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LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
The Legal Aid Society of New York City [Joann Chang] It is a common belief that all attorneys who make it through law school quickly abandon their dream of using their law degree to improve society for a new dream of owning a really nice car. The large roster of public interest lawyers at Legal Aid proves otherwise.
Since its origin in 1876, The Legal Aid Society
munity projects. Among its recent undertak-
of New York City has been dedicated to pro-
ings is the World Trade Center project, which
ciety with aspirations of changing the world,
viding public interest legal services, general-
provides legal assistance to thousands of
most come to realize that the real emotional
While many attorneys join The Legal Aid So-
ly to New York’s underclasses. What initially
New Yorkers facing uncertain housing, em-
rewards lie in helping one individual or fam-
began as one attorney hired by the German
ployment or living situations due to the 9/11
ily at a time. Although The Legal Aid Society
Society of New York to protect German immi-
disaster. Another project taken on by Legal
only offers small salaries and budget restric-
grants from exploitation has now grown into
Aid in its commitment to the community is
tions limit the number of available jobs, staff
the nation’s oldest and largest public interest
the Campaign for Harlem. At the core of this
attorneys report great personal fulfillment as
law firm. New York attorneys looking for a job
project is the construction of a 29,000 square
well as invaluable job experience.
that will help ensure public access to legal
foot building that will alleviate the current
assistance will not find a better opportunity
cramped conditions of the Harlem office. In
than with the 800-lawyer Legal Aid Soci-
addition to the new building, the Campaign
ety. With offices in all five boroughs and an
for Harlem project hopes to raise a $22
annual caseload topping 300,000, Legal Aid
million fund to provide continuing financial
will undoubtedly provide copious amounts of
support for the office and the surrounding
experience in public interest law.
neighborhood.
Legal Aid’s practice areas consist of its civil,
Devoid of the usual corporate perks such as
criminal defense and juvenile divisions, with
expensive luncheons and cocktail parties, the
the criminal defense practice accounting for
Legal Aid Society provides its attorneys basic
two-thirds of its caseload. Historically, the
monetary compensation and uses the rest
Society’s civil division has been the primary
of its funds to further its causes. Attorneys
basis of the organization, providing a range
seem happy to work with non-corporate
of services including assistance in employ-
salaries and derive their satisfaction from
ment law, health law, housing law, and im-
the altruistic nature of their work. But the
migration law. The attorneys in the criminal
low salaries do not necessarily eliminate job
defense division serve as New York City’s
competition. Budget restrictions for many
primary public defenders. The criminal divi-
public interest firms, including Legal Aid,
sion has recently experienced tremendous
mean the number of jobs is strictly limited.
growth with the addition of 80 new attorneys
And in addition to academic excellence, Legal
this past fall, bringing the division total to
Aid looks for a proven commitment to work-
500 attorneys. Finally, the juvenile division
ing with the poor in its candidates. For those
handles over 90% of all New York City Family
future attorneys with interest in public inter-
Court cases and is currently working with the
est law, the Society also offers exceptional
Family Court to prioritize a child’s need for
fellowship and internship opportunities. In
stability in the court system.
fact, second year law student interns are as-
Aside from providing legal assistance to the
six-week training program.
signed court cases under supervision after a poor, Legal Aid also takes on special com-
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