Legal Skills Center was founded over two decades ago when it began as a boutique legal skills consultancy specializing in legal training and education.

Initially, LSC focused on providing actionable guidance to businesses, organizations, and individuals grappling with the growing need for skilled Black and other minority lawyers. We did this through comprehensive preparation and successful study strategies for bar exams. As CEO of the organization, Edna Wells Handy, ESQ. authored numerous publications addressing crucial topics such as bar exam preparation, equity and inclusion measures within the legal education process, and the pass-rate gap. These efforts not only broadened the awareness of these challenges within the legal community, they also shared our approach to allow others to extend the impact.

Today, Legal Skills Center’s focus has shifted to civil and social service initiatives across domains such as public housing, social justice, law enforcement, and other government services. LSC’s expertise lies in crafting community-focused policies in close collaboration with the communities they aim to serve and their dedicated public service officials. Our mission is to dramatically improve the access and reach of available public assistance programs to create meaningful economic opportunities with direct impact on the quality of life within our shared communities.

Edna Wells Handy, ESQ.

Edna Wells Handy, Esq., is a distinguished graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, where she honed her legal expertise, rooted in a deep commitment to social justice, and embarked on a career marked by exceptional civil service achievements. Commencing her professional journey as a Federal District Law Clerk to the esteemed Honorable Lawrence W. Pierce, she soon pursued pivotal roles in both government service and academia. Her teaching career began as an instructor at her alma mater, NYU, and later extended to prestigious institutions such as CUNY College of Technology, CUNY Law School, and Hofstra Law School. She has also been actively involved in training programs for trial advocacy at renowned institutions, including St. John’s University, Cardozo Law School, and Harvard University.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Edna significantly contributed to law enforcement improvements. She began serving as an Assistant US Attorney for the New York Southern District, and, subsequently, she assumed the role of Bureau Chief at the Attorney’s Office at Kings County. She then served as a Deputy Attorney General at the office of the New York State Attorney General. Her distinguished career is a reflection of her deep commitment to the legal profession and her relentless pursuit of excellence in both civil and public service.