The Legal Aid Society today announced Julia McNally as the new Attorney-in-Charge of the Queens Neighborhood Office, as reported by the Queens Daily Eagle. McNally will lead and empower a dynamic team of more than 60 staff to provide comprehensive civil legal services to Queens residents.

McNally previously served as Director of Housing in Queens, where she led a team of 33 staff members in Queens and acted as a leader within Legal Aid’s citywide tenant defense practice. McNally oversaw a period of significant growth with the rollout of Right to Counsel in Housing Court. She first joined Legal Aid in 2010 as a Staff Attorney in the Bronx Neighborhood Office after returning to New York from 27 months as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the Attorney-in-Charge of the Queens Neighborhood Office,” said McNally. “During the challenges of the past two years, it has been humbling to witness the perseverance, creativity, and resourcefulness of the staff at the Queens Neighborhood Office. I look forward to deepening my relationship with every team member in Queens in our joint efforts to empower clients, to reform law and policy, and to challenge systems of oppression.”

“We are proud to welcome Julia to this new role, leading our amazing team of civil defenders in Queens,” said Adriene Holder, Chief Attorney of the Civil Practice at The Legal Aid Society. “The Queens Neighborhood Office will have a fierce new champion to address the critical needs of the communities we serve.”

McNally has distinguished herself as an excellent litigator and mentor, successfully representing tenants in a variety of litigation. Early on in her career at Legal Aid, she drafted motions to dismiss four cases brought by a scatter-site landlord to displace 238 clients; secured 60% abatement following NYCHA trials; brought litigation to make clients co-op shareholders; secured affordable lifetime rent for clients; and negotiated a settlement of nonpayment in which a landlord paid out $15,807.92.

McNally maintains strong relationships with stakeholders, community-based organizations, legal services providers, and elected officials. Her willingness to connect community, organizers, and other legal services organizations to one another has led to the successful alignment of policy goals and key interventions to the benefit of clients.

Outside of Legal Aid, McNally is an Adjunct Professor at New York University Law School. She is a founding director of Pathways Togo, a non-profit which provides young women with scholarships and leadership opportunities. Prior to joining Legal Aid, McNally was an Honors Associate/Agency Attorney for the New York City Housing Authority Law Department. McNally is a proud resident of Queens.