Legal Aid Society

Advocating for Financial Rights & Assisting Entrepreneurs

The Legal Aid Society’s specialized teams of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff advocate for the financial rights of New Yorkers in four distinct, yet interrelated, legal fields: consumer law, tax law, foreclosure prevention, and small business and not-for-profit legal assistance.

 

 

 

 

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Every day, in courthouses and communities across the city, we advocate for the rights of all New Yorkers. Learn more about the services we provide.

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Making a Difference

Projects, Units & Initiatives

Our specialized teams have experience working on nearly every area of law that impacts New Yorkers. Explore the ways we fight on behalf of clients and communities.

Our Impact

Client Stories: Sajida Malik Starts a New Chapter Free From Debt

Sajida credits Islam with saving her life after a brush with financial ruin allowed her to reconnect with her faith. Legal Aid helped provide a fresh start for the mother of three by clearing debt accrued under her name.

Sajida Malik 

Our Partner Work

Expanding Access to Legal Representation Through Tax Advocates

The Legal Aid Society’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic works tirelessly to improve the experience of taxpayers under both the Federal and State tax laws and to ensure the fairness and integrity of the tax system with regard low-income and ESL taxpayers. One way we do so is by partnering with skilled pro bono tax advocates in order to expand access to legal representation.

We built on our relationship with the law firms of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Milbank LLP, which had frequently accepted cases for pro bono representation before the IRS. We partnered with them on an Offer In Compromise (OIC) Project where partners, associates, and other members of the firm provide direct representation to our clients in tax settlement cases. This collaboration allows the LITC to increase its reach in the community, gives low-income taxpayers an opportunity to fully access free and high quality legal services, and increases the private bar’s involvement in our communities.

By the Numbers

On a daily basis, the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic assists with eliminating burdensome federal and state tax debt, the Community Development Project advocates for small business owners, nonprofit organizations, and HDFCs, and the Consumer Law Project defends against unfair debt collection practices.

$1.3M

Tax liabilities eliminated by the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.

800+

Individuals benefited by the Community Development Project.

89%

Of represented clients lowered their debt as a result of intervention by the Consumer Law Project.

A contribution to The Legal Aid Society is about more than money.

Every donation helps us offer essential legal services to thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers, helping people buy food, pay rent, and care for themselves and their families.

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