FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Date 9/18/25
Urgent Call for Increased Funding Amidst Expanding Federal Threats
On September, 18th, 2025, members of the New York Legal Services Coalition (NYLSC), a network of 46 nonprofit civil legal services providers across the state called for an increase of $25 million in Judiciary Civil Legal Services (JCLS) funding and maximum flexibility to address pay parity, infrastructure and the anticipated loss of federal dollars. The public hearing was held by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and the State of New York, Hon. Rowan D. Wilson, joined by the New York State Court of Appeals and New York State Bar Association President, Kathleen Sweet, to evaluate the continuing unmet civil legal services needs in New York and to assess the additional resources needed to meet those needs.
As stated in the notice, the purpose of the hearing is to receive input from legal experts, advocates and clients on the “impact of federal funding cuts and programmatic restrictions on civil legal services and the access to justice gap in New York. [and] The effect of Judiciary Civil Legal Services (JCLS) funding on the delivery of civil legal services, the fair and efficient administration of justice in the State courts, and the need for additional funding.”
In their call to action, NYLSC members addressed four key concerns, Judiciary Civil Legal Services funding, pay parity and workforce retention, and the Federal threats: H.R.1 and proposed changes to Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Read the coalition’s latest pay parity white paper here, https://nylscoalition.org/payparity.
Jessica A. Rose, Esq., Executive Director, Build Up Justice NYC and Co-Chair of the Legislative Advocacy Steering Committee of the NYLSC:
“Despite these challenges, civil legal services providers remain committed to ensuring equal justice for all New Yorkers. With stable and sufficient funding, we can recruit and retain dedicated staff, invest in infrastructure, and provide the holistic services our clients require. But to do so effectively, funding must be flexible, equitable, and sustainable.”
Kristin Brown, President and CEO of Empire Justice Center and president of the NYLSC,
“Federal cuts and programmatic changes are impacting our client communities, our organizations, and our staff directly. In this environment of chaos and threat, there is an urgent and increasing need for attorneys and for legal information to help New Yorkers and policy makers navigate what is happening. We are grateful for OCA’s leadership in its efforts to close the justice gap in New York, and we ask that OCA continues to build its investment in civil legal services this year. To weather the current and coming threats, the New York civil legal services need resources to attract and retain experienced staff; support to foster strong and nimble organizations; and resilient structures to serve our clients, our work, and each other.”
Shervon Small, Executive Director of Legal Services NYC, shared:
"Low-income people have never had to rely on legal services providers to meet their basic needs more than they will in the coming years, as a cascade of federal budget cuts threatens people's ability to sustain themselves. As legal services providers, we are committed to serving our clients no matter what comes, but we are also facing existential threats to our funding and our programs. In order to meet the moment, we need increased funding for civil legal services and enough flexibility to allow us to effectively respond to an ever-changing landscape of threats to our clients. We welcome the JCLS's continued commitment to working with us to ensure the doors of justice remain open to all."
Lisa Rivera, president and CEO of New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) said:
"Low-income New Yorkers and vulnerable communities continue to face barriers in accessing civil legal services which are often needed to help navigate issues such as housing, benefits, access to healthcare, family stability, employment and immigration. Investing in legal services can prevent otherwise catastrophic problems for families, address systemic issues, and create stability in communities. While investing in civil legal services has always been critical, with rapidly changing federal policies and uncertainties around federal funding, this investment becomes even more essential."
Adriene Holder, Chief Attorney of the Civil Practice at The Legal Aid Society, shared:
“From securing safe housing and critical benefits to protecting workers’ rights, immigrants, and families, civil legal services deliver life-changing results for our clients and communities, but with harmful federal policies threatening to roll back these gains, continued investment is essential to ensure low-income New Yorkers can maintain the housing, income, safety, and stability they need.”
Carla M. Palumbo, President & CEO, The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY, said:
“Flexible funding is essential for civil legal services providers to address persistent workforce and infrastructure challenges, adapt to evolving community needs, and respond to federal policy changes that threaten our clients and the work that we do. Sustained increases in Judiciary Civil Legal Services funding will continue to strengthen our ability to recruit and retain skilled staff and deliver holistic, responsive legal services – advancing equitable access to justice for our low-income community members.”
Sal Curran, Executive Director of Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, and Co-Chair of the Legislative Advocacy Steering Committee of the NYLSC:
“Immigrant youth face unprecedented threats, as the federal government has cut funding for services, attacked law firms providing pro bono immigration services, rescinded protections, and challenged New York’s safeguards. Families lose food, medical, and case management support just as legal aid is being stripped away. While state courts do not grant immigration status, they provide the essential foundation for these processes to even begin. Without access to our courts and legal services, immigrant youth, survivors, and other vulnerable New Yorkers will be left unprotected. Flexible state funding, strong support for legal services, and continued commitment to protecting the role of our courts are essential to ensuring equal access to justice.”
About the NYLSC
The New York Legal Services Coalition is a statewide association that represents the interests of civil legal services organizations and the communities they serve. Our members collectively provide services in the areas of family law, housing, immigration, and public benefits across all 62 counties of New York State.
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