Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)

Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)

99 Hudson Street,

12th Floor
New York, New York 10013
Phone: 212 966 5932
Fax: 212 966 4303
Email: info@aaldef.org



The Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund was created in 1974 by attorneys, activists, and members of the community to use the legal and educational systems to attack myriad problems suffered by the Asian-American community who did not have access to legal assistance. Thus, the AALDEF offers extensive bilingual counseling. It relies on a four-person staff, student interns, and several volunteers. Over 100 student interns have served, and many now work with the AALDEF as cooperating attorneys.

The AALDEF conducts impact litigation and legal advocacy, community education, and law student training in the areas of immigration, anti-Asian violence, employment and labor rights, land use and housing, voting rights, and Japanese-American redress. Some of the AALDEF's most important cases include: A landmark ruling from the New York Court of Appeals which blocked construction of a luxury condominium in Chinatown. This ruling requires government agencies to consider whether proposed development will displace low-income residents.

A court award of $7,200 to a Korean garment worker who was paid less than minimum wage and denied overtime compensation.

An important series of amicus briefs filed in the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Japanese Americans seeking damages for their incarceration during World War II. This brief was filed with Messrs. Korematsu, Hirabayashi, and Yasi in U.S. v. Hohri (1987).

In addition to litigation, the AALDEF comments on proposed legislation affecting Asian Americans. Most recently, it has testified before legislative committees in opposition to bills that restrict Asian immigration, in support of Japanese-American redress and of national and state measures to curb rising violence against Asian Americans.

It has also published 20 legal rights pamphlets in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English concerning the Immigration Reform and Contract Act of 1986, employment and housing rights, and a variety of other topics. And, although its docket is largely limited to impact litigation, the AALDEF has set up a network of pro bono attorneys who staff free clinics in the AALDEF office and community agencies.