The ongoing battle for St. Clare's retirees has prompted several legal professionals to help recover millions in lost pensions. 

"It's going to be necessary for us to file a lawsuit to get settlements actually moving," said Albany Law Professor David Pratt.

Shortly after being absorbed by Ellis Hospital, the corporation announced last year that the funds were not enough to pay out benefits to more than 1,000 employees.

"You've got people who have worked their entire working lives, in some cases, who walked away with nothing," said Legal Aid Society Attorney Victoria Esposito.

Retiree Mary Harthshorne, who recently had to sell her home, said she is ready to see some resolution.

"We've been at a point where there are answers we don't have, and we don't know how to get them," Hartshorne said.

Over a half-dozen law professionals, including some from AARP, have signed on to help.

"All of them are working for us pro bono, [so] that's amazing," Hartshorne said.

This is in light of the fact that St. Clare's corporation's latest effort to dissolve has heightened concerns.

"Now [they] want to go out of business owing the pension plan a substantial amount of money and not be held accountable for anything," Pratt said.

Lawyers say the attorney general's moratorium on the dissolution may help retirees gain some ground.

"This is one of those cases where right and wrong is black and white, and I'm lucky to have a part of this," Esposito said.