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Law Reform Unit

Building on the overall Civil Practice’s representation of individual clients, the Civil Practice’s Law Reform Unit represents clients to effect systemic changes through law reform and class action litigation and advocacy that benefit large numbers of clients with similar legal problems.

Examples of client groups who have benefited from such litigation include:

  • Homeless families and individuals who need emergency shelter and services
  • Tenants whose housing subsidies are being cut off
  • Families facing eviction because of inadequate rent allowances
  • Public assistance recipients who need help complying with welfare rules because of a disability
  • Immigrants who are turned down for public benefits

Did you know…

The Law Reform Unit has an active affirmative litigation docket of approximately 21 cases that benefit virtually the entire population of low-income families and individuals in New York City.

Case Example

The Legal Aid Society brought Khrapunskiy v. Doar on behalf of disabled immigrants in New York State who, solely because of their immigration status, were given only about half the level of public assistance benefits that other disabled persons receive. As a result of a favorable ruling in the case, thousands of disabled immigrants — many of them elderly — will no longer have to choose between food, medicine, and shelter.