The bulk of the papers are dedicated to Arthur von Briesen's general interest and work in philanthropy and politics, both within and beyond the municipal realm of New York City. The files of the Legal Aid Society, of which von Briesen was President for over twenty-five years, make up more than half of this collection and are for the most part complete. As Legal Aid Society President, von Briesen participated in all aspects of the organization--administration, finance, publicity, the activities of its six branches, and individual case work. The collection therefore holds the Legal Aid financial files, much of its case work, and extensive correspondence between von Briesen and the Society's various directors and attorneys. The rest of the collection consists of files from his own law firm as well as from the various professional, charitable, and cultural organizations in which he took part, including the National Roosevelt League (he served as president), the Merchants' Association of New York City, Germanistic Society of America (von Briesen was a charter member), and Civil War veterans organizations. Also found are papers, printed material, and correspondence regarding German-American activities before, during, and after the First World War. Nearly half of the Arthur von Briesen Papers appear in German with only a few documents translated. The hand-written correspondence is at times difficult to read as some of it is in old German script ("Kurrent").