Community Service Society of New York
Martha Koutsogiannopoulos serves as a Staff Attorney in the Legal Department of the Community Service Society of New York, specializing in client-centered advocacy and policy reform for individuals affected by the criminal legal system since March 2022. Previously, Koutsogiannopoulos worked as a public defender at Queens Defenders from September 2014 to March 2022, providing legal representation to a diverse population in Queens. Koutsogiannopoulos also gained experience through various legal internships, including roles at the Legal Aid Society, The Bronx Defenders, and the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana. Koutsogiannopoulos holds a Juris Doctor degree from the City University of New York School of Law and a Master of Science in Education from The City College of New York, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University at Albany.
Community Service Society of New York
A strong New York is an equitable New York. Every New Yorker, across income levels, race and ethnicity, and background, shares similar goals. We all want economic well-being, the ability to exercise our rights, and to live with dignity. The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion an equitable city and state. We center the voices and experiences of communities of color and people facing economic insecurity, striving to create a more secure future. Through a strategic combination of data-driven research, direct services, and people-driven advocacy, we ensure New Yorkers have the power to create change in their lives and the life of our city and state. Our programs, policy analysis, legal advocacy, and campaigns expand access to health care, safe and affordable housing, employment opportunities, consumer debt assistance, and more—making a tangible difference in the lives of millions. We work with a broad coalition of New Yorkers—from community members, activists, and volunteers to government officials and grassroots organizations—to fight for what matters most, especially to those striving to make ends meet. Our collective victories, like stronger tenant protections, paid sick and family leave for working New Yorkers, and one of the strongest “ban the box” laws in the nation, pave the way for lasting change. We won’t stop until New York is a place where those most impacted by injustice have a fair chance to not only survive, but thrive. Join us in powering a more equitable New York by visiting cssny.org.