Legal Services NYC’s Jenna Coudin Wins NLADA New Leaders in Advocacy Award 

Legal Services NYC’s Jenna Coudin, a supervising attorney in its Manhattan office, won the National Legal Aid and Defender Association’s (NLADA) prestigious New Leaders in Advocacy Award which recognizes rising attorneys who demonstrate extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment early in their careers as civil legal aid or indigent defense advocates. As part of the award, Jenna will also join NLADA’s Beacon of Justice selection process next year. 

“Jenna’s client-centered approach and dedication to advancing human rights and social justice exemplify the values Legal Services NYC stands for,” LSNYC’s Executive Director Shervon Small said. “Her passion, innovative thinking, and deep compassion have made her an extraordinary advocate and leader in our organization. We are thrilled to see her work honored on the national stage and look forward to seeing her thrive in the years ahead, which will no doubt continue to uplift and empower the communities she serves.”  

A French Caribbean native from the south of France, Jenna holds law degrees from Toulouse Capitole Law School in France and Stetson University College of Law in Florida. 

 Her legal career spans data privacy, international law, and housing rights. At Legal Services NYC, Jenna works tirelessly to prevent evictions and secure access to essential benefits for New Yorkers. She also serves as an adjunct professor at New York Law School, where she teaches in the Housing Rights Clinic, inspiring the next generation of public interest lawyers. 

“It’s truly an honor to receive the New Leaders in Advocacy Award,” LSNYC Supervising Attorney and NLADA New Leaders in Advocacy Award Winner Jenna Coudin said. “The world is harsh, and winter is even tougher for those without homes. It’s especially hard for Black and Brown communities struggling daily to close impossible gaps, for those with disabilities, and for those fighting to keep their homes in housing court. Our clients are why we show up every day. We work tirelessly, fight relentlessly, and push our limits because as long as injustice persists, public interest advocates like us will always have work to do.”