Policy Advocacy
Fighting for, advocating for, and creating just public policies for people experiencing poverty.
NYLAG stands proudly with vulnerable communities in New York, and beyond. We believe in the power of the law to change lives, so we push to ensure that our laws are just. We work to shape laws and policies, to reform those that are discriminatory or outdated, and to create new laws when emerging needs call for them.
Our Approach
We amplify the voices of our clients by advocating for them in spaces where they may not have a seat at the table. We do this in the following ways:
- Educating policymakers about issues of poverty and the gaps in our civil justice system
- Drafting legislation, public comments, and statements
- Delivering testimony at government hearings, briefings, and other relevant spaces
- Leading and taking part in coalitions and committees that integrate our clients’ needs into policy conversations
- Marching and rallying with our clients and supporters
Policy advocacy statements, public comments, and news.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month | ReThinkAccess ReThinkSystems
The last 18 months have exacerbated many barriers that survivors face when attempting to access justice. Many of the survivors we have spoken to during the pandemic have complained of increased barriers, including lack of language access, lack of access to technology and childcare, and heightened mistrust of the legal system and the police.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Healthy Financial Relationships
More than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Research, as well as NYLAG’s experience advocating for survivors, has established that Linda’s situation is not unique: domestic violence is often accompanied by financially controlling or retaliatory behavior.

Black Women Equal Pay Day 2021
If you are a Black women, Black Women’s Equal Pay Day is an acknowledgment of the unique challenges that you face in the job market. It is also a call to action. New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) sees you and supports you both with our one-on-one legal and financial counseling services as well as in our impact litigation and public advocacy campaigns.