How to Give Help

SBLS serves about 5,000 families and individuals every year. Somewhat less than 1,000 are represented in a legal proceeding—the rest get legal advice and referrals. Due to lack of resources we estimate that we help only a small percentage—maybe 10%—of the people who need our assistance and live in our service area.

You can help us help Brooklyn by giving money or your time and effort. To make a donation, click here. We are also delighted to receive donations by mail at South Brooklyn Legal Services, 105 Court Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

If you are an attorney, you can help us by taking on a case or co-counseling with us on a pro bono basis. There are a variety of ways to do this. For more information on ways to do pro bono work, click here. Then call Chip Gray at 718-237-5524 to get started.

If you are a law student or other person who would like to volunteer, please call Chip Gray at 718-237-5524.

In the News

SBLS Lawsuit Over MTA Cuts Draws Citywide Attention (18 August 2010)

Local news outlets have released several reports on South Brooklyn Legal Services’ federal lawsuit filed against the MTA this week in response to service and bus route cuts which SBLS says violate the Americans with Disabilities Acts.

SBLS Attorney Criticizes Mega-Landlord in City Limits Article ( 9 June 2010)

South Brooklyn Legal Services Director of Litigation Ed Josephson was interviewed for a recent City Limits article about a class-action lawsuit against the Pinnacle Group, a massive landlord that owns dozens of buildings across in New York. They’ve been accused of using various tactics, including increasing rents on rent-controlled apartments, to edge tenants out of apartments and then increase prices.

SBLS Attorney Johnson Tyler Featured Prominently in City Limits Article Discussing Criminal Charges for Fraudulent Proces Servers (21 May 2010)

A recent article by City Limits magazine interviewed Johnson Tyler, director of the South Brooklyn Legal Services Consumer Unit, for a perspective on the difficulties of pursuing criminal charges for debt collectors and process servers engaged in “sewer service.”

"American Modification Agency" Scam Declared 'Illegal' By Manhattan Judge After SBLS Suit ( 5 May 2010)

The Long Island-based American Modification Agency (AMA or Amerimod) that was sued by South Brooklyn Legal Services has been found by a judge to have engaged in fraudulent, deceptive and illegal business practices by promising to save clients’ homes in exchange for hefty upfront fees and then often doing little or nothing in return.

SBLS Attorney Quoted in Daily News Piece on Debt-Settlement Scams ( 5 May 2010)

A recent article on Sen. Chuck Schumer’s attempt to crack down on debt-settlement scams in the Daily News featured an interview with attorney Matt Crawford of South Brooklyn Legal Services.

SBLS in the News