Westchester County NY Government

Q: Where can I get an attorney to represent me?
A: The Westchester County Attorney’s Office cannot be hired to represent individuals generally, but is only authorized by law to represent the County of Westchester and, under some circumstances, the county’s officers and employees. Below are a few such organizations and entities that can help a person find an attorney to represent them.

For civil matters:
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
90 Maple Avenue
White Plains, N.Y. 10601
Tel: (914) 949-1305

For criminal matters:
Legal Aid Society of Westchester County
1 North Broadway, 9th Floor,
White Plains, N.Y. 10601
Tel: (914) 286-3400
Fax:(914) 682-4112

John Ryan, Esq.
Chief Counsel and Executive Director
E-mail:

Karen Needleman
Deputy Chief
E-mail:

Clare J. Degnan
Deputy Chief, Local Courts
E-mail:

Carrie Leggatt
Administrative Assistant
Tel:(914) 286-3471
E-mail:

Q: What must I do with respect to a will or property of a recently deceased resident?
A: The Surrogate’s Court exists in every county in the state and handles all matters relating to wills, estates and property of deceased persons. The Surrogate’s Court also shares authority with the Family Court to hear adoption proceedings.

Surrogate’s Court
111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, 19th Floor
White Plains, NY 10601

Tel: (914) 824-5656
Fax: (914) 995-3728

Q: Who do I complain to regarding a business or products?
A: The Westchester County Department of Weights and Measures - Consumer Protection fights hard to ensure a fair and equitable marketplace for consumers. Complaints may be filed with:

Department of Weights and Measures - Consumer Protection
112 East Post Road, 4th Floor
White Plains, New York 10601

Tel: (914) 995-2155
Fax: (914) 995-3115

A complaint may also be filed online at the Department of Consumer Protection.

 Q: Do you have any information regarding services available for elderly residents?
A: The Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services helps identify and prioritize the needs of the elderly in Westchester. It also conducts activities and develops programs and services to enhance the quality of life for the elderly.

Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services
9 South First Avenue
Mount Vernon, N.Y. 10550-3414

Q: Do you have any information regarding services available for disabled residents?
A: The Westchester County Office of the Disabled can answer your questions, provide assistance and/or direct you to resources. The office maintains an on-line comprehensive Disability Resource Guide to provide people with disabilities, their families and caregivers a convenient and accessible means of finding services throughout Westchester County.

Westchester County Office for the Disabled
148 Martine Avenue, Room 102
White Plains, NY 10601

Q: What do I do if I believe I have been the victim of discrimination?
A: If you think your rights have been violated because of discrimination, you may file a complaint with one or more of the following:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) 
New York Regional Office
33 Whitehall Street
New York, N.Y. 10004

New York State Division of Human Rights
Bronx (Headquarters)
One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor
Bronx, N.Y. 10458
Tel: (718) 741-8400
E-mail:

Westchester County Human Rights Commission
112 East Post Road, 3rd Floor
White Plains, NY 10601

Q: How can I get a copy of a particular county document?
A: The Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”) provides the public with the right to access certain government records. You can make a FOIL request for documents online or by regular mail if you direct your request to the appropriate county department.

Q: How do I sue the county? How do I serve papers upon the county?  How and where do I file a notice of claim against the county?
A: The Westchester County Attorney’s Office is authorized by law to represent the interests of the County of Westchester and, under some circumstances, the county’s officers and employees. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for the Westchester County Attorney’s Office to provide information which would facilitate an individual to sue the county. No person would want or expect his or her own attorney to inform an adversary regarding such matters. Nevertheless, if you wish to know the answer to these questions, you should contact an attorney as necessary to ensure that your own rights are preserved. 

In addition, if you wish to represent yourself, you can contact:

United States District Court
Southern District of New York
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, NY 10007-1312
Tel: (212) 805-0136

United States District Court
Southern District of New York
300 Quarropas Street
White Plains, NY 10601-4150
Tel: (914) 390-4100
Fax: (914) 390-4180

Westchester Pro Se
Office for the Self-Represented
Supreme Court Law Library
111 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., 9th Floor
White Plains N.Y. 10601
Tel: (914) 824-5209

Q: How can I get a copy of the Laws of Westchester County?
A: The Laws of Westchester County are now available online.

Q: How can I contact the Westchester County Attorney’s Office?

Westchester County Attorney’s Office
148 Martine Avenue, 6th Floor
White Plains, N.Y. 10601
Tel: (914) 995-2660