LawNY is a not-for-profit organization which provides civil legal services to low-income clients in a fourteen-county region in western New York State. We provide legal advice and representation in the areas of housing, public benefits, family law on behalf of victims of domestic violence, employment, consumer, health, and education. LawNY focuses on meeting the legal needs of individual clients, as well as addressing systemic problems that create barriers for clients living in poverty.
Volunteer Opportunities
LawNY's COVID-19 Tenant Legal Assistance Initiative
Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne and Yates counties
In 2020, LawNY received a grant from the Office of Attorney General to develop and manage a regional volunteer attorney program to support tenants outside New York City. The project involved partnering with other Upstate legal service agencies to provide coordinated assistance to tenants facing eviction. The main goal was to provide tenant access to legal representation and increase the number of individuals and families we can help that are facing loss of housing.
LawNY will continue this project through the end of 2021 using dedicated staff who are coordinating referrals, have prepared training materials and are providing on-going support to volunteer attorneys that enroll.
Tenants are still in need of advocacy to get information about their rights, advice for tenants experiencing sub-standard conditions, options to address landlords failing to make repairs and other issues.
Send an email to doprobono@lawny.org for more information or complete this form to be contacted by a member of our team.
Legal Assistance of Western New York
Removing Barriers to employment based on criminal convictions.pdfGetting to Work: Reentry Project focuses on reducing barriers to employment
VISTA member, Ronette Steele, joined LawNY's Regional Pro Bono Team in March 2021 to coordinate starting a rural reentry project. This project will focus on recruiting volunteers to assist rural clients in areas outside of Monroe County, the only urban county within LawNY's service area.
Volunteers will provide legal assistance with barriers to employment related to Reentry Employment Issues in rural Upstate New York counties. Volunteers, Private Attorneys/ Law Graduates, may assist clients with applying with Certificates of Relief from Disabilities, NYS Sealing, and Occupational Licenses. Additional services available now include reviewing RAP sheets for marijuana expungement eligibility and correcting any possible errors.
Formerly incarcerated individuals face many challenges reintegrating into society. Contact Ronette today to find out more about this great opportunity and GET TO WORK helping individuals overcome obstacles to obtaining employment. LawNY provides training, support, materials and step-by-step guidance on the process for those venturing into a new area. LawNY offers CLE credits for pro bono service and is an accredited CLE provider.
rsteele@lawny.org or doprobono@lawny.org
Serving Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates counties.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits Assistance
Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne and Yates counties
LawNY is creating a panel of private attorneys to help unemployed clients navigate new court protocols and guidance, obtain vital benefits, and increase family stabilization through direct representation at administrative phone hearings.
Law Graduates and Law Students can provide representation at hearings while working closely with staff or providing support to advocates. Training is available from staff if desired.
UIB Flyer 2020.pdfUncontested Pro Se Divorce Projects
Livingston, Ontario, Wayne and Yates counties - Geneva Office
Assist pro se litigants with filing uncontested divorces. LawNY needs attorneys in Livingston, Ontario and Wayne counties in 2020 to serve an unmet need in these counties. Attorneys review the drafted pleadings, meet with clients to sign their pro se paperwork and provide advice and counsel to the client. Attorneys have the option of meeting with clients at a LawNY office, or at their office.
Volunteer law students, law graduates and paralegals draft the necessary pleadings. Through a community partnership LawNY also utilizes paralegal students from Finger Lakes Community College to assist with a set number of clients doing case and document preparation.
Email doprobono@lawny.org for more information or sign-up to volunteer here.
Allegany and Steuben Counties - Bath Office
The Bath Office is offering a remote pro bono opportunity to assist pro se litigants in obtaining uncontested divorces. LawNY needs attorneys to assist clients in Allegany and Steuben Counties in 2020, to serve an unmet need. Attorneys review the drafted pro se divorce pleadings and provide feedback as necessary.
Volunteer law students and law graduates draft the necessary pleadings. If you are interested in earning free CLE credit, while helping clients in need, fill out our volunteer form today! Less than an hour of your time can help increase the number of clients we are able to serve.
Email doprobono@lawny.org for more information or sign-up to volunteer here.
Cattaraugus County - Olean Office
Offering clinics to pre-registered clients. Attorneys meet with multiple clients to review and execute pleadings and offer counsel and advice on the pro se process. There is a growing need for attorneys in Cattaraugus county to assist our Olean office at clinics. If you are interested in earning free CLE credit while helping clients in need, fill-out our volunteer form today! Just two hours of your time can help increase the number of clients we can serve.
