Getting to Know the Legal Aid Society of Rockland County

History of the Legal Aid Society

The Legal Aid Society of Rockland County (LAS) was created in 1962 to provide free and low-cost legal services to low income individuals. It was the first such agency in Rockland County, New York and it grew quickly. Today, LAS has a staff of more than 40 attorneys and is funded through a combination of government sources, private donations and grants from nonprofit institutions. Its various legal aid clinics are housed at its main office in New City, New York and its dedicated housing office is located nearby in Spring Valley, New York. The mission of LAS is to "protect incapacitated , vulnerable persons who cannot afford private counsel including children, disabled persons and senior citizens, to prevent their victimization." The agency tries to "eliminate obstacles in dealing with governmental agencies, [and] to help clients achieve economic security, access to necessary medical care, access to and protection of public assistance benefits." Specifically, the agency provides free legal advice and consultation, brief representation services, and full representation to income eligible members of the community.

Services of the Legal Aid Society

The Legal Aid Society of Rockland County provides legal services in different fields of law to meet the various needs of low-income residents. These fields of law include criminal law, family law, civil disputes, and social security disability law. Their criminal law services include representation of clients in civil commitments as a sexually violent predator, appeals for felonies and misdemeanors, post-conviction writs, and juvenile delinquency matters. For individuals who have been convicted of a felony in a military court, they also provide services in the United States Court of Military Appeals. Family law matters include divorce, child custody and visitation, spousal support (alimony), division of assets, child support and guardianship. They also assist parents in getting legal guardianship status over their disabled children who are 18 years of age or older. Social security disability law includes representation at social security hearings as well as obtaining supplemental security income (SSI) for certain individuals. Civil disputes covered include mortgage foreclosure defense, bankruptcy, eviction and public benefits challenges. In order to qualify for legal assistance, individuals must demonstrate financial need.

Qualifying for the Legal Aid Society

The Legal Aid Society of Rockland County, a non-profit legal services organization, carefully considers applications for assistance based on client eligibility criteria. Typically, individuals must meet certain income requirements and other qualifications to access the free services provided by the Society. The income guidelines established by the Legal Aid Society of Rockland County are generally determined based on federal poverty level (FPL) standards. Typically, individuals whose annual earnings exceed 125% of the FPL might not qualify for legal representation. However, exceptions are made under certain circumstances, particularly for non-criminal cases, which may accommodate higher income levels, such as for individuals experiencing domestic abuse or other family law matters. Moreover, additional guidelines may apply to estate-related issues, especially in probating a will, where the value of an estate plays a narrowing factor in determining eligibility. Beyond income, individuals are often encouraged to exhaust all other sources of assistance within the region before contacting the Legal Aid Society of Rockland County. Sometimes, a referral to another agency may be required prior to their applying for services with the Society. Regional conflicts or budget adjustments can result in variable case handling in particular areas. For example, while the Rockland Society works in conjunction with the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, those requiring family-related legal counsel may be referred to VOLS, a specialized organization.

Applying for Legal Aid

Applications for legal aid are accepted at the offices of the Legal Aid Society of Rockland County, which are located at 30 Main Street, 3rd Floor, New City, New York 10956. The application process begins with a thorough review of the applicant’s financial, physical and/or mental situation, and what the actual legal need is, to identify whether the applicant qualifies for assistance. In providing legal aid to those seeking it, the society can only advise and represent people whose income is below certain guidelines and who have a legal problem. Once the application is reviewed and it is determined that you qualify for assistance, you will be assigned an attorney to handle your case. You will receive a notice in the mail regarding this assignment. If you do not qualify, a legal services advocate will assist you in finding an agency that may be able to help you. There is a possibility that you may be accepted as a client but not receive representation. This could occur if the case relies upon a difficult or complicated legal issue.

Success and Triumph Stories

The Legal Aid Society of Rockland County has seen many success stories over the years that reflect their commitment to their cause. For instance, recently they helped a young couple secure custody of their three-year-old niece after her parents had abandoned her at a train station, and were left in a perilous state. The couple had originally hoped to find a way to get the girl back to her parents, but the parents were found unfit to raise the child, and so the couple sought the help of the Legal Aid Society, which agreed to take the case on , with the goal of ensuring a safe and loving future for the child. They have also done extensive work helping women escape domestic violence, like the one who convinced her judge to allow her abuser to have no visitation rights with their child. That not only provided her with relief and safety, but it made it possible for her to seek employment, which she found at a restaurant. These cases and others just like them are a testament to the importance of the work that the Legal Aid Society of Rockland County does.

