Legal Services

New York City law protects people from being denied employment based solely on a criminal history.

Yet unlawful discrimination still happens. We represent young people who face hiring discrimination, improper background checks, or wrongful denial of employment licenses. We also support the application process of the employment license.

Our goal is simple: educate young people and employers on the law, and ensure a record does not become a permanent barrier to opportunity.

Most employers and landlords run background checks, but many young people are unsure what appears on their record. We obtain RAP sheets directly from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) or the FBI, helping youth avoid unnecessary trauma and confusion. We review records for accuracy, correct administrative errors, and counsel young people on how to speak about their history clearly and confidently to ensure they are only providing required information.

While everyone is entitled to a lawyer in criminal court, young people often face additional barriers navigating the system.

Police looking for a client, missed court dates, summonses, or fear of returning to court can quickly escalate consequences. Our attorneys combine legal expertise with youth development principles to guide clients through the legal process and mitigate harm.

We provide gender-affirming legal support to transgender and gender-nonconforming youth seeking to update their legal name and gender marker. This includes assisting with name change and gender marker petitions, corrections on identity documents, and helping young people navigate the court and administrative processes. Our goal is to ensure that youth have access to accurate identity documents that affirm who they are and reduce barriers to education, employment, housing, and other opportunities.

We help fight perpetual punishment through sealing motions, motions for Retroactive Youthful Offender status, Certificates of Relief from Disabilities, Certificates of Good Conduct, and motions for early termination of their probation supervision. We do not provide criminal appeals representation.

Legal issues often intersect with broader challenges affecting housing, education, health, and economic stability. When a young person needs support beyond the matters we directly handle, we connect them to trusted legal and social service partners across New York City.

Through our network of referral organizations, we help connect youth to immigration services, housing support, family court assistance, education advocacy, long-term mental health care, benefits access, workforce resources, and other critical supports that promote stability and opportunity.