Email doprobono@lawny.org for more information or if you would like to volunteer for a clinic complete our sign-up form here!
Chautauqua County - Jamestown office
Offering clinics once a month to pre-registered clients. Attorneys meet with multiple clients to review and execute pleadings and offer counsel and advice on the pro se process. Strong support from the Jamestown Bar Association has made this recurring event a success.
In 2020, through localized efforts, our staff has expanded this model to a new location in the northern part of Chautauqua county to increase access to these services for clients with limited transportation.
Email doprobono@lawny.org for more information or if you would like to volunteer for a clinic complete our sign-up form here!
Chemung and Schuyler counties- Elmira office
Assist clients with full representation in uncontested divorces. Meet with clients, draft and file pleadings, and offer counsel and advice on the divorce process. If you are an attorney interested in earning free CLE credit while helping clients in need, email us at doprobono@lawny.org or fill-out our volunteer form today!
Tompkins and Tioga County - Ithaca Office
UPDATE: DUE TO THE CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS THE CLINIC DATES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED.
Volunteer law students, law graduates and summer interns will gather information and prepare pro se pleadings to eligible clients. Attorneys meet with multiple clients to review and execute pleadings and offer counsel and advice on the pro se process.
Attorneys will have the option to sign up for one or more 2 1/2 hour time-slots depending on their availability or desired commitment.
Email doprobono@lawny.org for more information or if you would like to volunteer for a clinic complete our sign-up form here!
Full Representation Opportunities for Divorces
Prefer to co-counsel a case and take advantage of NYS e-filing? LawNY can provide assistance in gaining fee waivers for e-filed cases. All LawNY Pro Bono clients qualify for a certification of poor person status. Training and support will be provided as needed, as well as access to staff templates and resources. Attorneys are eligible to receive CLE credits for their service hours.
Email doprobono@lawny.org for more information or sign-up to volunteer here.
Thank you and Good Luck Bridget Cook!
New York Bar Foundation Joan L. Ellenbogen Memorial Fellowship
Bridget Cook was a legal fellow under the New York Bar Foundation’s Joan L. Ellenbogen Memorial Fellowship. A graduate of Albany Law School, Bridget has a background in family law, health law, and criminal law, having served in various internships at the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, Faraci Lange, and The Albany Law Justice Center.
The Ellenbogen Fellowship was a 10-week fellowship based in LawNY's Lakeville office. The fellowship goal is to encourage lawyers and law students in the practice of matrimonial law, so that more New York residents will have access to representation and a greater understanding of their legal rights in matrimonial and family law proceedings.
We thank Bridget for the connections and strides made during the fellowship to expand access to legal services through pro bono involvement. While Bridget's fellowship has ended the need for volunteer attorneys has not. Livingston County domestic violence survivors still need your help, providing them with information about family law issues, from child support and child custody to spousal support and divorce. If you are an attorney living or working in Livingston county or the surrounding area, and would like to assist domestic violence survivors while earning pro bono CLE credits, contact LawNY today at lcfamilylawhelp@lawny.org
Livingston Pro Bono Flyer (1).pdfSummer Intern Program
Law Student Intern Program - All Locations
Provides law students with a complete and meaningful legal experience in the public interest sector. Students will provide assistance on a variety of civil legal matters including housing, disability, family law, unemployment insurance, public benefits, consumer law, and/or foreclosure issues, per the student’s interest and LawNY®’s needs. Projects and activities may include conducting client intakes/meetings; corresponding with clients via phone or mail; conducting legal research; preparing pleadings, memorandums, and other legal documents; and advocating for clients. Students will gain exposure to a variety of legal forums and other social services agencies.
COVID-19 UPDATE:
LawNY focuses on areas of law that impact people's health, income and housing. We know that COVID-19 (the coronavirus) has introduced a tremendous amount of uncertainty into our local communities. LawNY continues to be committed to delivering high quality legal services to our clients in a safe and effective manner. We are currently assessing our organization's most pressing needs in this quickly changing environment. We are open for business, however our offices are closed to the public and all staff have been working remotely.
At home and want to help others during this crisis? Worried about your skills getting rusty? Volunteer to help clients remotely! All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and a willingness to volunteer! We have remote research, document drafting and review, and other projects available! We are recruiting volunteers for a Bankruptcy project focusing on tax foreclosures, and an anticipated rising need to assist clients with Unemployment Benefits hearings. Contact us today at www.nyprobono.org or doprobono@lawny.org!
