Legal Hotline
Right to a Lawyer in New York City Housing Court
by Christin Damiano, Esq.September 15, 2022
Established in 2017, under the right-to-counsel law, New York City tenants with low or limited income who are being sued by their landlords in Housing Court have the right to a lawyer at no cost.
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Huracán Ida, ¿Y Ahora Qué? Respuestas a 5 Preguntas Frecuentes Para Inquilinos de Nueva York
by Libby Vazquez, Esq.October 26, 2021
El mes pasado, muchos apartamentos en Nueva York resultaron dañados por el huracán Ida. A continuación se encuentran las respuestas a 5 preguntas frecuentes sobre cómo los inquilinos pueden reparar sus apartamentos.
Read moreHurricane Ida, Now What? Answers to 5 Frequently Asked Questions for New York Renters
by Christin Damiano, Esq.September 22, 2021
Many New York apartments were damaged due to Hurricane Ida last month. Now that waterlogged belongings have been disposed of and the subways are rideable again, below are answers to 5 frequently asked questions on how tenants can get their apartments repaired.
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8 Tips for Pro Se Litigants Appearing In Court Virtually
by Amelia Toledo, Esq.March 18, 2021
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most court appearances in New York are virtual proceedings that you may join via your computer or phone. Each court has different practices that are evolving rapidly and you should call the court directly if you have specific questions. The following are general tips to help you prepare and represent yourself in a virtual court proceeding.
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Tracking COVID-19 in NYC through Calls to the Legal Hotline
by Libby Vazquez, Esq.August 19, 2020
In March 2020 (yes, that was five months ago!), COVID-19 swept through our city. The pandemic devasted and disproportionately impacted low-income communities served by the City Bar Justice Center (CBJC). CBJC’s Legal Hotline which normally assists over 1,000 callers a month, fell eerily quiet. The residents of our city were ordered to stay home; many … Continue reading Tracking COVID-19 in NYC through Calls to the Legal Hotline
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At the Intersection of Public Service, Law & Technology: A Conversation with Christopher Schwartz, Esq.
by Cheryl LopezFebruary 19, 2020
As technology evolves, it creates new opportunities for public interest organizations to better serve their communities. That is why, Christopher Schwartz, Esq., the Deputy Director of the City Bar Justice Center’s Legal Hotline, has worked diligently to leverage technology to improve pro bono legal services for underserved New Yorkers.
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6 Things to Know About the New NYC Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act
by Christopher Schwartz, Esq.February 11, 2020
In June of 2019, a sweeping set of changes were signed into the laws affecting virtually every tenant of a rental unit in New York City. Known collectively as the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (“HSTPA”), these changes were made with the purpose of moving renters closer to sustainable, affordable housing.
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NYC Small Claims Court Raises Monetary Cap
by Christin Damiano, Esq.January 23, 2020
There is good news for pro se litigants in New York City Small Claims Court. As of December 16, 2019, the cap for recovery in that court is raised to $10,000. Previously, Small Claims Court had a maximum limit of $5,000. Small claims court is a less formal venue where litigants typically represent themselves.
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Free Legal Hotline Helps Thousands of NYC Residents
by Libby Vazquez, Esq.October 1, 2019
Libby Vazquez is the Director of the Justice Center’s Legal Hotline. The City Bar Justice Center’s free Legal Hotline provides effective, efficient free legal advice over the phone to the thousands of New Yorkers with civil legal problems who cannot afford an attorney. Many of the callers are referred by the courts, while some hear about the … Continue reading Free Legal Hotline Helps Thousands of NYC Residents
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