Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York is a non-profit law firm, which provides free legal services to low-income people in Northeastern New York. The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York provides effective, free civil legal services, education to, and advocacy for people with low incomes or other barriers to accessing the legal system. We secure basic needs, protect and preserve legal rights, provide equal access to justice and seek fairness and dignity for our clients. The Legal Aid Society has offices in Albany, Amsterdam, Canton, Plattsburgh, and Saratoga Springs.

LASNNY offers varied volunteer options, from limited one-time advice meetings to extended representation of a client. This flexibility allows volunteers to work with LASNNY in a manner that compliments their schedule.

Additionally, LASNNY offers a wide variety of practice areas to appeal to any volunteer’s interests.   Examples of current volunteer opportunities are:

• Advice Clinic: One-on-one appointments with income-eligible clients regarding civil law issues.
• Attorney for the Day: Attorneys offer limited representation to a client in their first appearance at Albany City Court.
• Bankruptcy: Represent clients in filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
• Closing The Gap: Links urban volunteers with rural clients via video consultations with document assembly.
• Consumer Debt: Various work including acting on the behalf of a client to lift or modify a wage garnishment, helping to free a frozen bank account, or representing a client in a debt collection matter.
• Full Representation: Landlord / Tenant matters, SSD/SSI Benefits, Unemployment,
• Matrimonial, Custody, or Child Support: possibly, representing the client in court or at administrative hearings.
• Albany County Family Court Help Center: provide legal information or legal advice to pro se litigants in the Family Court
• Pro Se Divorce Clinic: Assist clients in classroom setting to complete pleadings, allowing them to obtain a divorce.
• Wills, Health Care Proxies, Power of Attorney: preparing and executing documents.