Public defenders say $100M boost needed to prevent attorney shortage
March 25, 2026
Legal aid leaders warn that without major city funding, low salaries could drive attorneys away and strain representation for New Yorkers.
Legal aid leaders warn that without major city funding, low salaries could drive attorneys away and strain representation for New Yorkers.
“What occurred in that courtroom was not simply a failure of protocol or preparedness. It was a profound moral failure.”
Advocacy groups have filed an amicus brief in support of NYC’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the city’s sanctuary laws.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget amendments left IOLA funding unchanged, disappointing advocates seeking $25M more for civil legal services.
Brooklyn public defender fired after antisemitic post suggesting “firing squads” for Israelis; watchdogs call for law license review.
Brooklyn Defender Services has taken over Queens Defenders and its $32M contract after its former director was charged in a fraud case.
Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a series of changes to the state’s discovery reforms during her annual State of the State address.
Families in New York City facing investigations by the ACS often find themselves navigating a confusing and intimidating process.
The NYPD’s nine-year experiment with ShotSpotter has yielded little success in addressing gun violence, according to a report.
Mayor Eric Adams addressed the city’s ongoing payment delays to nonprofits, stating, “The problem is not the worst it’s ever been.”
Brooklyn Defender Services issued a statement on Tuesday that criticized the New York City Department of Correction .
The Legal Aid Society and Brooklyn Defender Services filed a motion in court accusing the NYC DOC of denying inmates access to medical care.
The Brooklyn legal community has swiftly gathered more than 50 suits in just the first three days of a suit drive, aiming to support individuals reentering society from the justice
In its 2023 annual report, Brooklyn Defenders, a public defense organization, outlined a year of robust legal advocacy and systemic reform efforts aimed at protecting the underrepresented in Brooklyn and
The Brooklyn legal community is hosting a suit drive to help individuals reentering society after imprisonment by providing them with professional attire. This initiative, led by Michael Farkas and Melina
Brooklyn Defender Services, alongside the Bronx Defenders and New York County Defender Services, has filed a class-action lawsuit against the New York City Department of Correction (DOC), alleging unlawful mass
Brooklyn Defender Services, alongside several New York City public defender offices, is actively pushing for a series of legislative reforms in the 2024 session. These reforms target the deeply ingrained
In a move to reform the penal system, the New York City Council has voted to eliminate the use of solitary confinement in city jails. This groundbreaking decision, spearheaded by
Citing escalating violence and despair, the Brooklyn Defender Services have joined with a group of local public defenders to confront the deepening crisis within New York City’s jails. Their recent
In a move to shed light on the institutional racism entrenched within the family policing system, Brooklyn Defender Services united with fellow New York City family defense organizations to submit
The latest heatwave might have broken, but the summer is not over, which means that concerns over the welfare of those incarcerated at Rikers Island remain. Brooklyn Defender Services, an
William Johnstone, a detainee at Rikers Island, became the sixth person to die in New York City’s Department of Correction (DOC) custody this year, triggering renewed calls for reform from
Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) Pro Bono Unit has joined forces with esteemed law firms Cooley LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, in a concerted effort to support
Brooklyn Defenders Services (BDS) welcomed a new force in its mission to drive diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within the organization. John Yates, a seasoned community engagement and policy
In response to the recent New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) report regarding the improper recording of attorney-client phone calls in city jails, a coalition of New York City
The New York Bar Foundation announced that it distributed more than $600,000 in charitable and educational grants to ninety-five legal services organizations across the state, including several Brooklyn-based groups. These
A coalition of New York City public defenders has criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget, warning that changes to the state’s bail laws will lead to a surge
As state legislators return to Albany amid ongoing budget negotiations, Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is taking a stand against proposed changes to New York’s bail and discovery laws. The organization
CITYWIDE — Multiple New York City district attorneys, including Eric Gonzalez from Brooklyn, are urging leaders in Albany to incorporate rollbacks to the state’s discovery reforms into the state’s budget,
STATEWIDE — Brooklyn Defender Services and The Legal Aid Society have called on lawmakers to reject proposed changes to New York’s discovery laws in the state budget. The organizations argue
BROOKLYN — Brooklyn Defender Services was among the advocacy groups that rallied on Monday to celebrate National Public Defense Day and to mark the 60th Anniversary of the landmark U.S.
STATEWIDE — State legislators, advocates, and New Yorkers affected by court debt gathered at the State Capitol on Wednesday to demand the passage of the End Predatory Court Fees Act.
On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams made big news when he announced a new plan to address the City’s severe mental health crisis where he directed city workers to hospitalize any
This story was originally published on Sept. 21 by THE CITY. Sign up here to get the latest stories from THE CITY delivered to you each morning. City educators filed
A group of legal service providers including Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) came together to write a letter demanding that certain city agencies provide clear and transparent COVID-19 protocols for local
The Kings County Housing Court at 141 Livingston St. is being prepared to host in-person proceedings soon and defaults are on the table for people who repeatedly fail to show,