EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  1. The Gaping Lack of Access to Legal Services by the Vast Majority of Americans in Civil Matters
Low to middle-income New Yorkers, such as an individual or family earning $65,000, have limited to no access to effective legal representation in civil matters. If they do not meet the eligibility requirements of the few publicly funded direct legal services organizations (e.g., Legal Aid Society, Legal Services NYC), they are essentially on their own.