Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Queens Law Associates Not-For-Profit Corporation

EIN 27-0364845 · Forest Hills, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported a significant diversion of its assets during the year.
  • It reported an excess benefit transaction with an insider.
  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 511 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

QUEENS LAW ASSOCIATES PROVIDE CRIMINAL DEFENSE SERVICES TO INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS WITHIN QUEENS COUNTY. THE SOLE SOURCE OF REVENUE IS FROM ITS LAW PRACTICE THAT IS DERIVED FROM CONTRACTS WITH THE STATE AND CITY OF NEW YORK.

Income
$31.9 million
Spending
$32.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
282
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$583,908, e.d. & ceo (until 06/10/2025)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 511 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $26.3 million spent. CRIMINAL DEFENSE SERVICE:PROVIDE CRIMINAL DEFENSE SERVICES TO INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS WITHIN QUEENS COUNTY. THE SOLE SOURCE OF REVENUE IS FROM ITS LAW PRACTICE THAT IS DERIVED FROM CONTRACTS WITH THE STATE AND CITY OF NEW YORK. THE AGENCY'S MISSION IS TO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE EVERY DAY FOR EVERY CLIENT. SINCE OUR FOUNDING IN 1996, THE AGENCY HAS SERVED MORE THAN 450,000 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN MAJOR TRIALS AND HOMICIDES, FAMILY COURT ISSUES INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TREATMENT COURT CASES, YOUTH FELONIES, AND IMMIGRATION COURT. IN 2020 THE AGENCY LAUNCHED ROCKAWAY COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER WHICH PROVIDES A COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVE TO CRIMINAL COURT FOR YOUTH OFFENDERS IN THE ROCKAWAY WHO HAVE COMMITTED NON-VIOLENT FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS. QUEENS DEFENDERS CREATED THE RCJC ON THE PREMISE OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICETHAT YOUNG OFFENDERS DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE, AND THAT WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF SUPPORT, THEY CAN GO ON TO LIVE PRODUCTIVE, FULFILLING LIVES. RCJC IS A PARTNERSHIP AMONG QUEENS DEFENDERS, LOCAL NYPD PRECINCTS, AND THE QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
  2. $1.4 million spent. ANTI-EVICTION REPRESENTATION: IN JULY 2024 QUEENS DEFENDERS BEGAN PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES IN QUEENS HOUSING COURT THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES/ OFFICE OF CIVIL JUSTICE. QUEENS DEFENDERS PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO 1,500 INDIVIDUALS FACING EVICTION PROCEEDINGS. IN ADDITION TO HOUSING ATTORNEYS, CLIENTS ARE PAIRED WITH A HOUSING NAVIGATOR TO HELP THEM FIND STABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND RELIEVE CASELOADS IN HOUSING COURT.
  3. $285,496 spent. YOUTH PROGRAM SERVICE: IN 2013 THE AGENCY LAUNCHED YOUTH DIVERSION PROGRAMS TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP CRITICAL LIFE SKILLS, IMPROVE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, AND ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL LIVES. OUR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS INCLUDE YOUTH JUSTICE COURT, YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM, AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AT THE ROCKAWAYS & JAMAICA JUSTICE CENTERS, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM ("DOVE") FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. QUEENS DEFENDERS FOOD PANTRY LAUNCHED IN THE SPRING OF 2020 IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, QUEENS DEFENDERS DISTRIBUTES OVER 25,000 BOXES OF FOOD ANNUALLY TO RESIDENTS OF THE ROCKAWAYS AND OTHER SOUTHEAST QUEENS COMMUNITIES. SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OUR FOOD PANTRY IN 2020, QUEENS DEFENDERS HAS PROVIDED HEALTHY AND FRESH FOOD TO OVER 140,000 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE BOROUGH. IN ADDITION TO OUR ON-SITE FOOD PANTRY AND DELIVERIES, QUEENS DEFENDERS HOLDS "POP-UP" FOOD PANTRY AND SPECIAL HOLIDAY EVENTS EVENTS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING THIS PROGRAM AND ENSURING OUR BOROUGH'S MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.