SERVING WESTERN NEW YORK SINCE 1912. |
Access to justice - for everyone. |
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Letter from the Chief Executive Officer |
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| I am honored and humbled to step into the role of CEO and to serve this incredible organization and community.
This work has always been about people; about the lives we touch, the partnerships we build, and the future we shape together.
I step into this position with deep respect for the foundation that has been laid and with a strong commitment to building on that legacy. Moving forward, my focus will be on strengthening our impact, deepening our connections within the community, and ensuring we continue to grow in ways that reflect our mission and shared values.
I am grateful for the trust placed in me and excited for what we will accomplish together. Thank you for your continued support and for being such an important part of our work. With appreciation,
Nadine Patterson
Chief Executive Officer
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Our 2025 Annual Report is Here |
Every case opened, every court date attended, every client served, it all adds up. Behind every number is someone who needed help and found it. This year's Annual Report tells the full story of what our community made possible in 2025. |
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35,000
Clients Served
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2,700
Children Represented
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$16.1 M
Financial Benefits Recovered for Low Income Western New Yorkers
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Marques Richardson Nominated for Outstanding Practicum Educator |
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We’re proud to share that Marques Richardson has been nominated for the Outstanding Practicum Educator Award (2025–2026) at the University of Buffalo School of Social Work.
This nomination, submitted by student Nick Kennison, highlights the impact Marques has had as a Social Work Supervisor at Legal Aid. In his nomination, Nick describes how Marques played an instrumental role in helping him grow both professionally and personally.
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"Marques has been an excellent role model in demonstrating the jobs and responsibilities of a social worker in a legal capacity, and has exemplified the six core pillars of social work (service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence) in his interactions with interns, staff, and clients alike. [...] With my time at Legal Aid, I feel that I have gained a well-rounded perspective and experience in multiple domains of social work, and Marques has been a big part of that. I am extremely fortunate and grateful for the opportunity to intern with Legal Aid, and to learn under Marques. If I could, I would stay interning here forever! My time at Legal Aid interning under Marques has had a tremendous impact on me, as a person and as a future social worker. It is for these reasons that I feel Marques Richardson is deserving of the Outstanding Educator Award.
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— Nick Kennison
This nomination reflects Marques’s dedication to supporting and guiding future social workers.
Congratulations, Marques!
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Name Changes in New York State |
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In New York, you have the right to legally change your name by filing a petition with the court in the county where you live, and you may qualify for a fee waiver if you cannot afford the filing costs.
Most adult name change requests do not require a court appearance, and you can also request a change to your sex designation without providing a reason. While name change records are usually public, you have the right to ask the court to seal your case if you have safety concerns. Judges can only deny a request for specific legal reasons, such as fraud or evading debts.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. If you are facing a name change issue, contact us. Representation may be available at no cost.
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Protecting the Rights of Domestic Abuse Survivors in NY
Congratulations to Shawn on his recent victory in People v Charles Jones. The Fourth Department vacated the sentence and remitted to Erie County Court for further proceedings. In line with the recent N.H. decision at the Court of Appeals, the Court found that the right to a Penal Law § 60.12 hearing cannot be waived with an appeal waiver. A Penal Law § 60.12 hearing asks for alternative sentencing where the client can demonstrate that domestic violence played a role in the alleged offense. The Jones majority found that 60.12 hearings cannot be waived as a condition of the plea because 60.12 was enacted to “mitigate a systemic failure of the criminal legal system, which led to unduly harsh sentencing of domestic violence survivors.”
Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo’s Kerry Conner authored an amicus brief in support of N.H. in the Court of Appeals. The brief was joined by the following organizations: Albany County Office of the Public Defender, Allegany County Public Defender, Appellate Advocates, Broome County Public Defender’s Office, Center for Appellate Litigation, Chief Defenders Association of New York, Clinton County Public Defender’s Office, Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau County, Criminal Defense & Advocacy Clinic at Brooklyn Law School, Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic at the University at Buffalo School of Law, Dutchess County Public Defender, Erie County Bar Association’s Erie County Assigned Counsel Program, Hiscock Legal Aid Society, Livingston County Public Defender’s Office, Monroe County Assigned Counsel Program, Monroe County Conflict Defender, Montgomery County Public Defender, Nassau County Legal Aid Society, New York County Defender Services, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, Niagara County Public Defender, New York State Defenders Association, Office of the Appellate Defender, Office of the Steuben County Public Defender, Onondaga County Bar Association Assigned Counsel Program, Inc., Ontario County Conflict Defender & Assigned Counsel Plan, Ontario County Public Defender’s Office, Oswego County Public Defender’s Office, Saratoga County Conflict Defender’s Office, Suffolk County Legal Aid Society, The Bronx Defenders, The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County, Tompkins County Assigned Counsel Program, Ulster County Public Defender, Wayne County Public Defender, Wyoming County Public Defender’s Office.
→ Precedent established: Survivors retain the ability to request sentencing relief even after pleading guilty.
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Thinking about U.S. citizenship or need immigration help? Stop by our Immigration Walk‑In Event from 10 AM-2 PM at the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo (enter on the Cathedral St. side, first floor). Free one‑on‑one attorney consultations will be available, along with citizenship information and eligibility screenings for representation. No appointment needed. |
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Is your landlord refusing to make needed repairs, or are you unsure about your rights as a tenant? Join the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo’s free walk‑in clinic to learn about New York tenant rights, including what you can do when a landlord fails to address habitability and repair issues. This clinic is free and open to the public. This program is made possible with support from The New York Bar Foundation. |
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Give 716 is a powerful 24‑hour online giving event that supports local nonprofits making a difference across Western New York. Join the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo during Give 716 to help expand access to critical legal services for our community. Your gift helps ensure that vulnerable neighbors receive the advocacy and representation they need. Every donation, big or small, makes an impact and moves us closer to equal justice for all in Buffalo. |
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Help Us Keep Justice Within Reach. |
Legal help shouldn't be a privilege. When you give to the Legal Aid Bureau, you put an experienced attorney in the corner of someone who has nowhere else to turn. |
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Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. |
290 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 853-9555 www.legalaidbuffalo.org
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