Legal Assistance of Western New York

What Legal Assistance of Western New York does

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY®) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm founded in 1968 that provides free civil legal aid to income-eligible individuals across 14 counties in Western New York. The organization delivers direct legal representation and advocacy in matters including housing, family law, domestic violence, consumer issues, public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSD), healthcare, employment, education, foreclosure, and re-entry services. Its specialized programs include the Fair Housing Enforcement Project, which conducts testing and advocacy for housing discrimination, and Re-Entry Legal Services for individuals returning from incarceration. Service delivery is organized through seven field offices in Jamestown, Geneva, Bath, Olean, Elmira, Ithaca, and Rochester, supported by an online intake application, a toll-free hotline, a community education program with over 100 legal information articles available in English and Spanish, and community outreach events such as the Bath Office Community Block Party.

LawNY operates on a grant-funded nonprofit business model rather than a fee-for-service model. The organization does not charge clients and is sustained primarily through grants from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), United Way, AmeriCorps, and other foundation and government sources, supplemented by charitable donations from individuals and organizations. Its go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on referrals from social service agencies (DSS offices, United Way), direct outreach at community events, online intake, and the toll-free hotline. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors under Executive Director Ken Perri and Deputy Director Lori O'Brien, with Managing Attorney David Kagle leading the housing program.

LawNY does not employ proprietary technology or AI/ML capabilities; its technology stack consists of an online intake portal hosted on legalserver.org and a content management-driven website. Key external partnerships include LSC, United Way, and AmeriCorps as core financial supporters, with corporate and community organizations (Community Bank N.A., Wegmans, 211 Finger Lakes, Family Service Society Inc.) participating as event sponsors for community engagement activities.

Name

Legal Assistance of Western New York

Legal name

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. ®

Website

https://lawny.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm founded in 1968 that provides free civil legal aid to low-income individuals across 14 counties in Western New York through seven field offices and specialized programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Aid Services

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Defense & Legal Aid Services (BPAIAFAC)

Keywords

• Civil legal aid
• Nonprofit legal services
• Free legal representation
• Fair housing enforcement
• Re-entry legal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Government Grants: LawNY operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through grants from Legal Services Corporation (LSC), United Way, AmeriCorps, and other foundation/government sources. The organization does not charge clients for services.
2. Donations: The organization accepts charitable donations from individuals and organizations to support its mission of increasing access to justice. The 50th anniversary campaign included a matching donation opportunity from the Glover-Crask Foundation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal aid services to low-income residents across 14 counties in Western New York. Services include direct legal representation in housing, family law, domestic violence, consumer, public benefits, employment, foreclosure, and re-entry matters, plus community education through an online legal information library.

Product overview

LawNY (Legal Assistance of Western New York) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit law firm providing free civil legal aid through a network of 7 field offices serving 14 western New York counties. The organization offers direct legal representation, an online legal information library with over 100 articles, and specialized programs including the Fair Housing Enforcement Project and Re-Entry Legal Services. Services are delivered through in-person office visits, online intake applications, and community education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Free Civil Legal Aid Services Free legal representation and advocacy for civil legal matters including housing, family law, domestic violence, consumer issues, public benefits, healthcare, and employment for income-eligible residents of 14 western New York counties.
• Online Legal Information Library

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• 211 Finger Lakes RegionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 June 2026Community resource helpline organization sponsoring LawNY's Bath Office Community Block Party and Open House event.
• Community Bank, N.A.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 June 2026Local financial institution sponsoring LawNY's Bath Office Community Block Party and Open House event.
• Family Service Society, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 June 2026Social services organization sponsoring LawNY's Bath Office Community Block Party and Open House event.
• WegmansminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 June 2026Regional grocery retailer sponsoring LawNY's Bath Office Community Block Party and Open House event.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Pro Bono Net: Nonprofit organization that develops technology and resource platforms (including LawHelpNY.org, which LawNY links to) used by civil legal aid providers. Comparable as a legal aid ecosystem enabler rather than a direct service competitor.

Direct peers

• Legal Services NYC: LSC-funded civil legal services provider serving New York City with offices across the five boroughs. Strongly comparable as a free civil legal aid organization offering housing, family, consumer, and benefits representation to low-income clients.
• The Legal Aid Society: New York City's primary provider of free civil legal services to low-income residents. Directly comparable as a 501(c)(3) LSC-funded legal aid organization delivering free civil representation in housing, family, and public benefits matters.
• Empire Justice Center: New York statewide legal services support center providing training, backup, and impact litigation for civil legal aid programs including LawNY. Comparable as a New York-focused nonprofit legal services organization serving low-income populations.
• Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS): New York City nonprofit that mobilizes pro bono attorneys to deliver free civil legal services in housing, family, elder, immigration, and consumer matters. Comparable legal aid nonprofit model with pro bono delivery infrastructure similar to LawNY.
• New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): NYC-based nonprofit providing free civil legal services in housing, family, elder law, public benefits, and consumer matters. Directly comparable as a 501(c)(3) civil legal aid organization serving low-income New Yorkers.

Regional players

• Brooklyn Defender Services: New York-based public defender and civil legal services organization. Comparable in mission to provide free legal representation to indigent clients; differs in its hybrid criminal/civil delivery model and Brooklyn focus.
• Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS): LSC-funded Massachusetts legal aid program providing free civil legal services across Greater Boston. Comparable as a regional 501(c)(3) legal aid organization serving low-income clients with similar practice areas.
• Community Legal Aid (Massachusetts): Massachusetts-based LSC-funded legal aid program providing free civil services in housing, family, consumer, and public benefits matters. Comparable as a regional civil legal aid organization serving low-income individuals.

Broad incumbents

• Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA): Large LSC-funded California civil legal aid organization serving low-income residents. Comparable structurally as a regional free civil legal aid nonprofit with similar practice areas (housing, family, public benefits).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lawny

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Legal Assistance of Western New York