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The Brooklyn A Office in Williamsburg.

Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A's purpose and goal is to provide high-quality legal assistance to low-income individuals and community groups in North and East Brooklyn. We view legal assistance in terms of community development, education, and mobilization, as well as traditional representation. To that end we partner with and provide legal services to effective local grassroots organizations that have a demonstrated commitment to our common goal of social and economic justice.

All services are offered free of charge. If you are looking for legal help from one of our units, please read their descriptions below and follow the link for more detailed information. If you would like to request legal help or are unsure whether we offer the help you need, please call the general number of the neighborhood office closest to you listed below.

Community and Economic Development

The Community and Development (CED) Unit provides legal assistance to not-for-profit community groups engaged in a wide range of organizing and advocacy efforts throughout North and East Brooklyn and beyond. The CED Unit serves both as house counsel and special project counsel to not-for-profit community based organizations engaged in housing, health care, day care, education and other community development endeavors. We encourage you to read about the types of services we offer and the issue areas in which we normally work before contacting us for assistance.

Comprehensive Rights for People Affected by HIV/AIDS

The Comprehensive Rights Unit (CRU) represents individuals at HIV/AIDS Service Administration fair hearings and, when necessary, in "Article 78" proceedings in Kings County Supreme Court to challenge unfair decisions by government agencies. It also represents clients at administrative hearings addressing Supplemental Security Income benefits, challenges discrimination in housing and employment based on HIV/AIDS status, negotiates with landlords to secure the provision of basic housing needs and to stop harassment (if negotiations fail, it will represent its clients housing court in actions against the landlord). The CRU helps protect clients against domestic violence, developing healthcare proxies and living wills, and creating guardianship and custody plans for clients' children. We encourage you to read about the types of services we offer and the issue areas in which we normally work before contacting us for assistance.

Disability Advocacy Project

The Disability Advocacy Project assists disabled people living in our service area obtain the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to which they are entitled, but are often denied, through negotiations with the Social Security Administration and representation at Social Security Administration administrative hearings. We encourage you to read about the types of services we offer and the issue areas in which we normally work before contacting us for assistance.

Domestic Violence/Victims Support Program

The Victims Support Program provides legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence in ways that promote empowerment, self-sufficiency, and economic independence. It provides a variety of civil legal services to survivors of domestic violence so that they can: obtain orders of protection, spousal and/or child support; child custody, housing, and public assistance grants and funds from community groups to help pay rent; avoid foster care, negotiate payment plans with landlords; and obtain emergency government benefits to which they are eligible. We encourage you to read about the types of services we offer and the issue areas in which we normally work before contacting us for assistance.

Anti-Predatory Lending/Foreclosure Defense

The Anti-Predatory Lending and Foreclosure Defense Unit defends homeowners facing foreclosure and files affirmative cases for homeowners and other consumers who have been the victim of predatory lending. Both types of cases can be extremely complex and the unit’s years of litigation and transactional experience combine to provide comprehensive legal counseling and representation for local homeowners and consumers. We encourage you to read about the types of services we offer and the issue areas in which we normally work before contacting us for assistance.

Preservation of Low-Income Housing

Through the Individual Housing and Group Housing Units, Brooklyn A defends the rights of tenants, works with groups building and operating tenant-run cooperatives, and helps ensure that senior citizens have access to safe, affordable housing. Brooklyn A represents individuals in housing court facing eviction and more than 100 local tenant-owned cooperatives, assisting the coops in sustaining themselves as affordable housing for low-income tenants. Brooklyn A's Group Housing Unit also partners with local community organizations and coalitions in struggles for justice and fair housing for low-income North Brooklyn residents. We encourage you to read about the types of services we offer and the issue areas in which we normally work before contacting us for assistance.