Co-Counsel NYC
Co-Counsel NYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services organization, founded in 2023, that partners with community organizations, law firms, and companies to provide immigration and family law training, supervision, co-counseling, and community education for immigrant communities in New York and beyond.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Co-Counsel NYC does
Co-Counsel NYC, Inc. is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services organization (EIN 93-3442871) founded in October 2023 by Terry Lawson and Rebecca Press, both formerly senior leaders at UnLocal. The organization partners with community-based organizations, law firms, and companies to deliver training, supervision, co-counseling, and community education on immigration and family law matters before USCIS and EOIR, with deep specialization in humanitarian relief (asylum, SIJS, VAWA, U/T visas, TPS) and appellate litigation. Revenue is generated primarily through tax-deductible donations and grants supplemented by nominal training fees ($100 per session for the general public, with scholarships and nonprofit discounts), making this a donation-funded nonprofit rather than a fee-for-service legal practice.
The service portfolio is organized into core offerings (training and supervision for attorneys, partnership-based co-counseling, pro se clinics, community education) and four branded programs: The Lighthouse Initiative (detention support with the New York Immigration Coalition), the Resilient Communities Project, the Community SIJS Project, and Sacred Court Support (interfaith court accompaniment). Headcount is small (approximately 7 staff including two Senior Counsel, a Supervising Attorney, Senior Paralegal, Project Coordinator, and the two Co-Executive Directors), but the roster is unusually credentialed, with leadership including a former Appellate Immigration Judge and a former EOIR Immigration Judge, and cumulative experience spanning thousands of cases and major appellate work.
The business model relies on a partnership-led go-to-market: 24 active partnerships with community organizations and firms (including Amazon, Mary's Place, K&L Gates, Perkins Coie, Fenwick & West, Davis Wright Tremaine, Cleary, Kirkland, Linklater, and Proskauer & Rose), with reach evidenced by 169 delivered presentations, 7,215 trained attendees, and 550K+ views of multilingual (English/Spanish/French) resources. There is no disclosed proprietary technology platform, API, or paid SaaS product; distribution is through partner referrals, MCLE-approved training events, earned media, and the cocounsel.org website.
Co-Counsel NYC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Co-Counsel NYC
- Legal name
- Co-Counsel NYC, Inc.
- Website
- https://cocounsel.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Co-Counsel NYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services organization, founded in 2023, that partners with community organizations, law firms, and companies to provide immigration and family law training, supervision, co-counseling, and community education for immigrant communities in New York and beyond.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Co-Counsel NYC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Immigration Legal Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN)
Keywords
Where Co-Counsel NYC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Co-Counsel NYC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Co-Counsel NYC operates primarily through tax-deductible donations. The organization accepts mail donations and states EIN 93-3442871 for donation purposes. No specific grant information or major donor details are disclosed.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One time | Standard Training - $100 per session |
| Freemium | One time | Non-profit Employee - Free |
| Freemium | One time | Scholarship - Free |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Co-Counsel NYC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Co-Counsel NYC is a nonprofit legal services organization that delivers training, supervision, co-counseling, and community education on immigration and family law matters to community-based organizations, law firms, companies, and directly impacted immigrant communities. Its practice spans removal defense, affirmative relief, post-order defense (including appeals and habeas), family law, and relief for survivors of gender-based violence, delivered through programs such as The Lighthouse Initiative, the Resilient Communities Project, the Community SIJS Project, and Sacred Court Support.
Product overview
Co-Counsel NYC is a nonprofit legal services organization offering a suite of interconnected legal support services for immigrant communities. The core offerings include training and supervision for attorneys, co-counseling partnerships, pro se clinics, and community education programs. The organization runs specialized initiatives including The Lighthouse Initiative (detention support), Resilient Communities Project (community support), Community SIJS Project (youth immigration status), and Sacred Court Support (court accompaniment). Legal specialties span removal defense, affirmative relief, family law, post-order defense, and relief for survivors of gender-based violence. Resources include practice advisories and educational materials available in multiple languages.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Lighthouse Initiative: A collaboration between Co-Counsel NYC and the New York Immigration Coalition that supports immigrant New Yorkers detained by ICE far from home.
- Resilient Communities Project
- Community SIJS Project
- Sacred Court Support
Products and services
- Training Services Substantive training, supervision, and co-counseling provided to lawyers interested in litigating immigration cases before USCIS and/or the Immigration Courts but who have limited expertise in high-stakes cases. Sessions are approved for MCLE credits and include training slides, sample materials, and case law resources.
- Partnership Services Partnerships on all aspects of immigration cases with law firms, community-based organizations, and companies, including application preparation, evidence development, brief writing, trial preparation, litigation, and appellate litigation.
