Brooklyn Defender Services

Brooklyn Defender Services A non-profit public defense office in Brooklyn, New York. www.twitter.com/BklynDefender

Lisa Schreibersdorf, Executive Director of Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS), released the following statement announcing...
07/22/2026

Lisa Schreibersdorf, Executive Director of Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS), released the following statement announcing a tentative collective bargaining agreement with ALAA-UAW Local 2325 BDS Union Chapter:

“We are pleased to announce that last night, Brooklyn Defender Services reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement with the BDS Union Chapter of ALAA-UAW Local 2325. This agreement ends a six-day strike and enables Brooklyn Defenders to continue to deliver exceptional legal services to the people of Brooklyn and Queens. Staff attorneys, social workers, and support personnel will be returning to work this morning. The tentative agreement is pending full ratification by union members.

We are thankful to Mayor Mamdani for additional public defense funding, which enabled BDS to provide significant salary increases and hold the line on employee contributions to their health insurance plans.

Every day, New Yorkers are threatened with family separation, incarceration, deportation, and other serious harms in the legal system. As a public defender office serving over 40,000 people across Brooklyn and Queens each year, Brooklyn Defender Services is there to uphold people’s rights, freedom, and dignity.

We are proud of this resolution and are pleased to see our staff return to deliver zealous defense, compassionate advocacy and support to all people in Brooklyn and Queens in need of our help.”

Notice:As of July 16, 2026 at 8 am, members of ALAA-UAW Local 2325 BDS Union Chapter are on strike. This includes Brookl...
07/16/2026

Notice:

As of July 16, 2026 at 8 am, members of ALAA-UAW Local 2325 BDS Union Chapter are on strike.

This includes Brooklyn Defender Services staff attorneys, social workers, and support staff in our Brooklyn and Queens offices.

BDS supervisors and managers will be covering all BDS cases in court and are available to assist New Yorkers in need of our legal services.

If you are a BDS client and need to reach someone about your case, please contact (718) 254-0700.

Brooklyn Defender Services hopes to reach a swift and equitable resolution and an end to the strike.

https://bds.org/latest/brooklyn-defender-services-statement-on-alaa-uaw-local-2325-bds-union-chapters-decision-to-strike

What a day for Team Brooklyn Defenders! Our runners hit the pavement at the 2026 this past Sunday, raising over $23,00...
05/01/2026

What a day for Team Brooklyn Defenders! Our runners hit the pavement at the 2026 this past Sunday, raising over $23,000 to support the people we represent and our advocacy work to reform the criminal, family, and immigration legal systems.
 
Every dollar raised goes directly toward providing clients with essential resources: phones, transportation, clothing, and help covering expensive immigration application fees. These are the things that make a meaningful difference for people navigating complex legal systems. Additionally, funds raised will support our systemic advocacy efforts and allow us to expand our community education initiatives.
 
We are so grateful to our incredible runners and to everyone who supported them with donations, cheers, and encouragement along the route. You can still contribute toward us keeping this work going by visiting the donation link in our bio!

Today, Brooklyn Defender Services stands with public defenders across the country for the National Day of Action for Pub...
04/23/2026

Today, Brooklyn Defender Services stands with public defenders across the country for the National Day of Action for Public Defense. The right to counsel is not optional. It is a constitutional mandate guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. Every person who cannot afford an attorney deserves a vigorous, well resourced defense. But without real government investment, the right to counsel is a guarantee in name only. We call on our government funders to back that right with the funding it demands. Read our joint press release with other New York City public defense offices via the link in our bio.

During Second Chance Month, we recognize the courage it takes to begin again. Reentry is more than a return, it’s a comm...
04/14/2026

During Second Chance Month, we recognize the courage it takes to begin again. Reentry is more than a return, it’s a commitment to growth, stability, and possibility. This Second Chance Month, we’re proud to spotlight our BDS Re-entry Unit, whose whole‑person approach helps returning neighbors build lasting futures and strengthens our entire community.
 
Join us for Re-entry Rising on Wednesday, April 15 | 2–5 PM at our community office. This drop‑in event is a chance to connect, learn about reentry resources, and celebrate second chances. Stop by and show your support. (Swipe for full event details).

Team Brooklyn Defenders is hitting the pavement on April 26th for the 2026 . We’re running to raise funds that directl...
04/08/2026

Team Brooklyn Defenders is hitting the pavement on April 26th for the 2026 . We’re running to raise funds that directly support the people we serve and the fight for a more just legal system. Your donation helps cover essentials like groceries, clothing, cellphones, and costly immigration application fees for the people we represent, while also supporting policy reform efforts to eliminate and reduce the harmful impacts of the criminal, family, and immigration legal systems.
 
See the link in our bio to donate or join our fundraising team!

Address

177 Livingston Street
Brooklyn, NY
11201

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17182540700

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Brooklyn Defender Services posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Brooklyn Defender Services:

Shortcuts

Share

Category