuesday, February 3

Wellington Conference Center, 5th Floor

47 Worth Street

Directions: Take the A, C, E to Canal; head south on Church St. to Worth; turn right.

Or, 1, 2, 3, 9 to Chambers; head north on W. Broadway to Worth; turn right.

Or, N, R to City Hall; head north on Broadway to Worth; turn left (just past Church).

Students from other law schools may attend if they show ID.

 

Columbia University Law School

6 p.m., Tuesday, February 3

Jerome Greene Hall, Room 701

On the northeast corner of 116th and Amsterdam.

Take the 1, B or C to 116th.

 

New York University Law School

Sunday, February 8

Check back for more details.

 

Check this page later! More trainings will be posted.

 

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Links and contacts

 

Department of Labor (DOL) in New York:

http://www.labor.state.ny.us/

New York State Department of Labor, Unemployment Claim Information, 52 West 20th Street, NY, NY 10011, 212-242-8900

 

The DOL's summary of unemployment insurance case law:

http://www.labor.state.ny.us/business_ny/unemployment_insurance/interp/InterpService.htm

 

Other organizations that represent claimants

 

MFY Legal Services, Workplace Justice Project

http://www.mfy.org/

 

Workers' Defense League

Contact at 275 Seventh Avenue, New York NY 10001, 212-627-1931

 

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Contact us

 

To request an advocate, call the UAC office at 212-998-6568.

 

 

 

 

Page updated 10/11/2003