- Pro Se Clinics Development, implementation, and supervision of pro se clinics that help immigrants complete applications for asylum, work authorization, temporary protected status, and other forms of immigration relief without direct attorney representation.
- Community Education Education and supervision of advocates at community-based organizations, companies, and law firms, with a deep commitment to providing education to directly impacted immigrant communities.
- The Lighthouse Initiative A collaboration between Co-Counsel NYC and the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) that supports immigrant New Yorkers detained by ICE far from home, ensuring continued access to critical legal support regardless of where someone is detained.
- Resilient Communities Project A network of community-based organizations, faith groups, and volunteers helping keep immigrant families and neighbors safe, informed, and empowered through community support teams, immigration legal case support, accompaniment, and practical connections.
- Community SIJS Project Empowers young people and their caregivers to navigate the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) process through multilingual education sessions and pro se workshops covering Family Court filings to USCIS applications.
- Sacred Court Support A relationship-centered, interfaith accompaniment program at NYC Immigration Courts, training and organizing volunteers to accompany immigrants during court proceedings with presence, compassion, and care, and explaining the legal basis of arrests and detentions.
- Removal Defense Services Defensive immigration representation including defensive asylum, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal, waivers, and requests for prosecutorial discretion.
- Affirmative Relief Services Affirmative immigration representation including affirmative asylum, Temporary Protected Status, DACA renewals, employment authorization, family-based petitions, applications for lawful permanent residency, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and naturalization.
- Family Law and Practice Services Family law representation including orders of protection, custody and guardianship proceedings, and legal name changes.
- Post-Order Defense Services Post-order immigration defense including appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, motions to reopen, ICE custody review, and habeas petitions.
- Relief for Survivors and Victims Services Legal representation and support for survivors and victims of gender-based violence and other crimes, including U visas, T visas, and VAWA-related immigration relief.
- Legal Resources and Practice Advisories Free legal resources including practice advisories on immigration topics such as BIA appeals, habeas petitions, and emergency preparedness planning packets, plus educational materials published in English, Spanish, and French.
Quantifiable outcome
- 169 presentations delivered to firms and organizations; 7,215 individuals trained; 550K+ views of resources; 24 active partnerships; 3,560 hours supporting partners
Companies that use Co-Counsel NYC
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Co-Counsel NYC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Co-Counsel NYC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)coreCollaboration on The Lighthouse Initiative, supporting immigrant New Yorkers detained by ICE far from home. Addresses the gap when community members are transferred out of state, ensuring continued access to critical legal support regardless of detention location.
- Mary's Place (Seattle)coreFall 2024 launch of Community Counsel Project in partnership with Mary's Place family shelter and Amazon. Co-Counsel provides ongoing legal training, in-person clinics, supervision, and community education for asylum, work permits, TPS, and removal defense.
- AmazoncoreBusiness partner in Community Counsel Project with Mary's Place, providing funding and support for legal services to shelter guests and staff.
- K&L GatessupportingSupporting partner in Community Counsel Project with Mary's Place, providing pro bono legal support.
- Perkins CoiesupportingSupporting partner in Community Counsel Project with Mary's Place, providing pro bono legal support.
- Fenwick & WestsupportingSupporting partner in Community Counsel Project with Mary's Place, providing pro bono legal support.
- Davis Wright TremainesupportingSupporting partner in Community Counsel Project with Mary's Place, providing pro bono legal support.
- Wanllan Mi WanllecoreProject partner in Resilient Communities Project, collaborating on community gatherings and support for asylum applicants.
- South Brooklyn SanctuarycoreFaith group partner in Resilient Communities Project, hosting community gatherings and supporting immigrant families.
- National Immigration Habeas Institute (NIHI)coreCo-led first two-day habeas training with Co-Counsel Senior Counsel Andrea Sáenz, training 75 advocates on habeas petitions challenging unconstitutional detentions. Project of Cardozo School of Law and National Immigration Litigation Alliance.
- ClearysupportingLaw firm partner receiving supervision, mentoring, and co-counseling for pro bono immigration cases.
- Fenwick LLPsupportingLaw firm partner receiving supervision, mentoring, and co-counseling for pro bono immigration cases.
- Kirkland LLPsupportingLaw firm partner receiving supervision, mentoring, and co-counseling for pro bono immigration cases.
- Linklater LLPsupportingLaw firm partner receiving supervision, mentoring, and co-counseling for pro bono immigration cases.
- Proskauer & RosesupportingLaw firm partner receiving supervision, mentoring, and co-counseling for pro bono immigration cases.
