The Path Forward

If a person is sitting across from Jessica Hugabone Vinson, they have already taken one of the hardest steps, having walked through the doors of her clinic to seek help escaping an abusive situation. In turn, Vinson provides information on the process ahead: “Here are the forms you need to file,” she will say. “Meet me tomorrow morning, and I’ll be with you.”

With a clear legal path and paperwork filled out, however, still, many never show again.

“They have to be ready,” Vinson says.

A family law attorney for nearly two decades, Vinson has learned that escaping abuse is rarely a single moment. Rather, it’s the culmination of many acts of courage: walking into a clinic, pursuing guidance and, perhaps, eventually stepping into a courtroom.

Vinson’s career has been devoted to helping families navigate the legal system while keeping children’s well-being at the center of every decision. Today, she’s the managing partner of Vella, Carbone & Vinson; an Attorney for the Child in Saratoga County; and the founder of the Legal Clinic to Aid Survivors of Domestic Violence in Glens Falls, which has provided free legal advice to hundreds since 2010.

The clinic stemmed from her work with the Adirondack Women’s Bar Association, where Vinson learned that local advocates and prosecutors were searching for ways to provide legal support to survivors of domestic abuse. While some qualified for services, many fell into an income gap, earning too much to meet eligibility requirements but nowhere near enough to afford representation.

“I was infuriated,” Vinson says. “Even in my private practice, there’s people who come to me and they really can’t afford legal services, but they’re also not offered it for free. So we try to work with them; through the clinic we’re able to assist, and in my private practice I try to assist. There’s no real solution or answer, so I do what I can.”

She created the clinic in partnership with the Domestic Violence Project through Catholic Charities in Glens Falls. The concept was simple: Volunteer attorneys from all practice areas would meet one-on-one with people seeking guidance, helping them understand their rights and legal options in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.

What surprised Vinson was how often the most urgent questions weren’t legal. “A lot of them had fled with nothing,” she recalls. “Their questions were practical: ‘How do I get a copy of my Social Security card? How do I get my driver’s license?’”

The clinic began compiling resources to answer those types of questions, recognizing that survivors often needed help rebuilding the foundations of their daily lives before they could focus on legal proceedings.

Over time, the clinic expanded beyond Glens Falls—to Wellspring in Saratoga County—and became a model for other communities across New York to replicate.

Establishing and growing the clinic reinforced lessons Vinson had seen in her private practice, where many clients arrive feeling uncertain and overwhelmed. Some would schedule meetings but never attend, while others would wait months before taking legal action. “It’s a huge first step to even come for a consultation,” Vinson says.

But over time, with each client, she can see subtle changes. “They want to review bank statements, understand financial records, and learn more about custody arrangements,” Vinson says. “All of a sudden, they know their voice has value.”

Children remain a central focus throughout the process. As an Attorney for the Child, she represents children’s interests in family court proceedings and custody disputes. The role gives her a perspective that carries into every aspect of her private practice, and helps clients move beyond winning and losing. “It keeps me grounded,” she says. “It helps me come back to my clients and ask, ‘Is this really what’s best for your kids?’ Everyone should feel like they’ve had a win. But let’s not use the kids to get that.”

Vinson continues to devote significant time to her pro bono practice and community service, serving on the boards of Wellspring, the Wiawaka Center for Women, and the SUNY Adirondack Foundation.

“I’m very lucky. I have an established practice, and I understand I have things that others do not,” Vinson says. “I have the luxury of sharing my time and providing services to those who cannot afford it. So when I can do that, I do it.”

Often, the moments she cherishes most are the ones that happen years after a case has ended: A former client approaches her in a grocery store. Someone stops by to share an update about their children and the life they’ve built since leaving a difficult situation.

“It makes me feel good,” Vinson says. “Like, OK, they did it.”