Do you know where to go if you’re dealing with problems at work, such as unpaid wages, discrimination, harassment, or being unfairly fired? In New York City, several places provide free or low-cost legal help with employment and labor issues.
These services are available to all New Yorkers — including immigrants, regardless of immigration status — and these lawyers can guide you through filing complaints, negotiating with employers, or defending your rights in court or administrative hearings.
Before you reach out to a lawyer
Always be truthful about your immigration status. Many legal aid organizations offer assistance regardless of status, particularly for issues like wage claims or discrimination.
- Check your eligibility first as some organizations prioritize low-income workers, certain ZIP codes, or specific legal issues.
- Call early during intake hours. Many programs have limited staff and special hours for new cases.
- Be patient but persistent as phone lines are often busy. If you don’t get through, try again, sometimes it takes multiple calls.
- Ask what kind of help they provide. Some groups only give advice or brief consultations; others may represent you in hearings or lawsuits. Knowing this up front sets expectations.
When you have an appointment with an immigration lawyer, remember to bring all documents that prove your case. Explain your situation to your lawyer, focusing on what happened, when, and what you did about it.
Useful items to bring to your appointment include:
- Employment contract or offer letters
- Paystubs, time sheets, wage statements
- Any written communications with employer (emails, warnings)
- Termination notices, disciplinary notices
- Any correspondence about leave, accommodation, or benefits
- Documentation of your attempts to resolve issues (letters, HR complaints)
Also Read: What to Expect When You Call An Immigration Attorney
The Legal Aid Society
The Legal Aid Society Employment Law Unit offers advice and representation to workers in cases concerning workplace discrimination, unpaid wages or overtime, labor trafficking, unemployment insurance, and family, medical, or sick leave. Through the Worker Justice Project, they fight for workers who have faced discrimination because of their arrest or conviction records.
- How to get in touch: Call (888) 663-6880. They are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New York Legal Assistance Group Employment Law Project
This unit provides free legal advice and representation for cases related to discrimination, wage and hour disputes, as well as Family and Medical Leave Act. Lawyers from this unit represent low-wage and immigrant workers who face exploitative labor practices, discrimination, and harassment.
- How to get in touch: Call (212) 613-5000. They are available Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. When calling, choose the option for a new case intake, then Employment Law Project, and leave a voice message.
Legal Services NYC
Legal Services NYC offers complimentary legal assistance to low-income workers, covering advice, referrals, and representation. Their services address job loss, unemployment benefits, unpaid wages and overtime, employment discrimination, medical and family leave, and licensing problems.
They also support individuals facing employment challenges due to their arrest history or an indicated report with the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR).
- How to get in touch: Reach them by calling (917) 661-4500, Monday through Friday, between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Mobilization for Justice
Mobilization for Justice offers free legal assistance to workers, addressing issues such as unpaid wages, minimum wage and overtime violations, unemployment insurance, and job discrimination. They also help individuals gain or retain employment, particularly if they or a family member are ill or if they have a criminal record.
- How to get in touch: Call (212) 417-3838 on Tuesdays, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
You can also reach them around the city as the Mobilization for Justice meets with clients at community-based organizations in neighborhoods throughout NYC.
Catholic Migration Services
Their Employment Unit offers legal counsel and representation to low-wage workers regarding various workplace issues, including workplace crimes that may qualify for T and U Visas.
To qualify for their services, workers must either reside in New York City or have a workplace dispute that originated from a job within New York City.
- How to get in touch: To request assistance, call (877) 525-2267 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email them at info@catholicmigration.org.
Make The Road NYC
This organization has an Employment & Workplace Justice unit where they offer legal assistance with recovery of unpaid wages, accessing workers compensation benefits, addressing employment discrimination, and more.
- How to get in touch: You can visit one of their neighborhood community centers or call the numbers listed below.
White Plains
(914) 948-8466
46 Waller Avenue, Westchester
Jackson Heights
(718) 565-8500
104-19 Roosevelt Avenue, Queens
Bushwick
(718) 418-7690
301 Grove Street, Brooklyn
Worker Justice Center of New York
Outside of NYC? The Worker Justice Center offers free legal assistance to individuals and groups across New York state focusing on issues impacting the rights of agricultural and other low-wage workers.
- How to get in touch: Call 1-800-724-7020 or email them at info@wjcny.org.
You can also go to their offices which are normally open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. However, their staff is working a hybrid schedule, so it’s best to call in advance.
Western New York
(585) 325-3050
1187 Culver Road
Rochester, NY
Hudson Valley
(845) 331-6615
9 Main Street
Kingston, NY
Lower Hudson Valley
(845) 331-6615
245 Saw Mill River Road, Suite 106
Hawthorne, NY
Also Read: Wage Theft: What to Know If You Think Your Wages Are Stolen
