Since its creation in 1949 from a bequest of the Honorable Frank H. Hiscock, the Society has provided free legal assistance to residents of Onondaga County who cannot afford the services of private counsel.

The Society provides civil assistance, most often in the areas of domestic relations, housing and unemployment, mandated representation in Family Court for adults, and representation in Parole Revocation and Extradition cases.

The Society also provides representation on appeals from criminal and Family Court cases. Several projects provide specialized legal assistance, including the Domestic Violence Project, Immigration Project, Cancer Legal Advocacy & Services Project, Foreclosure Prevention Project, and Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Project.