Cy Pres: Providing Access to Justice for Thousands of Low-Income New Yorkers
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) uses cy pres awards to provide access to justice for thousands of low-income New Yorkers who would otherwise go without representation. Our dedicated advocates offer free civil legal services on consumer rights, family law, tax, domestic violence, immigration, foreclosure protection, tenant rights, anti-eviction, housing repair, employment, homelessness, veterans’ rights, government benefits, disability, education, discrimination, and disaster relief, among other things.
LSNYC is a Frequent Recipient of Cy Pres Awards
LSNYC has received millions of dollars in unused residual funds from class actions. LSNYC is a natural fit for such awards: just as the purpose of the class action mechanism is to provide access to justice for people who would otherwise be left without relief, LSNYC’s purpose is to provide free legal services to low-income people who would otherwise go without counsel in crucial civil proceedings.
What LSNYC Achieves with Cy Pres Awards Every $100,000 sent to LSNYC permits us to serve approximately 350 additional low-income New Yorkers.
To learn more about the key program areas supported by cy pres awards, click here (PDF).