LEGAL SERVICES
LeGaL believes that the true test of any community is the extent to which it takes care of its members in times of collective struggle for justice, as well as in the seemingly ordinary struggles of our daily lives. To that end, LeGaL seeks the creation and expansion of legal services initiatives which provide meaningful consultations, referrals, and representation where possible, to members of our community.
WALK-IN LEGAL CLINICS
LeGaL endeavors to provide meaningful legal services through various fee drop-in legal clinics, which offer holistic consultations and referrals to members of the LGBTQ community. Attorney volunteers help with any number of legal issues, including housing, immigration, family law matters, criminal issues, employment, discrimination, and more.
In 2017, LeGaL proudly operated five 100% free walk-in legal clinics: our weekly Tuesday Night Clinic at the LGBT Center in Manhattan, our weekly Saturday night "Youth Clinic" for LGBTQ youth, monthly clinics in conjunction with SAGE in both the Bronx and Harlem, and our newest clinic in Newark, N.J. Hundreds of clinic visitors received knowledgeable information and advice, as well as, wherever possible, immediate referrals through LeGaL's Legal Referral Network.
LEGAL HELPLINE
LeGaL's Helpline, which fields legal inquiries and provides information about our walk-in clinics, experienced a surge in calls from LGBTQ community in 2017, with nearly 2,000 requests for legal assistance.
LAWYER REFERRAL NETWORK
The LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York (LeGaL) built this platform to connect the LGBT community and allies with the attorneys in our Lawyer Referral Network. Our network includes lawyers from all practice areas-family law, immigration law, criminal law, employment law, and so much more. These experienced attorneys will guide you from consultation to engagement and beyond.
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
The Leadership Council brings together firms and companies to assist LeGaL in its mission of safeguarding and advancing the rights of the LGBT community. It provides vital pro bono services, including hosting, sponsorship, and/or legal advocacy to provide life-changing services to member of our community members unlikely to be able to afford an attorney.
IMPACT LITIGATION
LeGaL is uniquely positioned as a point of entry into the legal system for community members because of our many clinics, helpline, and online inquiries. This gives LeGaL the chance to be at the forefront of cutting edge issues that impact our community like recognition and respect for LGBTQ families. We endeavor to identify litigants with compelling cases that may have a wider impact for our community, and represent them in co-counseling arrangements with law firms or legal services organizations.
AMICUS ADVOCACY
LeGaL proudly fights to protect and advance the LGBTQ community’s rights by authoring or joining amicus-briefs in critically important issues. Below are a sample of amicus briefs LeGaL has authored or joined.
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
LeGaL proudly fights to protect and advance the LGBTQ community’s rights by authoring or joining amicus-briefs in critically important issues. Below are a sample of amicus briefs LeGaL has authored or joined.