| Legal Services NYC |
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For 45 years, our attorneys, paralegals, social workers and support staff have enabled low-income New Yorkers to navigate the civil legal system. Each year, we help more than 10,000 families avoid homelessness and more than 45,000 low-income New Yorkers with a full range of their legal needs. Our network is community-based and includes offices in low-income neighborhoods and transportation hubs throughout New York City. |
News and Events
We are disappointed that the Legal Services Staff Association (LSSA) voted to strike rather than accept our proposal to respond to a 50% drop in Federal funding ($8 million total) with necessary changes to healthcare and retirement programs. Without those changes, we will be forced to lay off as many as 50 people by the end of 2014.
Effective May 16, LSSA’s 220 members will be on the picket line instead of in the courts and offices fighting for their clients.
A strike is not good for our staff, our clients or their communities. We are very hopeful that we can return to the bargaining table quickly and resolve this impasse to restore programs like foreclosure prevention and immigration assistance for the New Yorkers who depend on us.
In the interim, please know that all of our offices will remain open. We have put into place very detailed plans to ensure continued services to clients.
After long deliberation, the Board of Legal Services NYC has made the difficult decision to postpone our Jazz for Justice fundraising event scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2013, in light of the current work dispute with, and strike by, staff attorneys, paralegals, and support staff.
Each year, Jazz for Justice celebrates the spirit of our staff and our work, and honors the accomplishments of those individuals whose exemplary dedication help ensure access to civil legal services for New Yorkers in need.
However, given the present labor dispute, we believe it is important for us to direct all of our efforts to concluding a new collective bargaining agreement with the union as soon as possible.
Please contact Antonio Quesada at (646) 442-3565 or via email at aquesada@ls-nyc.org if you have any questions.
We greatly appreciate your continued support of Jazz for Justice and are terribly sorry that we had to postpone our event this year.
April 9, 2013, Harlem, NY—A group of low-income, elderly tenants are going to court to bring a stop to a long term, sustained harassment campaign started by their landlords in order to get higher rents. The tenants are represented by Manhattan Legal Services (a program of Legal Services NYC) and DLA Piper (Stephen Davidson and Capricci Barush, serving as pro bono counsel).
(Above: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries with tenants of 2770 West 33rd Street and advocates from Legal Services NYC and Brooklyn Jubilee)
April 5, 2013, Brooklyn, NY—Tenants and advocates in Coney Island today announced legal action against a landlord who has failed to repair an elevator damaged by Superstorm Sandy, leaving several disabled and mobility-impaired tenants effectively stranded in their apartments for months.
Civil Rights Action Filed on Behalf of Limited English Proficient New Yorkers
March 21, 2013, New York, NY—Legal Services NYC announced today that it has initiated a civil rights action against the NYPD regarding their routine discrimination against immigrant New Yorkers who seek police assistance in times of crisis. This lawsuit is brought in Federal court on behalf of five limited English proficient (LEP) survivors of domestic violence and crime victims who have been denied interpretation by the NYPD, and thus denied access to vital police services, all in violation of federal and City laws.
(Above: LSNYC Client Arlet Macareno speaks at a press conference announcing the suit. Photo credit: Anthony Navarrete)
March 19th, 2013, New York, NY—Legal Services NYC-Bronx and Queens Legal Services today announced the filing of a new federal lawsuit that seeks to reform the New York City Housing Authority’s treatment of domestic violence victims who are seeking emergency public housing in order to escape from their abusers.
