Practice Areas
Since 1966, Legal Aid Society of Rockland County, Inc. (LASRC) has provided free civil legal services to Rockland County, New York residents who cannot afford private attorneys. We strive to ensure that Rockland County families and individuals, seniors and children, have access to a safe home, enough food to eat, public benefits to which they are entitled, medical care and adequate shelter.
Legal Aid stands ready to assist you with your legal and social concerns and invites you to get in touch with us.
The Legal Aid Society of Rockland County - The voice for equal justice in our community.
PUBLIC BENEFITS
Finding the way through the benefits system can be complicated and challenging; however, for many people public benefits from county, state or federal government programs are often the only source of household income. Legal Aid can help!
HOUSING
In the face of the economic crisis facing so many of our neighbors, LASRC has drawn on its expertise in the area of housing law to expand its services to families facing mortgage foreclosure. By providing high quality legal representation to tenants and homeowners, LASRC’s housing unit plays a leading role in preventing its clients’ loss of shelter and the resultant homelessness.
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
The Children’s Rights Division attorneys represent the overwhelming majority of children who are the subject of cases before the Rockland County Family Court. Formerly known as Law Guardians, our attorneys are now referred to as “Attorneys for the Child” and play a critical role in Family Court proceedings.
OTHER PRACTICE AREAS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Helping our clients escape the cycle of domestic abuse is a significant part of our work at LASRC. We focus on stopping family violence, helping to secure stability and financial support for survivors of domestic violence and other individuals involved in divorce actions. Typically, these are cases with a long history of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse, involving difficult issues of child custody and visitation.
Our attorneys and advocates provide ongoing advice and representation to clients and work with local agencies and community organizations to educate, protect and represent domestic violence victims. Our domestic violence work places emphasis on the enforcement of law to protect victims and demonstrates that violent behavior in the home will not be tolerated.
IMMIGRATION
Legal assistance can often help avoid the separation of families and help immigrants remain productive members of their communities. The attorneys at LASRC provide free assistance to individuals and their families with immigration problems including gaining legal status, temporary and permanent resident status, and US citizenship.
BANKRUPTCY AND CONSUMER LAW
LASRC provides legal advice to clients facing consumer law problems. LASRC attorneys also file bankruptcy petitions for clients facing loss of income or resources because of a wage garnishment or a frozen bank account.
HIV/AIDS ADVOCACY
LASRC attorneys handle a variety of legal problems for people living with HIV and AIDS. Services we provide include public benefits, family law, employment, housing, and disability issues. We assist people who have faced discrimination because they have tested positive for HIV/AIDS, specifically those denied access to housing or who have been threatened with eviction because they have HIV/AIDS; those who have lost jobs because they are suspected of having HIV/AIDS; and those who have been denied insurance coverage because of claims that the HIV/AIDS diagnosis was a pre-existing condition. In addition, LASRC attorneys and advocates provide legal assistance with durable powers of attorney, simple wills and health care directives.