At The Legal Aid Society our Civil, Criminal Defense, Juvenile Rights, and Pro Bono practices work tirelessly in and out of the courtroom to defend our clients and dismantle the hidden, systemic barriers that can prevent them from thriving in New York City. We seek to be a beacon of hope for those who feel neglected —regardless of who they are, where they come from, or how they identify. Our experienced teams provide comprehensive services, support, and advocacy that protect rights, keep families and communitiess together, and in many cases, saves lives. We have an intrinsic connection to the daily lives of New Yorkers. Here are a few of the places we made a difference, provided context or added valuable perspective this week.

LAS leaders join Mamdani transition team

Bloomberg Law: Mamdani Taps Winston Partner, Legal Aid Head for Transition Team
CBS: NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announces transition committees
amNY: Mamdani transition: Mayor-elect names over 400 advisors across 17 committees
SILive.com:Staten Island leaders appointed to Mamdani’s 400-person transition team
NYLJ: Mamdani Taps Big Law Partners and Public Defense Leaders for Transition Team
Law360: Mamdani Transition Team Includes Dozens Of Attorneys
Queens Daily Eagle: Mamdani expands transition, appoints 400 New Yorkers to 17 committees

LAS mourns the loss of client Edwin Ramos

The City: Hours Before Expected Release, Rikers Detainee Dies After Apparent Seizure
Gothamist: Man in Rikers custody dies after being taken to hospital, officials say
NYDN: Man held on Rikers Island dies; 13th jail-related death in 2025
News12 Bronx: Inmate dies after medical episode at Riker’s Island
Queens Daily Eagle: Rikers detainee becomes 13th person to die in DOC custody

More LAS in the news

The New Yorker: Disappeared to a Foreign Prison
Legal Reader: Lawsuit Claims Immigrants Amassing Millions in Overstay Fines
The Indypendent: New Work Requirements For SNAP Benefits
Noticia: LAS condena la propuesta de carga pública de Trump
NYDN: Readers sound off on Raise the Age, 9/11 toxins documents
Amsterdam News: New Legal Aid Society unit tackles client life after prison head one
City Limits: Opinion: Addressing ‘Chaotic’ Conditions at NYC’s Youth Detention Centers
Gothamist: Help with NY residents’ energy bills finally coming in after shutdown delays