Q: You’ve described civil legal services as a “lifeline” for vulnerable communities—why is restoring full funding for the IOLA Fund so critical right now?
Civil legal services are a lifeline because access to them can so easily be a make-or-break for New Yorkers facing difficult circumstances. It’s no secret that we’re seeing unprecedented pressures on working families with rising housing costs and economic uncertainty. We have to make sure that the IOLA fund is fully funded to protect people facing eviction, domestic violence, and immigration uncertainty. These people deserve legal representation and shouldn’t be forced to face our complex legal system on their own. Withdrawing support from them is tantamount to saying only those in fortunate conditions deserve representation.
Q: You’re sponsoring legislation (A.1194) to reaffirm the IOLA Fund’s integrity as a fiduciary fund—what issue is this bill addressing, and how would it improve funding stability?
The issue we are addressing is the disconnect between how the IOLA Fund is structured and how it is currently treated in the budget process. IOLA is generated from interest on attorney trust accounts and is dedicated exclusively to civil legal services. But because the Assembly and the State Senate still need to approve it each year, funding levels can fluctuate. A.1194 would help ensure that these resources are consistently available, reducing the risk of funding gaps and allowing organizations to plan and deliver services without disruption.
Q: The Governor’s Executive Budget proposed $77.5 million for IOLA, compared to the $102.5 million included in one-house proposals—what would that gap mean for legal services providers and the people they serve?
That gap would have definite consequences. The loss of over 20 million dollars would result in legal service providers scaling back operations. This, in turn, would limit the number of cases that they could take at a time when demand is increasing. This reduction would mean fewer tenants with representation in housing court, fewer survivors of domestic violence receiving legal support, and fewer immigrant families having a legal advocate fighting for their status. That gap would leave thousands of New Yorkers without the legal support that they need to flourish.
Q: IOLA funds come from interest on attorney trust accounts rather than taxpayer dollars—why is that distinction important when advocating for full funding?
That distinction isn’t just important; it’s the crux of the entire conversation. This is not a traditional state-funded program competing for taxpayer resources. These funds are generated from interest on attorney trust accounts. If that interest wasn’t gathered like this, it would be useless pennies. Instead, we pool these dregs to create this fund to ensure that everyone has representation. The state’s role is to keep these funds fully and reliably available for their intended purpose.
Q: With IOLA-funded organizations handling hundreds of thousands of legal matters each year, how does this funding translate into real-world impacts on housing, immigration, and family stability for New Yorkers?
This funding translates directly into support for New Yorkers across the state. It means tenants can avoid eviction, families can remain safe by accessing orders of protection, and immigrants can be guided through an incredibly complex legal system as they seek citizenship. It can mean the difference between keeping one’s job and losing it, between being housed and being homeless, or between a family being torn apart and remaining together. Put simply, this bill is about ensuring that every person has a fair chance and access to the quality legal representation that they deserve.
