Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1984, when leaders in the private bar responded to severe federal government budget cuts to legal services. They committed through VOLS to dramatically increase pro bono service in New York City’s underserved communities. Across decades and through crises such as the 1980s HIV/AIDS epidemic, 2008 financial crisis, and COVID-19 pandemic, VOLS’ legal services have helped to anchor the safety net in our city. Today, VOLS harnesses the power of New York City’s private bar and community-based organizations to provide free, civil legal services through six VOLS law projects and initiatives: 

• Children’s Project
• Immigration Project
• Incarcerated Mothers Law Project
• Microenterprise Project
• Senior Law Project
  • La Extensión Comunitaria Para Adultos Mayores
  • Veterans Initiative
• Benefits Law Project

We serve New Yorkers who are unable to access legal support due to low household income or underserved socio-economic background. Our legal services are inclusive of age, race, ability, gender and LGBTQIA+ identity, veteran and immigration status.