by Shekar Krishnan

PIPS, Vol. 14.1

Editor’s Note: This article introduction is from the Public Interest Practitioners Section (PIPS) of Volume 14.1. of the CUNY Law Review. Read the full article here.

In May 2009, the landlord of a rent-stabilized building in Williamsburg, Brooklyn openly declared his intention to force out the current tenants if they did not leave on their own. Located on North 8th Street right off trendy Bedford Avenue, the property was prime real estate in Williamsburg. The only obstacles that stood between the landlord and the potential for him to reap large profits were the rent-stabilized status of the building and all the tenants who paid the regulated rent, a fraction of the market rate. Once he forced those tenants to leave, he could “gut rehab” the apartments, move them out of the rent-stabilization system, and easily generate five to six times the amount of revenue from the building. Continue reading →

Full Issue

Articles

Does Gideon Still Make a Difference?
Thomas F. Liotti
On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Gideon v. Wainwright, it has never been more important to reaffirm a commitment to the protection of indigent defendants in the criminal justice system. In this article, Liotti explores the historical significance of Gideon, including the cases and atmosphere that led up to the decision; New York’s statutory response to Gideon; several cases that might spur current litigation surrounding the rights of indigent defendants; the quality of representation of indigent clients in New York; and the United States Supreme Court’s treatment of indigent defendants, with special emphasis on equal protection doctrine. Liotti concludes with a general litigation strategy for those who fight for equal justice for the poor and marginalized.

The Right to Work and Earn a Living Wage: A Proposed Constitutional Amendment
William P. Quigley
The right to work and earn a living wage is one of the fundamental principles built into the fabric of our society. In this article, Quigley proposes a constitutional amendment that would commit this nation to providing a living wage employment opportunity for all of society. Though cautious not to address the implementation of such a constitutional amendment, this article outlines the basic framework of how a guarantee of employment at a wage substantially higher than the current minimum might work.

Note

Gender Inequality in In Vitro Fertilization: Controlling Women’s Reproductive Autonomy
Melissa E. Fraser
This article offers a critique of developing reproductive technologies, namely In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), by suggesting a two-step analysis which (1) analyzes how IVF technology can create inequitable power structures for women who turn to it, and (2) places IVF technology within a larger pattern of attempts to control all women’s reproductive autonomy. Fraser argues that it is necessary and essential to question the development and proliferation of reproductive technologies to gain control of them and utilize them for the benefit of all women.