Referrals
Mediation/Arbitration
Columbia Law School Mediation Clinic
The Columbia Law School Mediation Clinic is a collective of law students who can act as certified mediators for community organizations in federal, state, and municipal courts. It offers free and confidential services for members of the Columbia University community.
Local Community Dispute Resolution Centers
Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) are a network of nonprofits that provide dispute resolution services for individuals, families, and communities.
Various numbers for each county
Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration
The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection offers a list of tips for choosing and engaging with home improvement contractors. This list can be found below and the directions for filing a consumer complaint can be found at the NYS Attorney General’s office website, also linked below.
Various numbers based on region. NYC Office of the NYS Attorney General: 212-416-8300.
Home Improvement tips: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/shopping-services-home-improvement.page
https://ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds/home-improvement-fact-sheet
NYS Attorney General Consumer Complaint instructions: https://ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds/Filing-a-Consumer-Complaint
State-Run Lemon Law Arbitration
Lemon Law Arbitration Program provides an independent, state-run forum to settle disputes of consumers whose new or used motor vehicles do not conform to the terms of the written warranty and the manufacturer is unable to repair the car. This program is run by the New York State Dispute Resolution Association and the New York State Attorney General’s Office.
518-687-2240
American Arbitration Association
The American Arbitration Association offers arbitration, an out-of-court dispute resolution between parties in a contract, and mediation, or an informal negotiation assisted by a third party between parties in a dispute. Their practice areas include commercial, construction, employment, international, labor, government, and consumer claims.
Various phone numbers for different locations.
New York City Regional Office: 212-484-4189
New York Insurance Case Management Center: 917-438-1500
New York Peace Institute
New York Peace Institute is committed to promoting peace in our communities. Whether a dispute involves two people, dozens of people, or several groups, we can help.
Manhattan Location:
111 John Street
Suite 600
New York, NY 10038
Lawyer Referral Services
New York City Bar Legal Referral Service
The New York City Bar Legal Referral Service provides referrals to qualified lawyers and resources. You can call for a free 30 minute initial consultation and discuss your legal question with an attorney referral counselor, who will offer you a referral. The information shared will be confidential to the extent that is possible under the law.
212-626-7373
New York State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
The New York State Bar Lawyer Referral Service provides referrals to qualified lawyers. You can call for a $35 half hour consultation with a New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) counselor. This counselor will refer you to a lawyer in your area or to another service provider that serves your area.
1-800-342-3661
https://www.nyconnects.ny.gov/services/lawyer-referral-service-3666
Other Small Claims Referrals
Attorney General’s office - The Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection
The Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection under the Attorney General’s office mediates complaints from individual consumers in addition to prosecuting businesses and individuals who engage in illegal, deceptive, fraudulent, or misleading trade practices.
1-800-771-7755
Information on how to file a consumer complaint and links to forms
Contact your county bar association if you need a lawyer
General Consumer Complaint Form: https://formsnym.ag.ny.gov/OAGOnlineSubmissionForm/faces/OAGCFCHome;jsessionid=iCRpeGLLuc4nN_2Nq6aWJ8QSW7WaXbWhgs4wtjOtiHjHRMPLL93x!-2084096823
Rent Security Complaint Form: https://formsnym.ag.ny.gov/OAGOnlineSubmissionForm/faces/OAGRSHome
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau serves New York City, Long Island, and the Mid-Hudson region, and it processes consumer complaints and reviews, among others.
Phone: (212) 533-6200
Fax: (212) 477-4912
https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/bbb-serving-metropolitan-new-york
File a complaint: https://www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint
NOLO
For clients with internet access, NOLO is the primary SCAS referral. It’s a website that contains information on everything citizens need to know to handle their own legal issues, whether it’s small claims or others
General Legal Help
New York City Bar Free Legal Services
Free hotline aimed to provide low-income New Yorkers with legal information, advice and referrals if they can’t afford a private attorney or don’t have access to legal representation. The Hotline can provide aid with civil legal issues (ex. matrimonial and family law, housing law, domestic violence, bankruptcy, and debt collection and benefits).
