Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1984, when leaders in the private bar responded to severe federal government budget cuts to legal services. They committed through VOLS to dramatically increase pro bono service in New York City’s underserved communities. Across decades and through crises such as the 1980s HIV/AIDS epidemic, 2008 financial crisis, and COVID-19 pandemic, VOLS’ legal services have helped to anchor the safety net in our city.
