Build Up Justice NYC

10/19/2026

🔥 NYC Heat Season is here! 🔥

Every New Yorker deserves a safe, warm home. Do you know your rights if your heat or hot water isn’t working?

Join Build Up Justice NYC and Queens Community House our FREE “Know Your Rights: Heat Season” webinar on Wednesday, October 28 at 6:00 PM (virtual). Learn about NYC’s heat & hot water laws, what to do if your apartment is too cold, how to handle landlord harassment, and where to get help. Bring your questions for our live Q&A! Spanish interpretation available.

Register now: https://bit.ly/HeatSeason2026

Stay warm. Stay informed. Stand up for your rights.

10/16/2026

Yesterday, we were proud to partner with Willkie Farr & Gallagher, AXA XL, and Bloomberg for a free Advance Directives Clinic!

Volunteer attorneys from all three organizations worked one-on-one with Build Up Justice NYC clients to prepare Health Care Proxies and Powers of Attorney - important legal documents that help individuals plan for the future and ensure their wishes are respected.

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteer attorneys and to Willkie, AXA XL, and Bloomberg for generously sharing their time and expertise. Partnerships like these help make essential legal services accessible to New Yorkers who might otherwise go without them.

10/06/2026

Build Up Justice NYC was proud to join New York State Attorney General Letitia James and community partners in the Bronx to raise awareness about deed theft and the importance of protecting homeowners from fraud.

For many New Yorkers, a home represents years of hard work, stability, and something to pass on to the next generation. Deed theft can put all of that at risk.

Events like this help make sure homeowners know the warning signs, understand their rights, and know where to turn for trusted legal support.

Thank you to New York Attorney General James, Center for NYC Neighborhoods and all of the partners who came together to help spread the word and protect New York homeowners.

10/05/2026

Last Friday, Build Up Justice NYC was proud to stand on the steps of City Hall alongside Sisters In Purple in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 💜

We joined advocates, survivors and community partners to raise awareness, stand in solidarity with survivors and reaffirm our commitment to helping New Yorkers experiencing domestic violence.

Through our Domestic Violence Unit, we work every day to help survivors navigate complex legal challenges and access the support they need to move forward safely.

We were honored to be part of this powerful show of support and to stand together for survivors across New York City. 💜

10/01/2026

It's never too late (or too soon!) to plan for your future. Today, we hosted a free Wills & Estates clinic in partnership with the Pride Center of Staten Island We talked through the essentials of estate planning, answered pressing questions, and provided one-on-one consultation to participants.

Big thanks to our Wills & Estates attorney Andrew Epstein and Pete Dugan from the Pride Center for making this day a success!

09/29/2026

Ever wonder how one unexpected decision can change your life—and the lives of so many others?

Meet Shadel Cole, our Deputy Director of Paralegals on the Brooklyn housing team. Nearly six years ago, Shadel almost skipped her interview. Today, she’s building a powerhouse team of advocates who fight for tenants’ rights and never stop asking, “What more can we do?”

Discover the unforgettable client who inspires her, the advice she wishes every New Yorker knew, and why Shadel is so passionate about justice for all.

Get inspired by Shadel’s story: https://buj.org/the-people-behind-the-mission-shadel/

“What I enjoy most is knowing that I’m a part of doing good things in my community.” For Shadel Cole, Deputy Director of Paralegals with Build Up Justice NYC’s Preserving Affordable Housing – Brooklyn…

09/25/2026

Rental assistance works when New Yorkers can actually use it.

While New York City’s expanded investment in rental assistance is an important first step, bureaucratic delays can prevent that assistance from reaching families when they need it most.

As Tiffany Femiano, Build Up Justice NYC Program Director, explains:

“Rental assistance works when New Yorkers can actually use it. We see firsthand how bureaucratic delays can put families at risk of losing their housing. Sometimes, by the time a voucher is approved, the landlord has decided to rent an apartment to a different family because they couldn’t afford to keep their unit vacant any longer. The City’s expanded investment in rental assistance is an important first step. The next step in this process is for City Council to pass the proposed bills to make sure the system works as intended so that New Yorkers can get the help they need to remain stably housed.”

The next step? Ensuring the system works as intended so New Yorkers can access the help they need to remain stably housed.

Read the full article: https://www.amny.com/news/nyc-expanded-rental-assistance-fix-bureaucracy/

09/24/2026

Last night, we celebrated excellence in civil legal services at the New York State Bar Association’s Denison Ray Awards!

We were especially proud to celebrate Build Up Justice NYC’s Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel, Ndukwe Agwu, as he received the Denison Ray Pro Bono Director Award.

A heartfelt congratulations to Ndukwe and all of last night’s honorees! It was a joy to celebrate alongside so many dedicated advocates whose work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of New Yorkers every day. We are so proud to see Ndukwe among them!

09/23/2026

𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗧? 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘? 🏪

Twice a month, NYC small business owners can meet one-on-one with an attorney for a FREE 30-minute virtual consultation through our Commercial Lease Assistance Clinic.

Get answers to questions about commercial leases, landlord issues, or other legal concerns affecting your business.

Next Tuesday | September 29th | 4PM
Virtual | FREE | 30 minute one-on-one sessions

Register here: bit.ly/CLAVirtualClinic

Know someone thinking about opening a storefront or renewing their lease? 𝗧𝗮𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁!

09/18/2026

Don’t ignore those tax bills or notices! Have a tax question? Let’s talk!

We’re teaming up with our friends at Grow Brooklyn for our FREE Drop-In Tax Table.

Join us for a 15-minute consultation where we can talk through your individual tax concerns and connect you with information about tax legal assistance and other resources that may be available to you.

Reserve your 15-minute spot: https://bit.ly/taxtalkthursdays