Access Justice Brooklyn

Consumer debt program: in the past year, the organization handled 3,257 consumer debt cases, assisting approximately 7,286 individuals and family members. Access Justice Brooklyn operates two programs in kings county civil court to assist unrepresented consumer credit litigants. The civil legal advice and resource office (claro) program is a free weekly clinic which gives litigants important information about debt collection and their options for defense, representing a critical resource for individuals without counsel. Through the volunteer lawyer for a day (vlfd) Access to Justice program, an Access Justice Brooklyn attorney is present four days per week in kings county civil court and works with pro bono volunteer attorneys, law graduates, and law students to provide limited scope representation to unrepresented litigants on the date of their court appearance, including clients referred by our claro program, to help reduce or dismiss their debt or obtain an adjournment. For individuals seeking to discharge debt and reorder their finances, we prepare bankruptcy petitions and offer representation in chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings.

Homeowner assistance program: in the past year, the organization handled 498 foreclosure matters, department of buildings violations, and other issues impacting Brooklyn homeowners, assisting approximately 1,415 individuals and family members. Access Justice Brooklyn's services to homeowners encompass a range of services that include foreclosure intervention and prevention, assistance with deed theft and other scams, and representation in administrative hearings that concern department of buildings (dob) violations. For homeowners at risk of losing their homes due to foreclosure, we provide advice, brief services, and full legal representation including foreclosure motion practice, bad faith hearings, foreclosure defense litigation, preparing and negotiating loan modifications, and attending settlement conferences. We also participate in workshops and legal clinics, such as the flag clinic where we provide information, advice, and brief legal services to homeowners who have attended pre-settlement conferences; the friend of the court programs for emergency, limited scope representation in foreclosure cases; and other clinics for homeowners appearing in kings county supreme court. In addition, we assist homeowners with dob violations by providing limited scope, day-of representation before the office of administrative trials and hearings (oath), helping reduce or dismiss fines and preventing liens that can increase the likelihood of foreclosure.

Family stabilization program: in the past year, the organization handled 394 family law cases, assisting approximately 780 individuals and family members. Access Justice Brooklyn works to stabilize Brooklyn families by helping to resolve disputes in family court related to custody, visitation, and child and spousal support for both custodial and non-custodial parents to ensure fairness and equity in support orders issued by the kings county family court. We also have a robust pro se uncontested divorce program through which we draft divorce pleadings for clients seeking legal separation from a partner. In addition, we provide advice and representation in article 17a guardianship matters to designate trusted friends or family members to act on behalf of individuals who are over age 18 and living with intellectual or developmental disabilities. We also hold clinics where clients can make appointments for pro se assistance related to uncontested divorce as well as article 17a guardianship matters.

Senior assistance, immigration, and miscellaneous matters; legal education and outreach; continuing legal education (cle)