212-626-7383
Hours: 9AM to 5PM on Mondays to Thursdays and 9AM to 1PM on Fridays
OR fill out online intake form: https://cbjcoi.legalserver.org/modules/matter/extern_intake.php?pid=125&h=84ee0d
New York Legal Assistance Group
Provides free legal services to people in need of an attorney in fields like Consumer Protection
212-613-5000
Credit/Debit
Equifax
Equifax provides access to credit reports.
1 888 378-4329
Experian
TransUnion
TransUnion is a major credit reporting service.
1 (800) 916-8800
Clearpoint Counseling Services
Clearpoint offers free budget and credit counseling.
1 (800) 750-2227
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is a bipartisan federal agency that protects consumers and competition by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices through law enforcement, advocacy, and education without unduly burdening legitimate business activity.
1 (877) 382 4357
US Bankruptcy Court
The bankruptcy court oversees bankruptcy cases filed in the counties of Bronx, Dutchess, New York, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Westchester, with concurrent jurisdiction over Greene and Ulster. The court maintains the records for all bankruptcy cases.
1 (212) 805-0136
Collections
New York State Unified Court System
Lists tools you can use to collect money or property from the Debtor if you have won a judgment.
1-800-268-7869
https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/AfterCourt/collectionBasics.shtml
Housing/Landlord-Tenant
NYC Department of Health
You can file a non-emergency complaint through the NYC Department of Health. The Department receives rodent complaints and indoor air quality complaints
Contact through the specific links above to file a specific complaint.
Fair Housing
Describes the rights of tenants and the responsibilities of landlords in preventing housing discrimination. If you believe you have experienced housing discrimination you should file a claim with the New York State Division of Human Rights
Fair Housing Hotline: 1 (844)-862-8703
NY Department of Buildings Inspection Services
You can request an inspection from the NY Department of Buildings if you believe that a building is not in a safe condition. You can request an inspection through DOB NOW: Inspections
(212) 566-5000
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/inspections-violations.page
Finding a Business
Division of Corporations
The objective of the Division of Corporations is to examine, file, and maintain numerous documents that are vital to businesses and corporations. These consist of everything from filing biennial statements to reserving names to incorporation to terminating existence. See the site for specific services provided to different types of businesses depending on their status as foreign or domestic, non-profits, etc.
(518) 473-2492
Moving and Storage
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration aims to keep commercial motor vehicle injuries and fatalities from happening. Services provided by the administration include the issuance of commercial drivers’ licenses, provision of data regarding motor carrier safety, research and development to promote the safety of motor carrier operations and commercial motor vehicles and drivers, and provision of financial support of motor safety programs.
Most concerns: 1-800-832-5660, specific issues: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/contact-us
U.S. Department of Transportation
The U.S. Department of Transportation assists with anything related to travel, mobility, and the general attributes of the transportation system.
1 (202) 366-4000
Utilities
Department of Public Service
The Department of Public Service provides services to protect and assist utilities customers in disputes with utilities including rate cases (everything from low-income programs to retail competition).
1-800-342-337
https://www3.dps.ny.gov/W/PSCWeb.nsf/All/5EFBF7F3F195F44985257687006F3954?OpenDocument
Miscellaneous Referrals
New York ACLU
The ACLU is committed to protecting the basic human rights of every individual in the United States as delineated by the Constitution.
(212) 607-3300
Public Defenders in NY
Public defenders provide legal representation to those who cannot afford their own lawyers.
Visit the website to find your specific county’s telephone number information
Lawyershop
Lawyershop provides you with access to a network of attorneys to help you with any possible concerns you might have in the realms of personal injury law, family law, and criminal law.
Contact form: https://www.lawyershop.com/contact
Resource for Family Issues
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance offers several programs and resources for working families.
Resource for Homelessness
These are several resources for those who have lost or are in danger of losing their housing.