Attorney Emeritus Program
The New York State Attorney Emeritus Program (AEP) facilitates pro bono services by senior attorneys by connecting them with AEP-approved legal services organizations or court-sponsored programs in need of pro bono lawyers. During the two-year registration period, Emeritus Attorney volunteers commit to serving 60 hours of unpaid civil legal assistance under the auspices of a qualified legal service provider, bar association, or court-sponsored volunteer lawyer program. Attorneys can get involved with the AEP by applying through the online portal and completing an online application.
Consumer Debt Volunteer Lawyer for the Day (VLFD)
Volunteer attorneys provide limited representation for unrepresented consumer debtors in NYC Civil Court in Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond Counties. Volunteer attorneys represent litigants during settlement negotiations and in vacating default judgments. This program is conducted in partnership with New York County Lawyers' Association, New York Legal Assistance Group, and Access Justice Brooklyn.
Contact: [email protected]
Court Navigator Program
Court Navigators are specially trained, supervised, and available to help unrepresented court users find their way around the courthouse, gather, and organize their documents, inform unrepresented court users about DIY Form Programs, and assist in obtaining available court services. Court Navigators are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. Court Navigators are currently available in NYC Family Court, New York County, NYC Civil Court, Kings County (Brooklyn) and the Supreme and County Court of Westchester County in White Plains, NY.
Contact: [email protected]
Family Court Volunteer Attorney Program (Virtual)
Volunteer attorneys provide free online and phone legal consultations on support, paternity, custody, visitation, family offense, and guardianship matters to unrepresented litigants in NYC Family Court.
New York City Family Court Volunteer Attorney Program
Contact: [email protected]
Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Landlord/Tenant (Housing) Program
The GAL Program recruits, trains, and provides Judges presiding over landlord/tenant matters with a pool of volunteer GALs to advocate on behalf of litigants unable to advocate for themselves due to a mental impairment and are facing eviction in landlord-tenant cases. Attorneys and non-attorneys are eligible to participate.
Contact: [email protected]
Supreme Court Matrimonial Center (Albany County)
The Albany County Supreme Court Matrimonial Center assists low-income and modest means self-represented litigants with limited scope consultations regarding contested matrimonial actions. Virtual or in person consultations are scheduled with attorney volunteers. The volunteer attorneys do not draft documents or represent litigants in their matrimonial cases.
Contact: [email protected]
Uncontested Divorce Program
In collaboration with the City Bar Justice Center, volunteer attorneys assist unrepresented litigants with their uncontested divorces in Kings County Supreme Court. The Program provides legal advice and document preparation for unrepresented litigants in uncontested divorce matters. The City Bar Justice Center and OJI recruit and train volunteer attorneys and law students to assist unrepresented litigants in this program.
Contact: [email protected]
Foreclosure Volunteer Lawyer for the Day Program (Westchester County)
The Foreclosure Volunteer Lawyer for the Day Program is operated in conjunction with the Westchester County Supreme Court Help Center in partnership with the Ninth Judicial District Pro Bono Committee. Volunteer attorneys provide limited scope assistance to litigants in Foreclosure proceedings. The volunteer attorneys do not represent litigants in their foreclosure cases.
Contact: Westchester County Supreme Court Help Center 914-824-5457