NHLA Media Resources

NHLA available media resources

NHLA’s staff advocates are some of the most skilled and experienced litigators and policy advocates in the state. Whether you are looking for a background opinion while researching a proposed bill or seeking a sound bite about local welfare programs, domestic violence laws, veterans benefits or any number of other topics, NHLA’s advocates can provide insightful, useful perspectives on poverty law issues in the Granite State.

Our staff members are based at five offices across New Hampshire, and have experience at all levels of the justice system, including the state Supreme Court and the various government agencies that are involved in programs related to poverty.

Some newsworthy topics on which our advocates are well-versed: elder abuse and exploitation; the foreclosure process; consumer protections; housing discrimination; and the juvenile justice system, among many other issues that affect the daily lives of low-income Granite State families.

Sarah Mattson Dustin, executive director: access to civil justice; New Hampshire unemployment law; welfare; TANF; food stamps; consumer protections.

Kay Drought, litigation director: N.H. legal system general expertise; access to civil justice; professional standards of attorneys (legal ethics); local municipal welfare programs.

Dawn McKinney, policy director: Medicaid; anti-poverty legislative advocacy.

Stephanie Bray: Reverse mortgages; state and federal mortgage and foreclosure regulations; tax deeding and property tax issues; debt collection, including federal and state laws and regulations; rights of campground residents.

Ray Burke: Utilities benefit programs; low-income energy efficiency programs

Ruth Heintz: Property tax relief; Social Security benefits; disability discharge of student loans; Choices for Independence, a Medicaid program for in-home care.

Erin Jasina: Domestic violence and family law (protective orders, divorce/custody/visitation cases, victims’ rights)

Cheryl Steinberg: Elder abuse and exploitation; the rights of residents in long-term care, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Steve Tower: New Hampshire unemployment law; utilities and energy efficiency programs

Michelle Wangerin: Juvenile justice (CHINS, delinquency) and education; special education and school discipline; school resource officers; school push-out and school-to-prison pipeline.

For more information or to arrange an interview with an NHLA advocate, please call Communications Manager Sarah Palermo at 369-6650.