The Legal Aid Society

The Legal Aid Society proudly participated in this year's Lavender Law Conference - the most prominent LGBTQ+ law conference in the U.S. - reinforcing our commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights and advocating for marginalized communities. Legal Aid highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure equal justice for all, while fostering critical conversations about the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the legal system - including the life-threatening conditions TGNCNBI people face in jails and prisons in New York City. The presentations included: State of the Law: Addressing Systemic Racial Barriers Impacting Black LGBTQ Communities, and Its Perpetuation Through Emerging Policies and Legal Doctrines The Struggles Faced by Incarcerated Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Intersex and Nonbinary People: Using a Multi-Pronged Harm Reduction Approach to Effective Reform Breaking the Cycles of Criminalization: A Joint Civil and Criminal Defense Approach To learn more about our LBGTQ+ Law & Policy Unit: https://lnkd.in/gpACxvEY #LavenderLaw #LavLaw

NEW: Legal Aid and Milbank LLP filed a lawsuit against the City over the NYPD’s practice of illegally accessing, using, and disclosing sealed records of youth ages 7-17. “The NYPD must stop perpetually punishing young people,” Kate Wood, attorney, Legal Aid. More: https://lnkd.in/ecDqT_XE

$631,268,818. That’s how much taxpayers have shelled out to cover NYPD misconduct lawsuits since 2018. The bill for 2024 so far is $82,168,417. That’s more than the full amounts for three of the previous six years. If trends continue, 2024 will see the highest taxpayer bill for NYPD misconduct in years - $140,000,000. These eye-popping figures underscore how much of the public’s money—which could be used to build stronger communities—goes towards propping up the NYPD. And that’s without considering their $11B+ budget. The amount of money we divert away from communities toward the NYPD matters to every New Yorker who wants to live in a thriving city, especially low-income New Yorkers of color who struggle to navigate unjust systems on their road to lead dignified lives, full of opportunity. After all, the strongest communities are those with the most investments. Learn more about our work to hold the NYPD accountable and build thriving communities: https://lnkd.in/ePAjfQKk

NEW: Today, Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defenders, and Milbank LLP filed a contempt motion against the NYC Department of Correction (DOC) for its ongoing failure to provide medical care to incarcerated New Yorkers. "Incarcerated New Yorkers have a right to access medical care while in custody, and the DOC’s continued failure to comply with the law and any semblance of humanity is beyond the pale. As such, we’re asking a court to again hold them in contempt for this abject cruelty," Veronica Vela, supervising attorney, Prisoners' Rights Project, Legal Aid. “People wait in pain and fear as their chronic conditions deteriorate, their medical issues become severe, and their urgent requests for emergency care are ignored. DOC’s indifference to the health of the people in its custody cannot be allowed to continue," Alyssa Briody, senior attorney, Civil Rights & Law Reform Unit, Brooklyn Defenders. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eg69hg_K

"Legal Aid's impact on the lives of the voiceless is immeasurable. I'm truly honored and humbled to lead this storied institution," LAS Attorney-in-Chief & CEO Twyla Carter reflects on her two years. More: https://lnkd.in/emSR6v2w

Legal Aid Attorney-in-Chief and CEO Twyla Carter joined 'Reaching Out With Gregory Floyd' to make the case for our mission to deliver justice to low-income New Yorkers in every borough. For our work to thrive, public defender organizations need commensurate funding and robust loan-forgiveness programs to ensure we can meet the high demand for our services. New Yorkers deserve nothing less. More: https://lnkd.in/e9_MSYuy

Black Attorneys of Legal Aid (BALA) is hosting an information session to share an insider view of life inside NYC's premiere public defender organization. This is a great opportunity for Black law school students, graduates, and lawyers exploring a career advocating for low-income New Yorkers. Bring a friend and bring your questions! RSVP: surveymonkey.com/r/Z9W7B98 Meeting ID: 283 121 070 386 Passcode: Ebd3qL

Exploring a legal career in impact litigation? How about a job in legislative and policy advocacy? Join us to explore life at Legal Aid’s Civil Practice from the people who work at NYC’s premiere public defender organization. RSVP: surveymonkey.com/r/TZ7BXLY Meeting ID: 291 033 404 079 Passcode: Qdd2S8

Thank you to the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Access to Justice and Director Rachel Rossi and her team for visiting The Legal Aid Society and having a candid discussion about our work and the funding and resource challenges we face as we continue to protect and serve New York's most vulnerable communities. #accesstojustice #publicdefense #civillegalaid #fundingfairness #justiceineveryborough

Legal Aid is looking for passionate youth advocates to join our Juvenile Rights Practice. Join us if you want to explore a legal career as a lawyer for children at NYC's premiere public defender organization. RSVP: surveymonkey.com/r/TZ7BXLY Meeting ID: 226 974 201 32 Passcode: QnGKUz