The Legal Aid Society

📣 Join us for the Harlem Community Forum! The Legal Aid Society invites you to a day of learning, connection, and community action. Saturday, April 26th, 10 AM–5 PM. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/erBa6E4x

Passionate about legal reform and justice? The Legal Aid Society is looking for a strategic, collaborative, and politically savvy communications leader to drive our mission forward as Chief Communications Officer.   This is a unique opportunity to shape public discourse and advocate for meaningful change. Learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/ez9PUVUV

Andres knew that coming to the U.S. meant starting from zero — working at Baruir Coffee in Sunnyside, Queens, was his first step toward building a life in his new country. He worked at the shop for ten years, ordering coffee beans and roasting them on-site. He helped customers with their orders and managed vendor relationships. By the time the pandemic hit, Andres says the owner only came by to sign the checks. So when the retiring owner offered to sell him the store, Andres knew it was a big opportunity. With the help of Legal Aid's Community Development Project, attorney Rolando Gonzales worked with Andres to make his dream a reality. ☕ Full story here: https://lnkd.in/e4bQy9Tr

Our work is made possible by a dedicated team—attorneys, investigators, translators, social workers, and more. This #GideonDay, we’re celebrating the commitment and passion that fuel our mission.

“Student debt continues to drive our members out of the legal services jobs they love, starving communities of necessary advocates in these frightening times. The federal student loan programs we rely on are in peril and we are thankful to the Senate and Assembly for addressing the problem head-on.” Lisa Ohta, President of the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys, UAW Local 2325. https://lnkd.in/gAui5uDy

A look back at our most successful New Leadership Program Winter Benefit yet! Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and guests, we raised nearly $75,000—funds that will help us continue fighting for NYC’s most vulnerable communities.

Tune in to learn more about the Treatment Court Expansion Act and the need for more public-health based interventions in our criminal legal system, featuring Legal Aid Mental Health Attorney Specialist Jeffrey Berman. Share your thoughts in comments!

The average law student graduates with $130,000 in debt, yet public interest attorneys in New York can only receive up to $20,400 in loan assistance over six years. On top of being woefully underpaid and under-resourced, public interest attorneys are weighed down by crushing student loan debt. This immense stress will only exacerbate staffing shortages and harm the very communities we serve. That’s why our attorneys’ chapter of International Union, UAW and The Legal Aid Society are urging lawmakers and Gov. Hochul to pass legislation that would increase funding for the District Attorney and Indigent Legal Services Attorney Loan Forgiveness (DALF) program. To learn more read our joint op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/e8xu9PZS

Join us in welcoming our newest LAS board members: Elyse Glazer, Managing Associate General Counsel in Litigation, Regulatory Enforcement, and Investigations at HSBC. Elyse has a deep, longstanding commitment to pro bono work. She was recently recognized by HSBC for her work to relaunch its US Pro Bono Program and is a member of HSBC’s pro bono committee. Josh Kalish, Partner, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital (ECVC), at Farrell Fritz, P.C. and member of the Farrell Fritz pro bono committee. In 2024, Josh was recognized by City & State as a member of the “Responsible 100.” From 2012 – 2018, Josh served as a founding member of the LAS New Leadership Program (NLP) and helped launch the NLP’s Winter Benefit, the NLP’s largest annual fundraising event for the Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice. Philippe Selendy, founding partner of Selendy Gay PLLC. Heralded as “The Man Who Took on Wall Street” by the Financial Times, Philippe won an unprecedented $25 billion in trial victories and settlements for U.S. taxpayers. Selendy Gay successfully fought alongside LAS to protect tenant rights in rent-stabilization cases affecting over one million renters. We're thrilled to welcome new expert voices to our team and excited for the impactful work ahead!

Our mission is made possible by our dedicated team of expert social workers who tirelessly support our clients' needs and advocate on their behalf. Join us in celebrating #SocialWorkMonth, a time to recognize the important work that social workers are doing across the country.