- Bronx DefenderscoreCommunity-based partner organization receiving legal education, remote and onsite support, and mentoring.
- Immigrant Defense Project (IDP)corePartner organization; Co-Counsel references IDP resources for community education materials.
- Immigrant Justice CorpscoreCommunity-based partner organization providing legal services to immigrants.
- International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)corePartner organization providing legal advocacy for refugees and displaced people.
- Sacred Court SupportcoreInterfaith accompaniment program Co-Counsel is part of leadership team for, providing support at Immigration Court. Trains volunteers and explains legal basis of arrests and detentions.
- MixtecacoreCommunity-based organization partner in Community SIJS Project, collaborating with high school students to prepare pro se SIJS applications.
- MasacoreCommunity-based organization partner in Community SIJS Project Phase 3, preparing SIJS and work permit applications.
- UndocuBlack NetworkcorePartner organization advocating for undocumented Black immigrant communities; at their request, Co-Counsel supports detained people from African countries lacking access to free legal support.
- AfrikanacorePartner organization representing African immigrant communities; at their request, Co-Counsel supports detained people from African countries lacking access to free legal support.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Co-Counsel NYC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Legal Aid Society: NYC-wide legal services organization providing civil, criminal, and immigration representation for low-income residents. Overlaps in immigration legal services for indigent clients but operates across many practice areas at far larger scale.
- Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC): National nonprofit network supporting affiliated immigration legal programs with training, resources, and capacity building. Comparable in immigration training and capacity-building mission, but operates at significantly larger scale and with broader geographic footprint.
- Catholic Charities of New York: Large multi-service organization providing immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, and social services in NYC and statewide. Comparable immigration legal services but operates at significantly larger institutional scale with broader social services portfolio.
Emerging players
- Safe Passage Project: NYC nonprofit providing free immigration legal services to youth, particularly SIJS cases. Directly comparable to Co-Counsel's Community SIJS Project; smaller, more narrowly focused.
Direct peers
- Sanctuary for Families: NYC-based nonprofit providing services for survivors of gender-based violence, including dedicated immigration legal representation. Directly comparable in immigrant-survivor legal services; a current Co-Counsel partner and Senior Counsel Carmen Maria Rey Caldas's prior affiliation.
- International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP): International legal aid organization providing direct representation and advocacy for refugees and displaced people. Comparable in humanitarian immigration focus; a current Co-Counsel partner and a board member's affiliation.
- Immigrant Defense Project (IDP): National immigration legal and policy organization providing impact litigation, training, and resources for immigration advocates. Closely aligned with Co-Counsel's training and community-education focus and a current Co-Counsel partner.
- Make the Road New York: Immigrant-led community organization providing legal services, education, and advocacy for immigrant communities in New York, including immigration legal support — directly comparable in mission, geography, and immigrant-rights focus. Already referenced as a board member's prior affiliation.
- Bronx Defenders: Holistic public defender organization that integrates immigration legal services with criminal defense and civil representation for low-income Bronx residents. Direct peer in community-based immigration defense model and a current Co-Counsel partner.
- New Sanctuary Coalition: NYC interfaith immigrant justice organization providing accompaniment, legal support, and community organizing. Comparable accompaniment and pro se support functions; Project Coordinator Ambien Mitchell's prior affiliation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Co-Counsel NYC social profiles
Digital presenceCo-Counsel NYC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Co-Counsel NYC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Co-Counsel NYC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Co-Counsel NYC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Co-Counsel NYC
What does Co-Counsel NYC do?
Co-Counsel NYC is a nonprofit legal services organization that delivers training, supervision, co-counseling, and community education on immigration and family law matters to community-based organizations, law firms, companies, and directly impacted immigrant communities. Its practice spans removal defense, affirmative relief, post-order defense (including appeals and habeas), family law, and relief for survivors of gender-based violence, delivered through programs such as The Lighthouse Initiative, the Resilient Communities Project, the Community SIJS Project, and Sacred Court Support.
Is Co-Counsel NYC a public or private company?
Co-Counsel NYC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Co-Counsel NYC founded?
Co-Counsel NYC was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Co-Counsel NYC based?
Co-Counsel NYC is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Co-Counsel NYC make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Grants.
Who are Co-Counsel NYC's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Legal Aid Society, Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) and Catholic Charities of New York. Safe Passage Project is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Sanctuary for Families, International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Immigrant Defense Project (IDP), Make the Road New York, Bronx Defenders and New Sanctuary Coalition.
Does Co-Counsel NYC have an API?
No public API is recorded for Co-Counsel NYC.
What industry is Co-Counsel NYC in?
Co-Counsel NYC's product category is Nonprofit Immigration Legal Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAN, Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8111.