Empire Justice Center

What Empire Justice Center does

Empire Justice Center is a statewide nonprofit law firm founded in 1973 and headquartered in Rochester, New York, that provides civil legal services to low-income and marginalized New Yorkers through a 360-degree model combining direct representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and training. The organization delivers services across 15+ issue areas including civil rights, immigration, foreclosure prevention, public benefits, Social Security/SSI, tenant advocacy, LGBTQ rights, student debt counseling, domestic violence, crime victims, police reform, and tax advocacy, operating from seven offices across New York (Rochester, Albany, Yonkers, White Plains, Central Islip, and Hempstead) and through a network of 30+ community partner sites.

Its core operational programs include the CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) free tax preparation program — a VITA coalition led by Empire Justice Center since 2007 that has prepared 155,000+ returns and returned $253M+ in refunds since 2003 — and major state-funded initiatives including the Disability Advocacy Program (DAP), Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP), Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP), and Managed Care Consumer Assistance Program (MCCAP). Technology infrastructure consists of civil legal services case management systems, IRS-certified VITA tax preparation software, SurveyMonkey for client pre-screening, and Better Impact for volunteer management; no AI/ML capabilities are evidenced in the data.

Empire Justice Center is funded almost entirely through government grants and foundation support, with statutory revenue streams from New York State (IOLA, JCLS, HOPP, DAP, EDCAP, MCCAP, LSAF, Upstate Civil Legal Services), federal sources (IRS VITA Grant), and major funders including United Way of Greater Rochester, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, and Rochester Area Community Foundation. The organization owes $3,021,942 in receivables from New York State for services performed under at least one contract between April 2025 and March 2026. Recent landmark litigation outcomes include the Inzinga v. NYS DOL settlement benefiting 5,300 workers and ongoing class actions against New York State over shelter allowances affecting nearly 740,000 public assistance recipients.

Name

Empire Justice Center

Legal name

Empire Justice Center

Website

https://empirejustice.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Empire Justice Center is a New York statewide nonprofit law firm founded in 1973 that delivers civil legal aid, free tax preparation via the CASH program, impact litigation, and policy advocacy to low-income and marginalized New Yorkers across 15+ issue areas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civil Legal Aid Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Criminal Justice Reform & Legal System Advocacy (BPAGAFAI)

Keywords

• Civil legal aid
• Nonprofit law firm
• Free tax preparation
• Impact litigation
• Policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. State Government Funding - IOLA: Interest on Lawyers Account (IOLA) funding - statutory dedicated funds from interest on attorney trust accounts, fully funded at $102.5 million statewide; provides core civil legal services funding
2. Judiciary Civil Legal Services (JCLS): Office of Court Administration funding at $179.5 million including $25 million increase and 3% COLA; supports wide array of legal services
3. Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP): State funding for foreclosure prevention network helping vulnerable homeowners
4. Disability Advocacy Program (DAP): State-funded legal assistance for low-income disabled New Yorkers seeking SSI/SSD benefits, funded at $5.26M plus $1.5M legislative add-on
5. Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP): Historic $6M investment for student loan support services across New York state
6. Managed Care Consumer Assistance Program (MCCAP): Level funded at $1.767M for assisting low-income seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare options
7. IRS VITA Grant Program: Federal funding for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program providing free tax preparation
8. United Way of Greater Rochester: Primary local funder for CASH tax preparation program
9. Legal Services Assistance Fund (LSAF): Traditional legislative funding addition supporting 360-degree civil legal services approach
10. Upstate Civil Legal Services: State funding supporting tenant defense project in Rochester and upstate operations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Empire Justice Center is a statewide nonprofit public interest law firm that provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers through a 360-degree model combining direct legal representation, impact litigation, and policy advocacy. Its core offerings include the CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) free tax preparation program, the Tax Advocacy Program for IRS disputes, and legal services across 15+ issue areas such as housing, disability, immigration, public benefits, and civil rights.

Product overview

Empire Justice Center is a statewide non-profit civil legal aid law firm operating since 1973 that provides a comprehensive portfolio of legal services to low-income and marginalized New Yorkers. The organization uses a 360-degree approach combining direct legal representation, policy advocacy, impact litigation, and training/technical assistance. Core programs include the CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) free tax preparation program, Tax Advocacy Program, Litigation Services, Policy Central, and Training Center. Legal services span over 15 issue areas including Civil Rights, Immigration, Foreclosure Prevention, Public Benefits, Social Security/SSI, Tenant Advocacy, LGBTQ Rights, Student Debt Counseling, Health, Domestic Violence, Crime Victims, Police Reform, and more. The organization also publishes regular newsletters including Policy Matters (monthly) and Disability Law News. Services are delivered through offices in Rochester, Albany, Yonkers, White Plains, Central Islip, and Hempstead.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CASH: Free tax preparation program (VITA) providing assistance to low-income workers including those eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). CASH uses the 'tax return moment' as an opportunity to connect clients with resources for financial wellbeing.

