Coronavirus (COVID-19) Legal Services Resources Flyer

During this time of uncertainty and hardship, New Yorkers are looking for legal advice and guidance on a wide range of issues. Through the work of its City Bar Justice Center (CBJC) and Legal Referral Service, the New York City Bar Association is offering a series of resources and legal services to help New Yorkers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  These initiatives build on existing relationships with dozens of law firms and corporate legal departments, as well as City Bar members.

Please visit www.citybarjusticecenter.org and www.nycbar.org/get-legal-help for more information.

• Expansion of CBJC Legal Hotline to handle COVID-19 related issues: The CBJC Legal Hotline is fully staffed remotely by attorneys to assist low-income callers on a range of civil legal issues including  COVID-19 related matters touching on relief programs, mortgage and student loan relief, housing law, employment law, visitation, statute of limitations questions and consumer law. The CBJC is utilizing comprehensive training modules to stay on top of COVID-19 related developments in the law. Staff includes bilingual attorneys (English and Spanish) and can accept calls in any language through interpreting services. Click here to learn more or call 212-626-7383.
  

• COVID-19 Small Business Remote Legal Clinic: This clinic connects pro bono lawyers with New York City’s entrepreneurs and small businesses needing access to the federal government’s COVID-19 stimulus package and other opportunities available through federal, state and local programs. The project will offer no-cost, limited-scope remote consultations to small businesses (100 employees or fewer) that have COVID-19 related concerns, with attorney volunteers being trained to advise on: (1) the various grant and loan programs available; (2) commercial leasing; (3) contract and specifically force majeure issues; (4) insurance; (5) tax; and (6) restructuring / insolvency / bankruptcy. There are currently over 90 law firms and corporate legal departments involved, with over 500 attorneys having completed the registration process. Click here to learn more.

• Free Life-Planning Legal Assistance to New York City Front-Line Health Care Workers:  This initiative is relying on pro bono volunteers to provide free, remote legal assistance to frontline health care workers in preparing simple life-planning documents, including wills, powers of attorney, designations of standby guardians and health care proxies. Click here to learn more.
  

• Legal Referral Service: Our Legal Referral Service remains fully operational, with all attorney referral counselors and participating lawyers working remotely. The call is free and, if referred, the initial virtual or phone consultation will be $35 or free, depending on the type of case, and will last for up to 30 minutes. Call 212-626-7373 (212-626-7374 en español) or submit a lawyer referral request online.

• Online Legal Resources: Visit the CBJC and Legal Referral Service websites as resources are added or updated: 
  • Dealing With the Financial Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19): A Resource Guide for New York City Residents (English and Spanish)
  • What You Should Know about Coronavirus Medical Coverage in NYC
  • What You Should Do if a Family Member Is Dying