Syracuse, NY, November 3, 2021 – The Board of Directors of the Hiscock Legal Aid Society (HLA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gregory W. Dewan, Esq. as the next Executive Director of the organization. Mr. Dewan succeeds current Executive Director Linda Gehron, Esq. who will retire at the beginning of 2022 following forty years in the legal profession, including a decade of service to HLA, five of them as Executive Director.  Ms. Gehron will return to private practice part time.

Under Ms. Gehron’s leadership, HLA grew its budget, staff and the number of people served in the CNY community.

“Linda departs an agency that is more multifaceted and agile than perhaps at any other point in its history,” said Conor Kirchner, Esq. Chair of the Board of Directors. “Under her leadership, the organization successfully pivoted to a variety of remote work environments to continue serving the community through the COVID-19 public health crisis. To do this, Ms. Gehron worked closely with Deputy Executive Director Gregory Dewan. Together, they positioned HLA for success amid a rapidly changing landscape to continue promoting justice for all across Central New York.”

Mr. Dewan, a CNY native and graduate of the University of Richmond and Emory University School of Law, first joined HLA as an intern in 2010. He was then hired and worked as a staff attorney, senior attorney, supervising attorney and managing attorney before becoming Deputy Executive Director in 2019.

This announcement comes following a nationwide search being conducted by a committee consisting of current and former members of the Board of Directors.

“It has been an honor to lead the Hiscock Legal Aid Society,” said Linda Gehron, Executive Director. “I leave this organization knowing that under Greg’s most capable leadership, it will continue doing what it has done so well since 1949: promoting justice for all.”

Virginia Hoveman, Esq. the immediate past Chair of the Board of Directors, served on the searching committee and echoes those sentiments.

“These past few years have tested the resolve of every organization,” said Hoveman. “Hiscock Legal Aid Society is no exception. Under the leadership of Linda Gehron and Gregory Dewan, the Hiscock Legal Aid Society navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, never closing its doors and continuing to serve CNY every single day. Credit for this goes to the entire staff at the Hiscock Legal Aid Society and the leadership of Linda and Greg. As we thank Linda for her service, her dedication and her leadership, we welcome Mr. Dewan to his new role and look forward to HLA’s next chapter.”

“I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to serve as the next Executive Director of the Hiscock Legal Aid Society,” said Gregory Dewan, incoming Executive Director. “As a lifelong resident of Central New York, it is particularly rewarding to be leading an organization I believe in, alongside people I believe in, to fulfill a critical mission ensuring access to justice for all in our community.”

Ms. Gehron will retire January 31, 2022. Mr. Dewan assumes his new role February 1, 2022.

For more information: hlalaw.org.

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