Legal Aid Faces Challenges

Like many public interest organizations, the Legal Aid Society of Rockland County is not immune to the financial, social, and political pressures which accompany the provision of legal services to the poor. Chief among these is the perennial lack of adequate funding. While the Society has historically relied on a combination of federal, state, county and private funding, aggregate resources have not increased at the same rate as clients’ needs or attorney expenses. With infrequent rate increases, low income housing programs, such as HOPWA, have had their allocations bite into budgets; the Homeless Trust Fund has diminished as the scope of the program expanded and the Justice Court continues to experience unsustainable caseload growth without concomitant budget increases. Private giving has been another mainstay of the Society’s revenue. Unrestricted contributions are down as a result of the effects of tax policy changes; in particular, the 2017 federal tax overhaul significantly reduced the benefit of charitable giving deduction. The emerging opioid crisis is one of the major issues facing the Society which, while underfunded and while its budget is increasingly strained, is taking on additional work related to the public health threat. As of Spring 2018, a "Doctor’s In House" initiative has been launched, allowing free access to a medical doctor to assess and treat a number of ailments suffered by the Society’s incarcerated clients at the Rockland County Jail.

Support and Volunteer Opportunities

The Legal Aid Society of Rockland County relies on the generosity of those who give their time to assist our clients and in some cases donate the legal services they provide. Volunteer opportunities include participation in the Howard E. McGinnis Fellowships, Pro Bono or Mentor programs, the Pro Bono Alumni Advisory Committee, Office Committees, Servers Committee, familly court representation, divorce representation, housing part representation, web site development, community education programs, and internship programs for aspiring lawyers, law students and undergraduates.
We are currently looking for attorneys to fill the following roles: Family Court Representation LaOrmore: Legal Aid seeks volunteer family law attorneys to provide case representation in all Family Court matters where we have received conflict appointments or interim custody and child support matters, and cases designated for trial. LaOrmore cases are generally passed to the Society by the New York Bar Association’s Legal Referral Program.
Divorce Representation Beginning in 2006, LALRC began accepting private referrals in contested matrimonial matters. Maternity Martial cases typically include cross petitions for divorce or annulments, with additional requests for temporary relief such as maintenance, child support, custody, and visitation. Divorce representation is generally complex and time-consuming. Our former experience in special proceedings provides us with an understanding of the families in these situations , and the willingness to negotiate settlement where merited.
Housing Part Representation Attorneys with existing housing practices who are current with New York City Rent Stabilization Code and Section 8 Housing voucher acceptance are encouraged to consider volunteer representation of LALRC clients in legalization cases in the Housing Part of Nyack Town Court.
Guadalupana Club Fundraising The Society seeks currently registered members of the Guadalupana Club, (Hispanic/Spanish Ladies Society Club) for fundraising initiatives, including involvement in splendid annual cultural event, "To Praise Maria" Fiestas, held in early December.
Pro Bono Alumni Advisory Committee The Society’s Pro Bono Alumni Advisory Committee (PAAC) includes attorney members and friends, past pro bono fellows, and other interested parties, organized to the support the Society’s 2014 fundraiser, PAAC Gala, recognizing the 10th Anniversary of Legal Aid in Rockland. Volunteer opportunities include marketing or event planning.
Mentor Programs The Society’s Pro Bono and PMAP Mentor Program volunteers are assembled to provide guidance, insight and knowledge to help Society pro bono and PMAP interns be successful in their externship placements. Pro Bono mentors share their professional experiences with students and help prepare them for a future career in law.
Servers Committee To supplement our pro bono staff at the various Rockland County Courts, we seek volunteer attorneys willing to perform ‘on call’ representation in housing part and daytime criminal arraignment calendars. Training is provided.
PALS and Non Legal College Outreach Interns at the Society are asked to lead or participate in school-based or community presentations to elementary school children and high-school students concerning the importance of graduating high-school, attending college, and pursuing a career in law.