Introducing Touro Law's Public Advocacy Center

A former chief of detectives of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), Phil Pulaski holds a bachelor degree in chemical engineering and master degree in environmental engineering from Manhattan College in the Bronx, New York. While working full-time as an engineer at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Phil Pulaski attended St. John's University School of Law in Queens, New York at night, and received a juris doctor degree in May 1980. He passed the New York State Bar examination in July 1980, and was admitted to practice law in New York State. Phil Pulaski was subsequently admitted to practice law in the US Supreme Court, US Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, and US District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of NY. 

Phil Pulaski served as a supervisory attorney in the NYPD’s Legal Bureau for several years and, as he was promoted to higher executive ranks in the department, he continued to closely collaborate with the Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters particularly regarding the law involving search and seizure, arrest, eyewitness identification, interrogation and electronic surveillance. Phil Pulaski also provided a significant amount of legal training to members of the NYPD including 10 New York State Bar Continuing Legal Education courses.

Since retiring from the NYPD in 2014 and continuing to work as a law enforcement executive, Phil Pulaski attended Touro College School of Law in Suffolk, New York at night, and received a master of laws advanced law degree (LLM) in January 2018. While studying for his LLM advanced law degree, he maintained a 4.0 GPA and graduated summa cum laude.

Along with offering several academic programs, Touro Law oversees a number of public service initiatives, including the William Randolph Hearst Public Advocacy Center (PAC). Designed to provide legal training while assisting those in need, the PAC is home to several nonprofit agencies serving the local community. At the Center, Touro Law students meet their pro bono requirements by providing advocacy services, research work, and client-relations support for the member agencies. 

The list of nonprofit groups that currently maintain offices at the PAC includes Breaking Barriers, Long Island Advocacy Center, ProBono Partnership, and the Empire Justice Center. The PAC also works with approximately 20 affiliate members, including Hope For Youth, Literacy First, Prison Families Anonymous, and Vision Long Island. To learn more about the PAC and other Touro Law public service initiatives, visit www.tourolaw.edu.