A veteran judge who has championed access to justice for the poor will continue her crusade at a Long Island law school after she retires from two high-level state court positions next week.

Justice Fern Fisher is stepping down June 29 as the deputy chief administrative judge in charge of the day-to-day operations of New York City trial courts and as director of the courts' access to justice program for the entire state. She has been a judge for 28 years and spent an unprecedented 20 years as a court administrator.

Dean A. Gail Prudenti confirmed that Fisher will join the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in August as a special assistant to the dean for social justice and public interest initiatives. Fisher will work with administrators and faculty members “to develop and implement a strategic vision to encourage and prepare students and graduates for public interest careers and pro bono service.”