The People Behind the Mission – Tiffanye

We caught up with Build Up Justice NYC board member Tiffanye Threadcraft! Tiffanye, who worked with us as an extern earlier in her career, joined the board in 2022. As an attorney at Akin, her work covers corporate and finance law, technology, and more. We talked with her about why she decided to join the board and what makes BUJNYC special! Read her thoughts in our latest Q&A:

Q: Why did you want to join the Build Up Justice NYC board?

Tiffanye: I externed for BUJNYC when I was a junior lawyer (and it had another name!) and learned so much about client service and the practice of law that it made me an even bigger fan of the legal services bar knowing how serious the attorneys take giving their clients the best representation possible without regard to client resources. So, when the opportunity arose to join the board, I jumped at the chance to further support this organization whose attorneys and staff I respect so much.

Q: Is there a particular case or client success story that sticks out in your memory from a BUJNYC staff member?

Tiffanye: Each year I marvel at the stories of our tenacious client honorees during our annual Together for Justice event, so it’s hard to narrow it down to one! That said, the housing (a basic human need) –related success stories always remind me of the crucial nature of the work, because what about those families in need who we aren’t able to assist in this way; where do they turn?

Q: How does it feel watching the organization grow in recent years?

Tiffanye: Watching BUJNYC’s profile grow in client and other stakeholder minds, which itself has led to a growth in size and impact of the organization, has made me feel like the word is getting out on one of the city’s best kept secrets. I feel proud to have contributed to this growth in my own small way.

Q: Why are civil legal service organizations like BUJNYC so important in NYC?

Tiffanye: Criminal right to counsel is foundational to our democracy. Though representation by competent counsel can be crucial in securing many basic needs (especially in a city like New York), there is not a federal right to state-funded civil counsel. Legal services organizations like BUJNYC stand in the gap, so they are very important in contributing to the wellbeing of all NYC citizens.

Q: What does “building justice” mean to you?

Tiffanye: “Building Justice” to me means working with fellow community members to ensure we all have access to the tools of justice (competent counsel, fair dealings and fair proceedings, etc); and it is a collective effort.

Q: How can organizations like ours maintain stability for New Yorkers as we continue to see instability in federal funding?

Tiffanye: By diversifying our funding sources and other champions to include a broader array of stakeholders who benefit from an equitable NY legal system (and we all benefit)!