Debra J. Wolf

Adjunct Professor of Law

Phone: 212-613-5082
Fax: 212-750-0820
[email protected]
LegalHealth

Professor Wolf specializes in Disability Law and has represented numerous clients with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses in matters including discrimination, employment accommodations, insurance coverage and estate planning.

She currently works in a program called LegalHealth, a collaboration of legal and medical professionals to improve the lives of children and adults with serious health concerns. LegalHealth provides free legal services to patients within the medical setting and educates healthcare professionals to better address their patients’ needs. Professor Wolf was formerly Assistant Director of the Legal and Advocacy Department of Gay Men’s Heath Crisis. Please see the attached curriculum vitae for additional information.

Professional Experience

Oct. 2005 to present: Attorney, LegalHealth, New York, NY
LegalHealth brings together legal and medical professionals to improve the lives of children and adults with serious health concerns.  LegalHealth provides free legal services to patients within the medical setting and educates healthcare professionals to better address their patients’ needs.

Sept. 2008 to present: NYU School of Law, New York, NY, Adjunct Professor of Law
Co-teach a Medical-Legal Advocacy Clinic.

Aug. 2004 to present: Fordham Law School, Adjunct Professor of Law
Teach classes in Fundamental Lawyering Skills.

Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), New York, NY: 
Feb. 2001 to April, 2004:  GMHC, Assistant Director, Legal Services & Client Advocacy .
Supervised a legal and advocacy staff providing services to people living with HIV/AIDS for public benefits, employment law and accommodations, discrimination, access to health care and housing, estate planning and impact litigation. 

Provided direct representation in areas which included access to insurance, discrimination, civil rights and general employment counseling.  Represented clients in State and Federal Courts as well as the New York City and State Human Rights Commissions and Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

Supervised legal volunteers, GMHC Law Student Internship Program and Estate Planning Clinic.

Dec. 1999 to Feb. 2001:  GMHC, Supervising Attorney.

Supervised a team of 2 attorneys and 1 paralegal representing HIV+ clients in discrimination, employment, confidentiality, debt management, wills and estates and insurance disputes.

Aug. 1996 to Dec. 1999:  Self employed Attorney, San Francisco, CA and New York, NY.
Litigation practice concentrating in employment law, criminal defense, discrimination, disability law, family law and non-profit business counseling.

Former Member, Board of Directors and Legal Advisor to National Radio Project, producer of Making Contact, a weekly, alternative radio program.

Jan. 1996 to Jan. 1998:  Legal Instructor, Heald College, Oakland CA.
Taught Litigation, Corporate Law, Legal Research and Writing, Bankruptcy and Family Law at the college level.  Also served as counselor and advisor to students.

1985 to 1994:  Handelman & Witkowicz, Rochester, NY.
Lead attorney; civil and criminal trial, family law and appellate litigation.

1993 to 1994: Chair, Monroe County Bar Fee Arbitration Committee.
Chaired a committee of 30+ attorneys responsible for arbitrating and/or mediating attorney/client fee and performance disputes.  Lectured, conducted seminars and published on subjects including mediation and dispute resolution.

Conduct legal training which have included:

American Bar Association on disability law, ERISA administrative appeals and litigation.

CancerCare on workplace and other legal issues for people with cancer and cancer survivors. 

New York Multiple Sclerosis Society on workplace issues for people living with MS.

NYU and Cornell Law Schools on Public Interest Law.

Legal Services of New York on ERISA and the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Cable Positive: appeared in a training video for human resources personnel on the Americans With Disabilities Act for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Faces and Voices of Recovery on stigma and discrimination in the recovery community.

Conducted a monthly seminar on Employment Law including the Americans With Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act and the New York City and State Human Rights Laws.

Publications

Reintegrating Employees with HIV/AIDS into the Workplace, The Diversity Factor , Fall 2001

Education

JD Washington University School of Law
St. Louis, MO

Professional Affiliations

Member of the bars of New York and California.

Education

Juris Doctorate: Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, 1981.

Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice: Westfield College, Westfield, Massachusetts, 1977.

Interests

Freelance Writing: articles published in The Diversity Factor (Reintegrating Employees with HIV/AIDS into the Workplace, Fall 2001), M.I. Magazine, Monroe County Bar Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Noe Valley Voice.

Mailing Address