Dale Steven Johnson, 1947—2015

July 2, 2015, New York, NY—It is with sadness that Legal Services NYC announces the passing of our former longtime Executive Director, Dale Steven Johnson, on June 26, 2015. Dale joined the organization in 1978, when we were known as Community Action for Legal Services (CALS). He retired as Executive Director in 2001.

Under Dale’s leadership, CALS/LSNYC significantly expanded our funding sources, allowing us to increase legal assistance for eviction-prevention,  victims of domestic violence, people affected by HIV and AIDS, disability benefits work, and parent representation in child protective proceedings. Dale also supported the development of a number of innovative and nationally recognized programs, including those that addressed community economic development, foreclosure prevention and predatory lending, and legal issues facing low-wage workers.

It was also through Dale’s guidance that we developed the nation’s largest poverty law training program, and began to strengthen our collaborative work with other organizations, becoming a leader in state-wide efforts to plan for and coordinate delivery of legal services. And it was under Dale’s leadership that we weathered the storms of 1980, when President Reagan tried to eliminate the Legal Services Corporation, and of 1996, when Congress slashed LSC funding and imposed a host of new restrictions on LSC-funded organizations.

“Dale was known for his pursuit of excellence, his fairness, and his commitment to advancing the civil rights of all New Yorkers,” said current Executive Director, Raun Rasmussen. “He was a good man and a mentor to many in his community.”   

He is survived by his wife, Blanca Luz Johnson, by his sons, Milton Casiano and Matthew Johnson, and by his many family members and friends.