The Door's Legal Services Center was established in 1992 to address the lack of free legal assistance for youth in New York City.
The Center provides a broad range of counsel and advocacy services in civil matters to young people between the ages of 12 and 21. The Center does not handle criminal or juvenile delinquency matters.
Our practice reflects the diverse backgrounds and needs of our clients. However, most of our cases involve:
- the rights of youth in foster care, including pregnant and parenting youth
- options for young people who are homeless and/or living independently
- immigration, including the representation of children who are in deportation proceedings
- access to public benefits for teen parents and young people
- family law issues such as paternity, child support, domestic violence, child custody and visitation rights
In addition to providing legal counsel and representation, the Legal Services Center conducts legal education workshops at The Door and other agencies throughout New York City. The Center is an invaluable resource for other community-based organizations that work on youth-related issues, and responds to an average of ten requests for technical assistance each week.
The Legal Services Center partners with private law firms to meet our clients’ needs. Current partners include Chadbourne & Parke LLP and Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP.
Click here for information on how to make an appointment.
Click here to learn about our recent victories.
Click here to learn about the Human Trafficking Project.
Pamphlets from The Door’s Legal Services Center:
- A Young Person’s Guide to Public Assistance Eligibility
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Greencards for Youth in Foster Care or Guardianships
- Social Security Survivors Benefits
- Child Support . . . What You Should Know
- Naturalization Services in NYC
