Shearman & Sterling announced that it is helping New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) enhance its NY COVID-19 Legal Resource Hotline. Given the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on communities of color and immigrant communities with diverse language needs, the firm is tapping its global legal team to help with translations to various languages, including Spanish, Russian and Mandarin. The firm will also help NYLAG with offering non-traditional call back times for callers who are working or may have other schedule restrictions.

“As the pandemic continues to inflict hardships on people around the world, and particularly in densely populated cities like New York, Shearman & Sterling has dedicated pro bono legal resources and support to those who need it most. It is no surprise that low-income individuals are disproportionately impacted by the current crisis and we are proud to partner with organizations such as the New York Legal Assistance Group to offer clients critical legal advice they need to stay afloat,” said Saralyn Cohen, Pro Bono Counsel and Director at Shearman & Sterling.

Those in need of free legal support due to the coronavirus can call the NY COVID-19 Legal Resource Hotline at 1-929-356-9582 from Monday- Friday from 7am-1pm ET.

NYLAG's COVID-19 hotline can offer advice on topics such as the following:

• Advanced Planning (Standby Guardianship, Power of Attorney, Healthcare Proxy, Wills)
• Consumer Debt (Debt Collection, Wage Garnishment)
• Employees' Rights (Paid Leave, FMLA, Working Conditions)
• Housing (Eviction, Rent Arrears, Foreclosure, Mortgage Relief Options)
• Unemployment Benefits
• Public Benefits
• Special Education issues (K-12)
• Stimulus Payment questions

The hotline launched in April 2020 and to date has helped more than 1,500 NYC residents impacted by COVID-19 get answers to their legal questions. For more information on the NY COVID-19 Legal Resource Hotline visit nylag.org/hotline.

Read NYLAG’s announcement about our partnership.