Updated 8/2023
The NY Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) is currently the main partner for legal services and should be the first option for connecting patients with legal services. To understand the referral process, please see the workflow section of the Legal Screening & Referrals toolkit (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c0YMg5V4xL8rPOrSg_0-cxD8Ws6qTrxKCqddzPr1TK0/edit).
To refer a patient to NYLAG, please refer the patient to ACT while they are in clinic so ACT can do a detailed legal screening and facilitate a Social Work referral. Student clinicians should not contact NYLAG directly. If you are unable to refer your patient to ACT while in clinic, please fill out the referral form and select Legal NYLAG (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflCX5X-dfWqq8jvuCY4imFOmALcKtROsUXPR4Ax8E3KPFFyg/viewform).
Below is a list of other organizations with legal services to which you may wish to refer your patient if they say they were unable to connect with NYLAG or if the patient would prefer to see an attorney from a different organization.
Urban Justice Center
123 William Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10038
Email: snp@urbanjustice.org
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm/Thursday: 9:30am – 1:30pm at New York Common Pantry
Services: For assistance with public assistance, food stamps & eviction prevention. We also provide appropriate advice/referrals regarding other problems including referrals for housing court assistance. Spanish spoken
Appointments: Arrive early, clinics are first come/first served, and we ask everyone to sign in. The legal staff is comprised of both attorneys and legal advocates. The person you meet may not be a lawyer. Clinics may occasionally close.
Cost: Free
Language: English, Spanish
MFY Legal Services Employment Law Clinic
299 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10007
Hours: Monday – Tuesday: 2pm – 5pm
Services: For low-wage and immigrant workers - free legal advice about job-related problems: lost job or hours reduced, employer refuses to pay wages or overtime, having problems with obtaining unemployment insurance, cannot find or keep work because of a criminal record, you were fired because you or a family member got sick, you are not getting the pension or other benefits your employer promised, you were discriminated against at work, etc.
Appointments: Call to schedule an appointment. During call, questions are asked concerning the case before organization decides the take the case.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: All individuals regardless of citizenship status
Language: Spanish, Creole, French, Mandarin, Cantonese; if language not served, use interpreter or language line
Legal Action Center - Free Legal Services for HIV-Positive New Yorkers
225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014
(212) 243-1313
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-223-4044
Email: lacinfo@lac.org
Services: The Legal Action Center can help HIV-positive New Yorkers address a host of legal issues, including overcoming barriers created by a criminal record, HIV discrimination, confidentiality & testing, standby guardianships, living wills, and health care proxies.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Regardless of citizenship, for issues of HIV discrimination and/or criminal record. No walk-ins (patients should call ahead).
Languages: English, Spanish