Our Process

How we work

Please review the kinds of legal matters we handle and our eligibility requirements.

If you believe you qualify for our services and your case is in Family/Matrimonial Law,

If you believe you qualify for services and your case is in Immigration, 

We provide immigration services to survivors of gender-based violence. We conduct intakes at the New York City Family Justice Centers, which are located in all five boroughs. You can find out where the Family Justice Center in your borough is here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/ocdv/programs/family-justice-centers.page

How we can help:

Family/ Matrimonial Cases:

If you qualify for our services based on that intake, you will speak to one of the staff attorneys at Her Justice. The Her Justice attorney will provide you with legal advice and consultation. If the attorney believes we can match you with a volunteer attorney from one of our partner firms, they will put you on the waitlist.

Immigration Cases: 

At the Family Justice Centers, we will conduct an intake and provide you with a legal consultation and advice. If the Her Justice attorney believes we can match you with a volunteer attorney from one of our partner firms, they will put you on a waitlist.

All cases:

Her Justice will attempt to find a volunteer attorney for as many clients as possible. While you are on the waitlist, Her Justice will make every effort to match you with a volunteer attorney.  Please understand that we can never guarantee that we will find a volunteer attorney for you. This is because there are many more people seeking free legal services than volunteer attorneys available to represent people for free.

If we are able to place your case with a volunteer attorney, we will contact you with the name of the firm where the attorney works.  The volunteer attorney will then contact you to set up an appointment for you to meet in the law firm’s office.

If Her Justice is unable to provide you with an attorney:

We will provide you with legal advice and consultation. We will equip you with knowledge of the law and your rights under the law. In this process you can:

• learn about your legal rights and how the law applies to your case and unique situation
• have your questions answered by an experienced staff attorney
• receive detailed information about court procedures

Contact Her Justice by telephone or in person to arrange for an interview:

• We try to give a volunteer lawyer to all women who ask for direct representation. Unfortunately, there are not enough volunteer attorneys to meet the tremendous need. Because of limited resources, we give priority to women who have especially complex cases and who we believe could not obtain the legal protections they seek without a lawyer. Please help us have enough time to find a pro bono attorney for you as it can take anywhere from two weeks to six months or more to place your case with a volunteer.
• With Her Justice’s help and guidance, many women can successfully represent themselves in court on their own. For women who have very straight-forward cases, we provide free legal advice, information and help preparing court documents.
• When we identify a volunteer attorney for you, a staff member from Her Justice will contact you to provide the attorney’s name and the name of their law firm. The attorney will then contact you directly to set up an appointment for you to meet in their office.

Represent Yourself or Pro Se services (without an attorney):

Sometimes a woman’s situation is so immediate that there isn’t enough time to find a volunteer lawyer to take her case. Our pro se services are designed to provide you with the advice and information you need to proceed successfully on your own in court.

When you contact Her Justice for free legal advice, you will:

• Learn about your legal rights and how the law applies to your case and unique situation
• Have your questions answered by an experienced staff attorney
• Receive detailed information about court procedures and step-by-step instructions on how to represent yourself in court
• Learn what legal papers you will need to file with the court, receive detailed instructions on the correct way to file your papers, and learn about important deadlines you may need to meet
• Receive additional informational materials that apply to your case
• Obtain referrals to legal or social service agencies and community organizations that might be able to help you

Legal Information Guides

See our guides for when you need to appear in Family or Supreme Court without an attorney that cover a wide range of family law and divorce issues. They are designed to help you take the first steps to obtain important legal protections for you and your family. View them here.

Domestic Violence

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive or threatening behavior by one person against an intimate partner or family member. This behavior is used to gain power and control over the victim.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone.

Partners can be married or not married, living together, separated, or dating. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of age, income, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender.

Recognize signs of abuse:

Abusive partners use many tactics to enforce control and maintain power in a relationship. These can include:

• physical violence
• sexual violence
• threats
• intimidation
• emotional abuse
• economic deprivation

Abuse includes any behaviors that

• frighten
• intimidate
• terrorize
• manipulate
• hurt
• humiliate
• blame
• injure or wound someone.

Get help:

If you are being abused, talk to someone who can help. A domestic violence advocate can help you take the first steps to develop a safety plan to protect you and your family. Planning for your safety is an important process. It is important that you do this whether you are staying in the relationship or leaving it. It’s even important to do this if you have already left the relationship.

If you are in immediate danger Call 911

NYC Domestic Violence Hotline 1.800.621.HOPE (4673)

National Domestic Violence hotline 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)