Our Mission
Brooklyn Defender Services is a public defense office whose mission is to provide outstanding representation and advocacy free of cost to people facing loss of freedom, family separation and other serious legal harms by the government. We believe in a client-centered approach and work, in and out of court, to uphold the rights, freedom and dignity of people threatened by unjust, racist and harmful legal systems.
Our Team
With support from our Board of Directors, BDS’ leadership team utilizes decades of expertise in public defense and organizational management to the success of Brooklyn Defender Services. Our staff, consisting of attorneys, social workers, paralegals, administrative professionals, and investigators, work collaboratively on each case.
Our Approach
Brooklyn Defenders works, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals, and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. We defend, advocate, and change.
Our Work
BDS is both a law firm and a community-based non-profit. Like most law firms, BDS is configured into practice areas.
Our Partners
Brooklyn Defenders partners with foundations, pro bono lawyers, educational institutions, and other organizations to leverage resources and expertise in furtherance of our mission to provide a complete defense to each of our clients.
BDS worked with over
23,000
clients in 2023.
100%
of these clients were accused of a crime, facing loss of liberty, their home, their children, or deportation.
Support Our Work
Your contribution to BDS ensures that every individual and family we serve receives a full range of social and advocacy support alongside high-quality legal representation.
Financials
2023: Audited Financials
2022: Audited Financials
2021: Audited Financials
2020: Audited Financials
2019: Audited Financials
Annual Reports
2023: Annual Report
Privacy Policy
If you consent to receiving text messages (SMS, MMS) from Brooklyn Defender Services, you may receive texts regarding your intake, legal case, appointment confirmations, referrals, notification of changes in the law, and/or legal information. You may OPT OUT of text messages at any time by replying STOP or HELP. Message or data rates may apply. Frequency of messages may vary. Your data will not be sold or distributed to third parties.
Creative Credits
Web Design: Hyperakt
Film & Animation: MediaTank
Photography: Aundre Larrow
Leadership Headshot Photography: Day1Pictures