Lilia I. Toson, Supervising Attorney in the Civil Law Reform Unit at The Legal Aid Society, has been honored as one of the New York Law Journal’s 2021 Rising Stars.

Lilia represents the interests of low-income people in impact litigation and governmental advocacy. She was lead counsel in a lawsuit challenging New York State’s administration of crucial rental assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also prepared testimony about the disparate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of color for both the New York State and City legislatures.

Additionally, she serves as lead counsel for The Legal Aid Society in its case challenging the former administration’s policy of conducting warrantless arrests at or near New York courts.

Lilia is deeply involved in mentoring junior lawyers and staff. In part because of this leadership, she was recognized as a 2021 Women inPower Fellow by the 92nd Street Y Belfer Center for Innovation and Social Impact.

The award recognizes the area’s most promising lawyers under 40. Lilia will be recognized in the forthcoming Professional Excellence issue of the Journal and honored at the New York Legal Awards on October 13.