By Tom Jarvis
For 603 Legal Aid (603LA) Paralegal Steve McGilvary, receiving the prestigious 2024 Denison Ray Award from the National Legal Aid & Defender Association in November was not just a personal honor – it was a recognition of the collective effort and dedication of his entire team.
“I was shocked and very appreciative that they would recognize my work,” says McGilvary. “It made me feel great that our executive director, Ariel Clemmer, and the management team thought enough of my work to nominate me. I’m just happy that 603 Legal Aid is recognized nationally. It’s not really about me, it’s about our team. It could have been anyone in the office, but I’m lucky enough to be the one receiving it. To me, it’s the office that received it. We work as a team and that team accomplished all the things the award seems to attribute to me.”
The Denison Ray Award, often referred to as the “Denny,” is named in honor of Denison Ray, a lifelong advocate for legal aid. The award recognizes professionals who have made significant contributions to the civil legal aid community by offering crucial legal support to those in need.
A paralegal for more than 24 years, McGilvary has worked primarily in housing law. He has helped thousands of low-income clients across New Hampshire avoid eviction and secure stable housing. According to letters from his colleagues in support of his nomination, his understanding of New Hampshire’s housing regulations and federal policies has been instrumental in assisting individuals facing housing crises.
After graduating from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in 1986, McGilvary worked at his family business, Pine Ridge Florist, for 12 years. In 2000, he received a paralegal certificate from Franklin Pierce University and began working for the Legal Advice and Referral Center (LARC). He continued with the company through the 2021 merger with the New Hampshire Bar Association Pro Bono Referral Program to create 603LA. He is currently working toward a master’s degree in public administration at UNH.
McGilvary says his commitment to legal aid work and his decision to become a paralegal was inspired by reading about Elliot Berry, who championed the cause of low-income individuals for nearly 50 years.
“I was reading an interview in the newspaper about Elliot Berry and my ideas really changed reading about his take on things,” says McGilvary. “I realized that I could earn a living and still feel good about helping people instead of just making widgets. I thought it would be great to support myself financially and be involved in something I truly believed in.”
According to 603LA, McGilvary was the primary advocate for nearly 551 clients this past year alone.
“Steve McGilvary embodies the very essence of what this award stands for – exceptional commitment to equal justice and unwavering support for underserved communities,” says 603LA Executive Director Ariel Clemmer. “For over 24 years, Steve has been a cornerstone of legal aid in New Hampshire, using his deep knowledge in housing law to advocate tirelessly for tenants and mediate complex landlord-tenant disputes with compassion and skill. Steve’s dedication, professionalism, and passion for helping others have transformed countless lives, and he truly exemplifies the spirit of public service that this prestigious award honors.”
In Clemmer’s nomination letter, she highlighted an example of McGilvary’s dedication and skills. He helped a 56-year-old combat veteran, who suffered from PTSD, avoid eviction from his mobile home. The client had withheld rent to pressure his landlady into making repairs but was taken to court for nonpayment. McGilvary assisted him in crafting a strong rent-withholding defense and provided a motion to dismiss, which was served in court. As a result, the landlady agreed to withdraw the eviction, waive four months of rental arrears, begin repairs, reimburse the client for a broken heating stove, and allow him to withhold rent until the home was deemed habitable.
“Steve is an excellent and dedicated advocate for clients with housing issues,” says 603LA Pro Bono Manager Janice Rabchenuk. “He provides information and knowledge in a kind, compassionate manner that helps clients navigate what can be a complex legal system, enabling them to obtain the best outcome for their situation.”
McGilvary has also served as a mentor to many new advocates at 603LA, offering guidance and sharing his expertise. According to Clemmer, he is referred to as the “housing guy” by numerous people across the state.
His efforts have also been praised by clients, who describe his support as invaluable. One such client, Jess, who was facing eviction, recalls how McGilvary’s assistance was vital during one of the most difficult moments in her life.
“Just one hour before our eviction hearing at the district court, I called 603 Legal Aid, overwhelmed and scared,” says Jess. “My partner and I, along with our two young kids, were being evicted because our lease had ended, and we hadn’t moved out yet. The landlord was angry and had hired a lawyer to take us to court. We had been homeless before, and we were doing everything we could to avoid going through that again…Steve was amazing. He listened to our situation and quickly found strong defenses we could use in court. He explained everything in a way that was easy to understand and gave us the confidence we needed to speak up. Steve really helped us a lot.”
McGilvary’s recognition with the Denison Ray Award acknowledges his long-standing dedication to providing access to legal assistance for low-income individuals in New Hampshire. His work at 603LA, and his impact on the lives of those he serves, has been significant.
“I am certain that in terms of housing preserved in New Hampshire, Steve’s work is behind a significant amount of the data,” says Lauren Greenwald, Housing Justice Project Director for New Hampshire Legal Assistance. “His level of industriousness is inspiring, and he is committed to working tirelessly and advocating for New Hampshire’s most vulnerable residents.”