Products and services

• CASH Program (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Free IRS-certified volunteer tax preparation program serving low-income workers in Monroe County, including EITC claimants, with on-site bank account opening and financial capability support.
• Tax Advocacy Program Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic providing legal representation for tax disputes with the IRS and NYS Department of Taxation, including tax advocacy and assistance with IRS letters or notices.
• Litigation Services Impact litigation and direct legal representation addressing systemic issues affecting low-income New Yorkers, including cases on public benefits, housing, disability rights, and immigration.
• Policy Central Policy advocacy initiative undertaking legislative and administrative advocacy, drafting and amending legislation, and providing subject matter expertise to policymakers on behalf of clients.
• Training Center Training, support, and technical assistance provided to legal services and community-based organizations to help better serve clients across New York State.
• Immigration Legal Services Legal assistance for immigrant communities including representation for unaccompanied children, immigration court proceedings, and related legal matters.
• Foreclosure Prevention / HOPP Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) providing legal assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure, including property tax foreclosure defense.
• Public Benefits Services Legal assistance for public benefits including Medicaid, SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and shelter assistance.
• Disability Advocacy Program (DAP) Legal assistance for low-income disabled New Yorkers seeking Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits and ADA accommodations.
• Tenant Advocacy Legal representation for tenants including eviction defense, rent supplement programs, and housing stability services.
• Crime Victims Services (VOCA) Legal assistance for crime victims through the Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) program, providing representation across multiple regions in New York.
• Student Debt Counseling (EDCAP) Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program providing free, unbiased advice to help New Yorkers navigate student loans and avoid default.
• Civil Rights Legal Services Legal representation and advocacy on civil rights matters affecting marginalized communities in New York, including legal name changes.

Quantifiable outcome

• $253M+ in tax refunds returned to low-income families since 2003
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• University at Buffalo School of Law Clinical Legal Education ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in federal litigation (Inzinga v. NYS DOL) for pandemic unemployment benefits; law students gained hands-on experience in complex federal litigation since 2021
• National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership in disability rights litigation including Newkirk v. Imhof (Suffolk County ADA accommodations) and Andersen v. Roberts (OTDA workfare credits)
• Dentons US LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro bono counsel for plaintiffs in Newkirk v. Imhof disability rights class action, providing legal representation alongside NCLEJ and Empire Justice
• Consumer Credit Counseling Service of RochestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeads Asset Partnership coalition for centralized, coordinated asset-building services; goal to improve lives of 100 families in 3 years
• Rochester Monroe Anti Poverty Initiative (RMAPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-wide initiative to address factors causing poverty; CASH shares zip code level data from 10,000+ clients to inform anti-poverty efforts; goal to reduce poverty by 50% over 15 years
• Bank OnmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to open bank accounts on-site for CASH clients; contributed to direct deposit rate rising from 59% (2008) to 81% (2016)
• Action for a Better CommunitymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgency partner site for CASH tax preparation services; serves employees of their agency
• Monroe County Department of Human ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in community outreach for CASH program and Empire State Child Credit awareness
• NYS Department of Taxation & FinancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner for tax preparation services and Empire State Child Credit outreach
• SEIU 1199 Health Care Workers UnionminorOthersCommunity partner organization collaborating on anti-poverty initiatives
• Legal Aid SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-plaintiff in shelter allowance lawsuit against New York State; partner in litigation addressing inadequate public assistance
• Bond, Hughes HubbardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-counsel with Legal Aid Society and Empire Justice in lawsuit against New York State for failure to provide adequate shelter allowances
• Five Star BankminorOthersLocal banking partner for CASH program; helps open bank accounts for clients
• Genesee Co-Op Federal Credit UnionminorOthersCredit union partner for CASH program; assists with opening bank accounts for low-income clients

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Public Counsel: Public Counsel is a nonprofit public-interest law firm serving low-income and underrepresented communities through direct legal services, impact litigation, and policy advocacy. Its broad civil-rights and poverty-law portfolio closely mirrors Empire Justice Center's integrated delivery model.
• The Legal Aid Society: The Legal Aid Society is a major New York nonprofit legal-services organization providing direct representation, civil legal aid, public-benefits advocacy, and impact litigation. It closely matches Empire Justice Center's mission and nonprofit delivery model and has also partnered with it on New York litigation.
• Legal Aid Chicago: Legal Aid Chicago is a nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal services through direct representation and community partnerships. Its justice-gap mission, grant-supported structure, and multi-issue practice closely resemble Empire Justice Center's operations.
• Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County: Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County is a nonprofit legal-aid organization serving low-income residents through direct representation and community education. Its free legal-services model and concentration on housing, benefits, disability, and other poverty-law issues make it a strong operating peer.
• Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York: Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals and families across upstate New York. Its nonprofit law-firm model, direct representation, and statewide access-to-justice mission are closely comparable.
• Legal Assistance of Western New York: Legal Assistance of Western New York is a regional nonprofit legal-aid organization serving low-income communities through direct representation and advocacy. Its upstate footprint and focus on poverty-law issues make it directly comparable to Empire Justice Center.
• New York Legal Assistance Group: New York Legal Assistance Group is a nonprofit organization providing free civil legal services, direct representation, and impact litigation across New York. It shares Empire Justice Center's legal-aid model and beneficiary base, although it has a stronger New York City focus.
• Legal Services of the Hudson Valley: Legal Services of the Hudson Valley is a nonprofit civil legal-aid provider serving low-income residents in New York's Hudson Valley. Its direct representation, housing, benefits, disability, and immigration work makes it a close regional public-interest law-firm peer.
• Community Legal Services: Community Legal Services is a nonprofit legal-aid provider offering free representation in housing, public benefits, family law, and other poverty-law matters. It is comparable through its direct-service model, grant dependence, and focus on economically disadvantaged clients.
• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles: Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles is a nonprofit civil legal-aid organization providing direct representation and advocacy for low-income individuals and families. Its broad portfolio, free-service model, and impact-litigation work are directly comparable to Empire Justice Center.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/empirejustice
• Facebookfacebook.com/empirejustice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/empire-justice-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/empirejusticecenter

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Empire Justice Center