The Legal Aid Society exists for one simple yet powerful reason: to ensure that no New Yorker is denied the right to equal justice because of poverty.

For over 140 years, we have protected, defended, and advocated for those that have struggled in silence for far too long – working on the front-lines and behind-the-scenes to offer our clients the exceptional legal services they deserve.

Through our Civil, Criminal Defense, and Juvenile Rights Practices, we offer an unmatched depth and breadth of legal expertise to vulnerable New Yorkers in over 300,000 legal matters each and every year. 

Every day, in every borough, The Legal Aid Society changes the lives of our clients with the help of our supporters.

For immediate help, call 212-577-3300

OUR THREE PRACTICES

 

WHAT WE DO

Deborah's Story

Mia's Story

Wilmer's Story

Must Read: #BethKrause, Supervising Atty at the Immigrant Youth Project at LAS, spoke to @theintercept about the recent federal court ruling blocking the Trump admin's attack on the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program. The ruling "reaffirms our perception of how this administration has been intentionally targeting some of the most vulnerable populations. We saw right through it. The judge saw through it. And they can’t act in this manner. The administration can’t, through policymaking, change statute. They can’t change the law that way.” #ProtectSIJS. Link in bio.
Thank you @nowthispolitics for helping shed light on NYPD’s genetic stop and frisk tactics. Police trick individuals--primarily people of color, from low-income communities, and those who are already suffering from a lack of services and over-policing--into giving over their DNA without their consent. Link in bio. (Pictured: #TerriRosenblatt, Supervising Attorney of our DNA Unit)
Today, NYIFUP providers are heading to the New York City Council budget hearing to call on the City to allocate $16.6 million to defend immigrant New Yorkers from ICE detention & deportation. Without #NYIFUP funding, 40% of immigrants detained in NYC may not receive counsel. We will once again see NYers facing trained ICE attorneys arguing unopposed for their deportation. People will be deported away from their families, not knowing they may have had a strong defense. New York City Council must #fundNYIFUP to protect families from being torn apart by deportation. #FundNYIFUP

OUR LOCATIONS