Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) in White Plains, New York, will host its annual Equal Access to Justice Gala on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Greentree Country Club in New Rochelle, New York. It will honor New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer, attorney Jane Sovern, and Louis V. Gerstner Jr. and the Gerstner Philanthropies Team —three leaders whose deep commitment to justice and public service exemplify the values that LSHV champions every day.
More than 300 guests from the corporate, philanthropic and legal communities are expected to attend this inspiring evening. The gala shines a spotlight on the urgent legal issues facing the Hudson Valley’s most vulnerable residents, including housing and homelessness prevention, domestic violence, disability advocacy, elder law, LGBTQ+ rights, veterans’ services and more.
LSHV CEO Rachel Halperin shared the impact of the event, and said,
“At Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, we believe that justice should never depend on someone’s income or circumstances. Every day, our team responds to urgent legal crises —protecting homes, safety and dignity for thousands across the region. This gala is both a celebration of what we’ve achieved and a call to action for the work ahead. With the support of our community, we are building a future where equal justice is a reality for all.”
HONOREES:
NYS Senator Shelley Mayer has dedicated her career to advocating for New Yorkers, with a particular focus on education, civil rights and community well-being. She currently represents the 37th District in the New York State Senate, previously having served six years in the New York State Assembly. Her legislative leadership has been instrumental in securing critical support for special education schools and ensuring the full phase-in of Foundation Aid.
Before entering elected office, Mayer was chief counsel to the NYS Senate Democrats and a senior counsel at Columbia Law School’s National State Attorney General Program. She also spent over a decade in senior roles focused on health care and public policy, including at Continuum Health Partners and in the Office of the New York State Attorney General under Bob Abrams, where she litigated key civil rights and consumer protection cases. She holds a JD from SUNY Buffalo and a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA.
https://www.bsk.com/people/jane-m-sovernJane Sovern is a leading education law attorney at Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC, and advises a range of prestigious clients in higher education, including colleges, universities, independent schools and public-school districts. Her practice spans student and faculty issues, campus safety and Title IX, governance, accreditation, employment matters, and regulatory compliance.
Before joining Bond, she served in several key leadership roles at The City University of New York (CUNY). She also led a legal team of 20 attorneys and supported the New York State Commission on Higher Education in 2007–2008.
With deep expertise in Title IX, FERPA, FOIL, academic integrity, internal investigations and labor relations, Sovern is widely recognized for her leadership and commitment to legal excellence in education. She also served on the Board of Directors of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley for six years, including as president of the board. A dedicated and pivotal leader her guidance was instrumental to LSHV’s successful navigation of the Covid-19 pandemic and to ensuring the organization’s continued strength and success.
Louis V. Gerstner Jr. and the Gerstner Philanthropies Team, have invested over $300 million in transformative work across biomedical research, education, environmental initiatives and emergency financial assistance for individuals in crisis through its Helping Hands program. With a philanthropic mission rooted in impact and equity, Gerstner Philanthropies has spent more than three decades improving lives and creating opportunity for those most in need.
Gerstner, chairman of Gerstner Philanthropies, is widely known for his visionary leadership in both the business and nonprofit sectors. As Chairman and CEO of IBM from 1993 to 2002, he led one of the most successful corporate turnarounds in history. Earlier in his career, he held top leadership roles at RJR Nabisco, American Express and McKinsey & Co., and later served as Chairman of The Carlyle Group. A passionate advocate for education, Gerstner launched Reinventing Education at IBM to support school reform through technology, co-founded Achieve to raise academic standards in public schools, and created The Teaching Commission to strengthen the quality and accountability of the U.S. teaching profession. His advocacy has earned him widespread recognition, including an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to education and business. He is the author of the best-selling business memoir “Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance? “and co-author of “Reinventing Education.” Together with the dedicated team at Gerstner Philanthropies, Gerstner continues to champion access, equity and excellence — values that resonate deeply with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley’s mission.
The Equal Access to Justice Gala will begin with a cocktail and networking reception, followed by a seated dinner and brief remarks highlighting Legal Services of the Hudson Valley’s impactful programs and services.
Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels until Sept. 1. To purchase tickets, journal ads, or sponsorships for this year’s Equal Access to Justice Gala, visit http://e.givesmart.com/events/Jm4.
Founded in 1967, LSHV is a 58-year-old organization and the only provider of free comprehensive civil legal services in seven counties of the Lower and Mid-Hudson Valley: Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster. It’s mission is to provide high-quality counsel in civil matters for low-income individuals and families and other vulnerable persons who do not have access to legal representation to maintain their basic needs. In 2024, LSHV handled 12,186 cases and impacted 31,022 individuals across all practice areas.
For more information about Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, or to learn how you can contribute or volunteer, visit https://lshv.org, or contact Dr. Jazmine Leon at 914-949-1305 or jleon@lshv.org.
