The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) is a

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

ers. Its services include direct representation, case consultation, advocacy, community education, training, financial counseling, and

impact litigation Strategic litigation, also known as impact litigation, is the practice of bringing lawsuits intended to affect societal change. Impact litigation cases may be class action lawsuits or individual claims with broader significance, and may rely on st ...

Approach

NYLAG is able to provide services to undocumented immigrants, and individuals and families who earn above the government-designated

poverty threshold The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

because the agency does not accept Federal

Legal Services Corporation The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is a publicly funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established by the United States Congress. It seeks to ensure equal access to justice under the law for all Americans by funding organizations providing c ...

funding. In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, NYLAG had a budget of $26 million, supplemented by partnerships with law firms and volunteers that donated over 100,000 hours in

pro bono ( English: 'for the public good'), usually shortened to , is a Latin phrase for professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment. The term traditionally referred to provision of legal services by legal professionals for people who a ...

services, valued at over $26 million. On average, NYLAG provides services at an internal cost of $200 per client. In 2016, the agency served over 74,000 clients - over fifty per cent of whom were immigrants. NYLAG has 150 community offices located in courts, hospitals, and community- based organizations in all five boroughs of New York City, Long Island and Westchester and Rockland Counties. The agency partners with 600 health and human services agencies, and provides cross-referrals. The agency has a paid staff of 284 and uses the services of approximately 2,200 pro bono attorneys and other volunteers. Populations Served: immigrants, children with special needs, victims of domestic violence, veterans, elderly, Holocaust survivors, LGBTQ, disabled, tenants, homeowners, victims of natural disasters, serious or chronically ill patients, and consumers. In 2008, NYLAG filed a class action lawsuit with the

Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund LatinoJustice PRLDEF, long known by its former name the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, is a New York–based national civil rights organization with the goal of changing discriminatory practices via advocacy and litigation. Privat ...

, suing the United States government for delays in the processing of Immigration Applications.

References

New York (state) law {{NewYork-stub