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 lawsuit significantly cuts City’s benefits backlog

Gothamist: NYC says food stamps and cash aid backlog is nearly gone after record delays
NBC4: NYC backlog for food stamp, cash assistance applications nearly cleared
AMNY: NYC finally resolves public benefits backlog six months after court order
Associated Press: NYC nearly resolves delays in benefits to thousands of low income residents
NYDN: Mayor Adams says big gains made in NYC benefit delays, but not all claims addressed
City Limits: City Hall Announces Near-Elimination of Benefits Case Backlog, Challenges Persist
Patch: NYC Fixes Food Stamps, Cash Aid Backlogs That Left 50K Waiting: Mayor
Telemundo: NYC casi elimina retrasos históricos de solicitudes de SNAP
Spectrum News: City mostly clears backlog of applications for food and cash benefits

LAS sues over hundreds of violations, absentee ownership in Bronx building

Gothamist: Bronx landlord’s $25M unpaid tax bill renews call for stalled transfer program
ABC7: Tenants of Bronx building file lawsuit, speak out about hazardous living conditions
PIX11: Bronx landlord owes over $24M in taxes to NYC; tenants sue to change ownership
Telemundo: Inquilinos en El Bronx demandan “por años de grave negligencia”
The Bronx Times: LAS, tenants sue Bronx landlord with almost 500 health and safety violations
CBS2: Bronx residents file lawsuit against landlords over building conditions
NEWS12: Tenants announce lawsuit against landlords of building for health & safety issues
NYDN: Tenants sue Bronx landlords over ‘hazardous’ conditions

NYPD misconduct cost taxpayers nearly $115 million in 2023

NYDN: Not ready to settle: NYPD settlements are red flags worth noting
Brooklyn Daily Eagle: Police Misconduct Lawsuits Cost Taxpayers $114.5 Million in 2023
BK Reader: City Paid Over $500M in Police Misconduct Suits in 6 Years
NYT Today: N.Y.P.D. misconduct settlements

More LAS in the news

Gothamist: The NYPD is now legally mandated to respond to protests differently
Newsday: Long Islanders in need among victims of scam aimed at benefits
Spectrum News: New York public defenders, DAs push for more student loan repayment help
Patch: Rent Gobbles Up NYer’s Paychecks More Than Nearly All U.S. Cities
Law360: NYC Real Estate Cos. Must Face Voucher Bias Suit
Politico: Raise the Age Funding
NYDN: NYC budget director doubts city will make 2027 deadline to close Rikers
NYT: Rikers Island Not Likely to Close by 2027 Deadline, N.Y.C. Official Says
Chief Leader: City staffing levels rise, but access to services is still erratic
Gothamist: Families suffering from PTSD find temporary relief from NYC shelter 60-day notices
Gothamist: City Hall officials say NYC has trimmed migrant-related costs by $1.7B
Queens Daily Eagle: Orgs call on gov to boost Raise the Age funding
Queens Chronicle: Sanctuary laws are here to stay, says speaker
Queens Daily Eagle: Queens residents struggle as CityFHEPS lawsuit plays out
The Chief Leader: PBA appeals approval of protest settlement