VOLUNTEERS OF LEGAL SERVICE INC

Since 1984, VOLS has helped New Yorkers with limited resources access justice by providing free civil legal services. Our six legal projects support older adults, veterans, small business owners, individuals seeking public benefits, immigrant young people, incarcerated mothers, children and their families through legal advice, representation, and education. We reach underserved communities in New York City inclusive of age, race, gender and LGBTQIA+ identity, ability, veteran and immigration status. 

VOLS’ programs rely on trusted partnerships with 150 community-based organizations and pro bono volunteers from New York City’s largest law firms and companies. Through direct services, community partnerships, and our robust pro bono program, VOLS has harnessed the power of New York City’s bar to provide free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers during crises such as the 1980s HIV/AIDS epidemic, 2008 financial crisis, Hurricane Sandy, and COVID-19 pandemic. We currently provide legal advice, representation, and education services through six projects: 

VOLS Benefits Law Project assists New Yorkers with access to public benefits that help meet basic needs. The project provides support for Unemployment Insurance, Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption/ Disability Rent Increase Exemption, and Social Security Disability Insurance/Supplemental Security Income benefits. We assess clients for eligibility, help them apply for benefits, renew and recertify existing benefits, and appeal denials.

VOLS Immigration Project supports immigrant youth and families with immigration legal services that empower them to access security, education and employment opportunity. We provide support for immigration law issues including, asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Deferred Action Childhood Arrival renewals, Temporary Protected Status, U-Visas, Employment Authorization, Advanced Parole, and removal defense.

VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project works with mothers and parents in and recently released from New York State women’s prisons and jail who seek advice and information on their family law rights. The project provides legal advice, representation, and education on parental rights, custody, visitation, abuse and neglect, foster care, reunification, termination of parental rights, adoption, and other family law issues.

VOLS Microenterprise Project provides small business owners from underserved communities with legal support on transactional matters and provides up-to-date information on emergent business issues. We advise on matters including entity selection and formation, creating and maintaining governance documents, drafting and evaluating contracts, compliance with employment law, protecting intellectual property, and cybersecurity.

VOLS Senior Law Project empowers older adults to execute key documents that ensure their wishes are clear in the event of their incapacity or death, identify their chosen decision-makers for medical and financial affairs, identify what those decisions look like, and plan posthumous care. This work helps older New Yorkers age in place in their communities and avoid poverty, homelessness, and the loss of essential public benefits.

VOLS Children’s Project supports families as they resolve legal challenges that may impact a child’s health and ability to succeed in school. VOLS matches and supports pro bono partner firms and companies with a specific hospital or school to provide children and families with legal advice and representation in hospital and school-based settings.