The situation in New York City’s courts is becoming increasingly precarious as the ongoing strike of public defenders and legal services attorneys has doubled in size since Friday, amplifying concerns about massive disruptions in the legal system.
Public defenders and legal aid attorneys are essential to representing low-income defendants, and the potential joining of the Legal Aid Society (LAS) attorneys in the strike next week could leave the city short of nearly 2,000 legal professionals.
On Friday, the collective bargaining agreement between the Legal Aid Society, the city’s largest public defender organization, and their union was terminated.
The union, representing approximately 1,100 attorney and non-attorney staff, has issued an ultimatum to go on strike by July 25 unless a new contract is reached.
This escalation followed the announcement of strikes from three other unions for legal aid organizations after negotiations yielded no agreements.
Approximately 750 legal services workers from seven organizations are currently on strike.
If LAS employees decide to strike, it would mark the largest public defender mass strike in 30 years, with around 2,000 legal aid workers participating.
Such a significant strike could severely affect legal services for indigent and underserved populations, resulting in lengthy delays and diminished services as remaining attorneys handle increased caseloads.
Union representatives, including Aaron Eisenberg, the Political Director of UAW Local 2325, which represents public defenders across the city, emphasized their commitment to negotiating in good faith but admitted that a deal is still not in sight.
Eisenberg conveyed the gravity of the situation, stating, “This has the potential to be one of the largest strikes in the city’s history. Our members understand the significance of this, and the deadline was extended in hopes of reaching an agreement… Our members are not trying to go on strike; they are being forced to go on strike.”
In response, LAS leadership is urging the city to increase legal aid funding to help fulfill the union’s demands.
Attorney General Letitia James, alongside other elected officials, has also called upon Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council to allocate funds from the city’s budget reserve to boost legal aid financing.
Twyla Carter, the LAS Attorney-in-Chief and CEO, affirmed that they are committed to ongoing negotiations, stating, “Our goal remains the same, which is to reach a fair agreement that recognizes the vital contributions of our staff attorneys and strengthens the long-term sustainability of a career at Legal Aid.”
Carter also indicated that LAS would continue operations during a strike, stating, “If a strike is called, we will take the necessary steps to minimize the impact on the people and communities we serve.”
As the strike expands, the increasing gap in legal representation will need to be mitigated by supervisors, remaining non-striking attorneys, and private attorneys.
Sources noted that 18-B attorneys, who already manage heavy caseloads, would be the first to fill the void left by striking attorneys, although it remains unclear how they would handle the additional workload.
City Hall officials have indicated that they are collaborating with various public and private stakeholders to ensure minimal disruption to court services and representation availability.
Deanna Logan, director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, stated, “While the attorneys on strike are not city employees and we are not a party to their negotiations, the city has proactively worked to ensure their decisions do not harm the vulnerable New Yorkers who rely on their services every day.”
Logan elaborated that they are taking steps to mitigate potential disruptions by mobilizing supervisors and directors to manage cases, engaging a roster of private pre-authorized attorneys, and coordinating with criminal and family courts to ensure no one is left unrepresented.
The Office of Court Administration is also keeping an eye on the strike, working alongside the city to address any disruptions within the courthouse.
Al Baker, a spokesperson for the OCA, stated, “At this point there have been no significant disruptions of court operations, and the courts remain fully open. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and hope that the parties can arrive at an equitable agreement soon.”
As the strike situation evolves, the identity of those currently participating stands out.
Seven unions representing public defenders have walked off the job, totaling around 750 staff members, both attorneys and support staff.
While LAS comprises the bulk of legal aid workers in the city, the organizations on strike provide crucial legal services in areas such as housing, immigration, and child custody.
Each union has its unique demands, though all share common goals like improved wages, cost-of-living adjustments, and reduced healthcare premiums.
Details on the organizations involved in the strike are as follows:
– The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), boasting approximately 280 members, is the largest union currently on strike.
This civil legal services organization represents immigrants, asylum seekers, tenants, and children, among others.
Last year, NYLAG assisted over 127,700 individuals in various legal matters.
– The Bronx Defenders, with around 270 members, is the second largest union on strike.
This nonprofit organization provides free legal representation in criminal, civil, child welfare, and immigration cases to nearly 20,000 low-income Bronx residents each year.
A spokesperson indicated they had proposed substantial salary increases but require an additional $600,000 in funding to fulfill the union’s demands.
– The Urban Justice Center comprises approximately 70 members and provides legal advocacy for around 10,000 New Yorkers annually.
The center operates projects focusing on issues such as domestic violence, vendor rights, and sex work advocacy.
– The Center for Appellate Litigation (CAL) is on strike with around 65 members.
CAL specializes in representing clients who are appealing criminal cases, often working with clients for years to secure their rights while they are incarcerated.
– The Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD), with approximately 20 members, shares a similar mission to CAL, advocating for low-income New Yorkers in felony appeals across various judicial settings.
– CAMBA, a nonprofit with about 50 members, offers civil legal services across multiple areas, including housing and immigration.
Their attorneys served over 14,000 New Yorkers in 2024 alone.
– Goddard Riverside Law Project, the smallest group on strike with around 12 members, focuses on tenant advocacy while addressing wider human service needs in Western Manhattan.
This union was the first to go on strike on July 10.
Amidst these developments, a potential breakthrough emerged for one organization.
The union representing Appellate Advocates had reached a tentative agreement with management for a new contract by Friday, suspending their planned strike set for July 18.
This agreement remains unofficial as it awaits voting by union members but could signal a positive step forward in the negotiations.
As New York City grapples with this strike, the significance of providing adequate legal representation to its most vulnerable residents hangs in the balance.
image source from：queenseagle
