free legal help Archives | City Bar Justice Center

Undocumented and Underserved: Supporting Immigrants in NYC Amid the Pandemic

by Cecilia Lopez Santiesteban, Esq. - Fragomen FellowAugust 12, 2020

Earlier this year, before the pandemic, the City Bar Justice Center’s (CBJC) Immigrant Justice Project hosted a legal assistance clinic where participants were screened for immigration relief options. During the legal clinic, *Laura, a woman from El Salvador, was terrified to speak to volunteer attorneys about her immigration case – she feared disclosing personal information would place her at risk for deportation.

In Solidarity: The City Bar Justice Center Supports Black Communities through Pro Bono Work

by Lynn Kelly, Executive DirectorJune 8, 2020

The City Bar Justice Center (CBJC) joins in mourning the recent killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and other victims of violence resulting from longstanding systemic injustices and the toxic river of white supremacy poisoning our country. These tragic incidents highlight the disproportionate social, economic and civic inequalities to which Black people and people of color are subjected.

Dealing With the Financial Impact of the Coronavirus in New York City

by CBJC StaffMarch 18, 2020

With the spread of the coronavirus or COVID-19, communities are being financially impacted as many suffer loss of income as a result of becoming ill or due to the temporary closure of businesses. In these uncertain times, it is important to be proactive when faced with financial distress. Below is a guide including essential tips and resources New Yorkers will find helpful from the City Bar Justice Center.

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.

The Federal Pro Se Project and Paul Weiss Collaborate on Discovery Workshop to Assist Pro Se Litigants

by Cheryl LopezFebruary 7, 2020

The City Bar Justice Center’s Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Project (FEDPRO) recently hosted its second Discovery Workshop in collaboration with pro bono partner Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, & Garrison LLP (Paul Weiss).

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.

Sterling National Bank Supports the City Bar Justice Center in Advancing Veteran Rights

by Cheryl LopezJanuary 10, 2020

The City Bar Justice Center (CBJC) would like to thank Sterling National Bank for their generous contribution in support of financial literacy for veterans served by the City Bar Justice Center and our Veterans Assistance Project (VAP).

EAT SOCCER: Soccer Education & Inspiration for All

by Juan JimenezNovember 13, 2019

As many of NELP’s success stories come to show, the spirit of micro-entrepreneurship is largely driven by the ability to build relationships between both like-minded and diverse people. For Qiana Martin, founder and owner of EAT SOCCER, fostering a community of passionate individuals has always been the name of the game. Her soccer lifestyle company … Continue reading EAT SOCCER: Soccer Education & Inspiration for All →

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 →