Brooklyn Legal Service (BLS), is Legal Services NYC's largest program. For more than 50 years, BLS has provided high-quality, innovative representation to low-income communities throughout Brooklyn. BLS advances the interests of our clients and creates systemic changes that strengthen and protect Brooklyn communities through litigation, advocacy, education and outreach. We focus on those areas of law which have the greatest impact on the lives of our clients and their communities - preserving affordable and decent housing, maintaining income support, redressing predatory lending and consumer practices, promoting family stability, and mitigating the effects of domestic violence. Our advocates work tirelessly to protect the rights of low-income immigrants, LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities, older adults, people with disabilities, veterans and other vulnerable populations in our borough.
In the past year alone, we opened more than 11,000 cases benefiting over 68,000 Brooklynites. Our client work spans from day-to-day representations in court, to civil rights complaints in state and federal agencies, to multi-year litigation and advocacy to create strong, equitable, affordable communities.
BLS has deep roots in communities throughout Brooklyn. We work closely with community-based organizations, conduct community-based outreach and legal clinics, and partner with our pro bono colleagues to maximize our services and address the root causes of poverty.