Maria assists attorneys who represent tenants in illegal eviction cases and impact litigation as a Housing Paralegal at Empire Justice Center’s Rochester office. Before beginning her current position, she spent one year as the Health Law Unit’s Outreach Coordinator where she was responsible for designing, implementing, and coordinating outreach and education programs related to the unit’s goal of ensuring access to health insurance. Maria was as a paralegal in an environmental law firm and a legal and communications intern in an environmental nonprofit organization prior to joining Empire Justice Center. While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies, Maria wrote her senior thesis on the vicious cycle of poverty and incarceration. She was born and raised in Buffalo, NY but remained in Rochester following her graduation from Nazareth College. At Empire Justice Center, Maria will primarily assist members of the Rochester community, and she is grateful for the opportunity to do this meaningful work.

Nate serves as a Health Law Paralegal with Empire Justice Center’s Health Law Unit where he conducts client intake, helps develop community presentations on health benefits, and provides support with client representation, among other responsibilities. His background includes legal services, Disability Rights advocacy, care management, and community organizing. Nate received a bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Toronto where he majored in sociology and international relations.

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Alexia Mickles is a Staff Attorney with the Health Law Unit in Empire Justice Center's Rochester office. Alexia devotes her practice to ensuring access to Medicaid and Medicare to New York's most vulnerable populations. As a law student, she interned with the Empire Justice Center's Disability Advocacy Program (DAP). Alexia graduated cum laude from SUNY Fredonia (2012) and holds a law degree from Pace University School of Law (2015). At Pace, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Pace Intellectual Property, Sports, & Entertainment Law Forum (PIPSELF). Alexia is licensed to practice law in New York (2016).