The Legal Aid Society

09/04/2026

Public safety is not achieved by criminalizing poverty or over-policing Black and brown neighborhoods. New Yorkers deserve policies that address the root causes of harm and connect people to the support they need.

09/04/2026

“True justice requires stable housing, economic opportunity, and educational pathways, not just a lawyer standing between someone and the system.”

In an interview with Rolling Out, our Attorney-in-Chief and CEO Twyla Carter discusses her historic appointment and the fight to expand what justice looks like for low-income New Yorkers. Watch the full conversation here: https://rollingout.live/video_player.html?saved_video_guid=b96df15a-4b1e-42cf-89a9-727f33e35f92

Legal Aid Society CEO Twyla Carter discusses her historic appointment, the $175 million housing settlement, Raise the Age, ICE enforcement and the push to

09/03/2026

Legal Aid intern Amanda Waggoner spent her summer with our Juvenile Rights Practice on Staten Island, working alongside attorneys, social workers, and other advocates to support children in Family Court. Her experience gave her a firsthand look at JRP’s holistic approach to advocacy and helped shape the kind of advocate she hopes to become. “I developed a deep understanding and appreciation for this work and am eager to learn, grow, and contribute more to this practice.”

Her Staten Island recommendation? Shaw-naé’s House in Stapleton for soul food that will make your “tummy and heart sing.”

08/26/2026

For Women’s Equality Day, we’re highlighting Rosalie Loew, a trailblazer in Legal Aid’s history.

In 1902, Loew became the first woman to serve as acting Attorney-in-Chief of The Legal Aid Society. After joining Legal Aid in 1897, she went on to play a key role in the organization’s growth, including the expansion of its Women’s Branch, which supported women seeking divorces and domestic workers fighting for their wages. Fluent in German, Yiddish, and Hungarian, Loew also interpreted for her clients while representing them in court.

In 1896, she told the New York Journal: “It is an error to suppose that women cannot look at things in a large way. There is nothing in the mental bias of a woman to prevent her having a comprehensive knowledge of any of the affairs of life, no matter how great. Women can succeed in business because they are quite as intelligent as men and more tactful.”

(c) Courtesy of Columbia University in the City of New York
Unidentified photographer
Rosalie Loew, ca. 1895
Reproduction

08/14/2026

We joined Legal Services NYC in filing a motion on behalf of Tenants and Neighbors and the Met Council on Housing, asking the court to dismiss the landlords’ lawsuit.

The Rent Guidelines Board carefully considered data and input from tenants and landlords before approving the freeze. We’ll continue defending this critical protection for more than 2 million New Yorkers in rent-stabilized homes. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3UygbcI

08/13/2026

In 1920, The Legal Aid Society opened its first Criminal Defense Practice and appointed Margaret May Burnett to lead it. The press described Burnett as an unconventional woman with a zeal for defending low-income New Yorkers. The headline: “Pretty woman in charge of legal aid branch.” A reminder that even groundbreaking women were often reduced to their appearance. Burnett’s work, however, spoke for itself. 150 years later, that commitment continues. We defend the rights of the of low income New Yorkers and fight to ensure that justice is not determined by what someone can afford. Click here to explore more of Legal Aid's history: https://legalaidnyc.org/history/

(c) The Legal Aid Society Archive

08/11/2026

The Delivery Protection Act (Intro 518 – Caban) will hold last-mile delivery companies accountable for labor standards and safety.

The bill would:
- Require last-mile delivery warehouses to be licensed and comply with existing laws
- Hold the companies that control delivery workers accountable for their workers
- Provide independent training on workers’ rights and workplace safety

These are common-sense protections for workers and everyone on the streets where they deliver. We urge the City Council to pass the Delivery Protection Act.

08/10/2026

Yea or neigh?🐴

Legal Aid intern, Jonathan Suan, shares his take on court attire.

08/06/2026

Today, we celebrate National Paralegal Day and recognize the paralegals and litigation assistants who make our work possible. Their expertise keeps complex cases moving, strengthens advocacy, and helps ensure New Yorkers receive the legal support they need. Thank you to our incredible team for everything you do.

08/04/2026

NEW: We've secured major reforms for students with disabilities in NYC public schools.

A systemwide approach focused on identifying disability-related barriers and connecting students with appropriate supports and services.

An agreement with the City establishes the first-ever framework for identifying and supporting students whose disabilities interfere with school attendance.