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 communities 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:

Crisis on Rikers: LAS sues for transparency, petitions federal court, Governor signs Less Is More

NY1: Lawyers ask federal judge to provide emergency relief to ongoing crisis at Rikers
City Limits: Stable Housing Could Be the Difference Between Rikers and Release
Gothamist: Another Death At Rikers, Tenth In City Jails This Year
Brian Lehrer Show: Rikers in Crisis
CBS: De Blasio: Isaabdul Karim, Parolee Who Died Sunday At Rikers, Not Among 191 Set For Release
AP: Another inmate dies at NYC’s troubled Rikers Island jail
NYT: N.Y.C. Sues Jail Officers, Saying Illegal Strike Worsened Rikers Crisis
Newsweek: Inmate in for Parole Violation Becomes 11th to Die at Rikers Island This Year
Queens Daily Eagle: Rikers Island deaths reach 11
NY Post: Rikers Island inmate dies, marking 11th death this year
NYT: He Nearly Qualified for Release From Rikers. Instead, He Died There.
QNS: Another detainee dies on Rikers Island after electeds warned of deplorable conditions
Patch: Legal Aid Sues For Rikers’ Records Of ‘Brutal’ Housing Units
City Limits: Transparency Needed Over Rikers Island Heat Conditions, Legal Aid Lawsuit Alleges
CBS2: Nearly 200 People To Be Released From Rikers Friday After Gov. Signs ‘Less Is More Act’
NYT: Hochul Orders Release of 191 Detainees as Rikers Crisis Deepens
Complex: Rikers Island Conditions Receive Renewed Criticism as Governor Signs Less Is More Act
Queens Daily Eagle: Legal Aid files suits against DOC
NYLJ: Reform Advocates Praise Hochul for Signing ‘Less Is More’ Act
NY1: Legal Aid Society sues city for records on conditions inside Rikers Island
Spectrum News: Legal Aid attorney lauds signing of ‘Less is More’ jail reform law

More LAS in the news
The City: Jackson Heights Tenants Sue to Get Their Burned Out Building Back — and Get Back In
Chalkbeat: Vaccinate teens without parental consent, NYC’s child welfare agency says
The City: Vaccinate Teens Without Parental Consent, City Child Welfare Agency Says
The Real Deal: Housing court is back — with boundaries
The City: Homeless Youth Would Get an Easier Path to Housing Help, Under City Council Bill