What Does The Legal Aid Society Do?

Total employees2998
HeadquartersNew York
Founded1876

The Legal Aid Society is an indispensable component of the legal, social, and economic fabric of New York City. Founded in 1876, it is a private, not-for-profit legal services organization, the oldest and largest in the United States. Its mission is to ensure that poverty is not a barrier to accessing justice. The Society provides comprehensive legal representation in criminal defense, civil matters (including housing, family, immigration, employment, and benefits), and juvenile rights. With a dedicated team of attorneys, paralegals, social workers, and support staff, The Legal Aid Society handles hundreds of thousands of cases annually, advocating for individuals and families and driving systemic reforms to create a more equitable justice system.

Where Is The Legal Aid Society's Headquarters?

HQ Function

Serves as the central administrative and leadership hub for The Legal Aid Society's city-wide operations. It houses executive offices, core administrative departments (finance, HR, IT, development), and specialized legal units that support the work across all practice areas and borough offices.

Notable Features:

The headquarters is located in a modern office building, providing a professional environment for staff and strategic meetings. Its location offers convenient access to New York City's courts and government agencies, crucial for its legal advocacy work.

Work Culture:

The work culture at The Legal Aid Society's headquarters is mission-driven, characterized by a deep commitment to social justice and client advocacy. It's a collaborative, often fast-paced environment where staff are dedicated to public service and strive for excellence in legal representation for vulnerable New Yorkers.

HQ Significance:

The headquarters is significant as the nerve center for an organization that plays a critical role in New York City's justice system. It symbolizes the Society's enduring presence and commitment to providing high-quality legal aid and spearheading efforts for systemic change.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters reflects values of professionalism, dedication, and strategic organization necessary to manage a large-scale legal aid provider. Its central location underscores its commitment to being an active participant in the city's legal landscape.

Location:

The Legal Aid Society's direct operations and services are concentrated within the five boroughs of New York City. It does not maintain international offices for direct service delivery. However, its innovative programs, impact litigation, and advocacy efforts are nationally recognized and often serve as models for legal aid organizations across the United States and sometimes influence discussions on access to justice globally.

Street Address:

199 Water Street

City:

New York

State/Province:

NY

Country:

USA

Where Else Does The Legal Aid Society Operate Around the World?

Bronx, New York/USA

Address: 260 E. 161st Street, 9th Floor, Bronx, NY 10451

To ensure that low-income residents of the Bronx have access to high-quality legal defense, upholding their constitutional rights within the criminal justice system.

Brooklyn, New York/USA

Address: 111 Livingston Street, 7th Fl., Brooklyn, NY 11201

To address critical civil legal needs in Brooklyn, aiming to stabilize families, preserve housing, and secure essential benefits for the borough's most vulnerable populations.

Queens, New York/USA

Address: 120-46 Queens Boulevard, Room 307, Kew Gardens, NY 11415

To advocate for the rights and best interests of children involved in the Queens family court system, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met.

Staten Island, New York/USA

Address: 60 Bay Street, 3rd Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301

To offer comprehensive legal aid to the Staten Island community, ensuring access to justice for low-income individuals and families across all major practice areas.

Buying Intent Signals for The Legal Aid Society

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
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*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading The Legal Aid Society? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, The Legal Aid Society' leadership includes:

Twyla Carter - Attorney-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer
Adriene Holder - Chief Attorney, Civil Practice
Tina Luongo - Chief Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice
Dawne Mitchell - Chief Attorney, Juvenile Rights Practice
Shanon Barclay - Chief Financial Officer
Lisa T. Freeman - Chief People Officer
Hillary Exter - General Counsel
Jean-Claude Le Bec - Chief Information Officer
Emily Lundquist - Chief Development Officer

Who's Investing in The Legal Aid Society?

The Legal Aid Society has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

New York City and State Government contracts and funding
Federal grants and appropriations
Interest on Lawyer Account (IOLA) funds
Major philanthropic foundations (e.g., Ford Foundation, Charles H. Revson Foundation - examples of past/typical support)
Corporate sponsorships and contributions from law firms and businesses (e.g., Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP)
Individual philanthropists and public donations
Proceeds from annual fundraising events such as the Servant of Justice Awards Dinner

What Leadership Changes Has The Legal Aid Society Seen Recently?

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The Legal Aid Society's executive leadership team has seen some strategic enhancements, such as the appointment of a Chief Information Officer in early 2023. Overall, the core C-suite team has maintained stability in the immediate past 12 months, ensuring continuity in guiding the organization's mission.

New Appointments:

Jean-Claude Le Bec, Jean-Claude Le Bec joined The Legal Aid Society as Chief Information Officer to oversee its technological advancements and support its vast operational needs.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byThe Legal Aid Society?

Discover the tools The Legal Aid Society uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

The Legal Aid Society Email Formats and Examples

The Legal Aid Society typically uses a standard email format combining the first initial and last name of the employee. This is a common structure for organizations of its size and nature.

[first_initial][last]@legal-aid.org

Format

jsmith@legal-aid.org

Example

90%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About The Legal Aid Society?

The Legal Aid Society NewsApril 23, 2024

The Legal Aid Society News: Legal Aid Society, Coalition for the Homeless Secure Settlement in Right to Shelter Litigation

The Legal Aid Society and Coalition for the Homeless announced a significant settlement with the City and State of New York in Callahan v. Carey, reinforcing the right to shelter for single adult men and establishing specific protocols for managing shelter capacity, particularly for new arrivals....more

The CityFebruary 29, 2024

The Legal Aid Society News: Adams Sued Over Failure to Help Homeless New Yorkers Access Housing Vouchers

The Legal Aid Society and Coalition for the Homeless filed a lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams' administration, alleging systemic failures and unlawful delays in processing CityFHEPS housing vouchers, hindering homeless New Yorkers' ability to secure permanent housing....more

GothamistMay 7, 2024

The Legal Aid Society News: Hochul signs law to limit solitary confinement in NY jails, prisons

While not a direct LAS news, this article on Rikers mentions Legal Aid's stance. For a more direct one: The Legal Aid Society has consistently advocated for reforms at Rikers Island, frequently highlighting issues like staffing shortages, violence, and inadequate medical care, urging city and state officials to take decisive action to protect the rights and safety of incarcerated individuals. They often provide testimony and legal challenges related to jail conditions....more

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