As the Deputy Director and Head of Legal Programs & Policy at Her Justice, Hamra (she/her) leads the organization’s legal, policy, and programmatic strategy, leading a team of 24 staff members across legal, policy, pro bono management, and client services — as well as overseeing five directors and a broad portfolio of programs in service of Her Justice’s mission to stand with women living in poverty. She previously co-chaired the Legal Services Pro Bono Committee of the New York City Bar and PIPBA (the Public Interest Pro Bono Association), which supports pro bono leaders at nonprofit and public-interest organizations across the NYC metropolitan area. Before joining Her Justice, Hamra served as Executive Director of the Hudson Valley Justice Center, overseeing civil legal services for immigrants, and as Director of the Center for Legal Services at My Sisters’ Place, which serves survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
She co-authored a chapter in Services for Trafficking Victims: A Brief Guide for Lawyers on best practices for representing trafficking survivors. A recognized expert in immigration law, domestic violence and human trafficking, trauma-informed lawyering, and vicarious trauma, she also launched the Immigration Project at the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis. She is a graduate of Leadership Westchester and is licensed to practice in New York and Minnesota.
Hamra received her B.S. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.