named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Appeals Program
Represents individuals appealing criminal convictions, SORA adjudications, and Family Court judgments
Civil Program
Provides legal representation in divorce, domestic violence, landlord/tenant disputes, foreclosure, and unemployment insurance benefit matters
Extradition Program
Represents individuals facing extradition to another state to answer criminal charges in Onondaga County Court
Family Court Program
Represents adults in Onondaga County Family Court in mandated cases where state law requires counsel for those who cannot afford an attorney
Immigration Program
Provides legal assistance in naturalization, family reunification, asylum, adjustment of status, special immigrant juvenile status, VAWA cases, and deportation defense across 18 counties in New York State
Misdemeanor Defense Program
Provided complete criminal defense services for non-felony cases in Syracuse City Court from 1974 to 2004
Parole Program
Provides legal representation to parolees in parole revocation proceedings brought by the NYS Division of Parole
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Pro Bono Legal Representation and Support 2 activities
- Provide civil legal assistance in family, housing, and public benefits mattersOffers free legal representation and support to low-income individuals and families in civil legal issues including housing disputes, domestic violence, divorce, landlord/tenant cases, foreclosure, unemployment insurance benefits, consumer issues, and access to public benefits and health care in Onondaga County and surrounding areas.
- Provide criminal defense and post-conviction legal representationProvides complete legal defense to low-income individuals charged with misdemeanors in Syracuse City Court and represents clients in parole revocation hearings and extradition defense. Also administers an Appeals Program to handle appeals from criminal convictions and SORA adjudications.
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Tenant Legal Advocacy & Support Services 1 activity
- Conduct landlord-tenant legal intake and case processingConducts on-site intake and prescreening for tenants at Syracuse City Court to determine eligibility for free legal representation in landlord-tenant cases. Processes new client intakes, retrieves court documents, conducts follow-up calls, and drafts closing letters for resolved cases.
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Immigration Legal Services 1 activity
- Provide immigration legal servicesDelivers comprehensive immigration legal representation including asylum applications, naturalization, adjustment of status, family reunification, deportation and removal defense, VAWA cases, employment authorization, travel documents, and TPS. Conducts off-site legal clinics, Know Your Rights presentations, and community education sessions in collaboration with The Center in Utica.
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Family and Juvenile Legal Defense 1 activity
- Represent clients in Family Court proceedingsProvides court-mandated legal representation to low-income adults in Onondaga County Family Court, including cases involving domestic violence, orders of protection, custody, and Child Protective Services investigations. Also operates a pre-petition program to support clients during CPS investigations and facilitates service referrals.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$11.41M
Contributions & grants$11.38M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$21K0%
Other revenue$9K
expenses
Total expenses$11.17M
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$9.16M
Grants paid out$809K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.77M
Cash$217K
Investments$502K
Liabilities$2.97M
Net assets$2.80M
Liquid reserves0.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +26.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEWAN GREGORY W | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PRESID | 40 | $189K |
| TALEV NICOLE | DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $134K |
| RACCIATTI JENNIFER | CONTROLLER | 40 | $128K |
| NAPIER GABRIEL | IT MANAGER | 40 | $120K |
| ROTHSCHILD PHILIP | SUPERVISING ATTORNEY | 40 | $117K |
| MCHENRY AMANDA | SUPERVISING ATTORNEY | 40 | $117K |
board members · 19
- AXENFELD KAITLYN — TREASURER
- BERNARD CAMERON T — CHAIR
- BROWN CAROLYN — SECRETARY
- CAMPBELL ALYSSA — DIRECTOR
- D'AGOSTINO MARY — DIRECTOR
- EYLE MAXIMILIAN — DIRECTOR
- FELLOWS JONATHAN B — DIRECTOR
- HARDING MARGARET — DIRECTOR
- JOHNSON RACHEL — DIRECTOR
- KIRCHNER CONOR — VICE CHAIR
- LYNN-FORD PATRICIA A — DIRECTOR
- MILNER ALIZA — DIRECTOR
- NEDZA KIMBERLY — DIRECTOR
- NICOLLI JR RJ — DIRECTOR
- OSBORNE NICOLE — DIRECTOR
- POWERS JOHN — DIRECTOR
- TAKEDA JUNKO — DIRECTOR
- THOMAS MEGAN — DIRECTOR
- VELLANO F PAUL — DIRECTOR
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees Partner — Collaborates at "The Center" in Utica to provide direct immigration legal representation and community education.
- NYS Division of Parole Partner — Collaborates in providing legal representation to parolees in revocation proceedings.
- New York State Liberty Defense Project Government — Primary supporter enabling the provision of immigration legal services across three regions of New York State.
- New York State Office for New Americans Government — Primary supporter enabling the provision of immigration legal services across three regions of New York State.
- New York State Treasury Government — Cited in economic impact statement regarding return on investment in civil legal services.
- Onondaga County Government — Contracts with the organization to provide legal representation in Family Court, parole revocation, and extradition cases.
- Onondaga County Bar Association Partner — Contracted to administer the first Assigned Counsel Program.
- Onondaga County Family Court Government — Provides mandated legal representation to adults in Family Court proceedings.
- Recovery Center in Syracuse Partner — Collaborates with the recovery center to provide information on the pre-petition program for clients facing CPS investigations.
- Rutgers Partner — Anna Petrie attended night school at Rutgers to become an immigration attorney, indicating a professional development relationship.
- Syracuse City Court Partner — Site for daily intake and legal screening of tenants facing landlord-tenant proceedings.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Advancing Equal Justice Through High-Quality Legal Assistancemethodology: equal_justice_accessBy delivering high-quality legal representation to low-income individuals, the organization advances equal justice under the law because access to competent legal aid levels the playing field in civil and immigration systems that otherwise disadvantage vulnerable populations.
- Client-Centered Legal Representationmethodology: client_centered_representationBy prioritizing sustained personal engagement and individualized legal work, the organization improves client trust and outcomes because tailored support addresses the unique complexities of each case, particularly in high-stakes contexts like immigration and family court.
- Legal Aid as a Pathway to Basic Needs and Stabilitymethodology: legal_aid_for_basic_needsBy focusing legal services on civil matters tied to survival—such as housing, family court, public benefits, and health care—the organization removes systemic barriers to basic needs, because legal intervention in these areas directly improves safety, stability, and access for low-income individuals.