Decriminalize Sex Work Partners With Fordham Law Legislative Advocacy Clinic

Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) is proud to partner with Fordham Law School’s Legislative Advocacy Clinic, a program that connects law students with community partners working to advance social justice through legislative change in New York. Law students involved in the clinic support partner organizations with bill drafting, legal research, and legislative strategy. Through this ongoing collaboration, Fordham law students have provided valuable research and analysis to support DSW’s advocacy efforts in New York.

Since the partnership began in 2025, the clinic’s legal interns have assisted DSW with legal research on pending legislation, drafting op-eds on emerging issues affecting sex workers, and advocating directly to legislators in Albany. While the clinic helps DSW expand its capacity to advocate for the rights, safety, and dignity of sex workers, DSW’s role in the partnership helps train the next generation of legislative advocacy attorneys in New York.

DSW Staff Attorney Becca Cleary, who has worked closely with the legal interns over the past year, said this about the partnership:

“The Fordham Law students have become an important part of our advocacy efforts in New York. Their work and presence were integral to our success in Albany during Advocacy Day for Cecilia’s Act. It’s been rewarding to give law students a hands-on opportunity to get involved in policy through bill drafting and meeting with legislators because these opportunities are not very common during law school.”

DSW's partnership with Fordham's Legislative Advocacy Clinic is part of a growing relationship between DSW and the law school. DSW is grateful for the students and faculty who have dedicated their time and talents to this work and for their commitment to advancing policies that improve the lives, rights, and safety of sex workers in New York.