The Legal Aid Society

We’re honored to share that The Legal Aid Society has been recognized as a 2024 Goldman Sachs Community Development Champion. We are excited to be a part of the #GSEquityBuildersInitiative.    Our journey has been defined by our commitment to building strong communities. This investment from Goldman Sachs strengthens our resolve to fuel positive change.    With this support, The Legal Aid Society’s Community Development Project will be able to provide legal assistance on licensing and permitting, taxation, and other issues to more than 1,000 small businesses in New York City this year and hold 45 training sessions and clinics on commercial leasing and other topics. We thank Goldman Sachs for partnering with us on our community development initiatives.     Read more about the 2024 #GSCommunityDevelopmentChampions cohort here: https://lnkd.in/eCHywXQU

Congratulations to Dawne Mitchell, Chief Attorney of The LAS Juvenile Rights Practice on being appointed to lead the newly formed Commission on Justice for Families. “The establishment of this landmark commission marks the start of a concerted effort to explore innovative and effective strategies for addressing the systemic challenges that persist within Family Court.” - Dawne A. Mitchell https://lnkd.in/eejHPZnz

Join us in congratulating Jasmina Chuck, DEI Program Manager, and Lejla Bajrami, Social Work Supervisor - Training Unit, for being selected to participate in the NLADA’s Racial Equity Institute – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Fellowship. This six-month training institute will provide them with essential tools and knowledge to strengthen the culture of diversity and inclusion within our organization. We are excited to see what they will learn through this process!

At a time when DEI initiatives are being rolled back in many places, The Legal Aid Society remains committed to this critical work. We’re thrilled to welcome DK Bartley as our new Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer. DK will lead our efforts to foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture, ensuring Legal Aid remains a leader in this space. https://lnkd.in/eaedNijh

This is the final week to apply for our summer internships! This is your chance to gain real-world experience and build your skills with the nation’s largest and oldest public defense and legal services provider. Don’t wait—apply today: https://lnkd.in/ea2fSNf8

This week, New York State Senator Robert Jackson honored our Harlem Community Law Office with an Empire Award. This award celebrates the LAS Harlem team's unwavering advocacy for housing justice and community education: "We are extremely honored and grateful for the recognition that Senator Jackson has bestowed on the Harlem Community Law Office, and the Housing Justice Unit Group Advocacy project here in Manhattan. We are immensely proud of the work we've been able to accomplish in collaboration with the Senator's office as we continue to fight for housing justice and dignity for our communities throughout Manhattan. As we enter this challenging period ahead, we are steadfast in our commitment to continue to work with Senator Jackson and our community partners to ensure that the most vulnerable New Yorkers are protected." Adán Soltren, Esq. Supervising Attorney Housing Justice Unit – Group Advocacy The Legal Aid Society Harlem Community Law Office

"New York cannot afford to lose more experienced public interest lawyers..." 🙌 Agreed. Public defenders are the safety net keeping New Yorkers from falling through the cracks. Thank you to the bipartisan group of 70 lawmakers urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to forgive the student loans of public service lawyers. More: https://lnkd.in/e9eMTSFd

Congratulations to Philip Desgranges, Attorney-in-Charge of the Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Law Reform Unit, on his appointment as co-chair of the task force evaluating the NYC Assigned Counsel Plan, which provides legal representation to low-income individuals. Phil has been a tireless advocate for underserved communities, and we're excited to see the impact this important initiative will have under his leadership. https://lnkd.in/e-izU--R  

👉Attention 1L and 2L students! Our summer internships are open for applications. This is your chance to gain real-world experience and build your skills with the nation’s largest and oldest public defense and legal services provider. Don’t wait—apply today: https://lnkd.in/ea2fSNf8

"I entered law with a fierce passion for justice, eager to challenge the systems that perpetuated inequality. Challenging the status quo has always been a central part of my identity. But early in my career as a public defender, I saw a mentor—one of the most principled attorneys I know—work alongside police, prosecutors, and other public safety stakeholders. At first, I was mad. I thought she was selling out. Over time, I realized she wasn’t selling out; she was building bridges. I wrote about the importance of coalition building in my “Wish I’d Known” column for the American Bar Association's Student Lawyer magazine."  https://lnkd.in/eck5ErYX