Brooklyn Defender Services Announces Official Opening of Criminal Defense Office in Queens
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2025
Contact: mediarequests@bds.org
Brooklyn Defender Services Announces Official Opening of Criminal Defense Office in Queens
(QUEENS, NY) – Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) today announced that, as of July 1st, 2025, it has officially assumed the responsibilities of the criminal defense contract previously held by Queens Defenders with the opening of the Brooklyn Defender Services’ Queens Office.
Brooklyn Defender Services’ Queens Office will handle approximately 16,000 new cases per year in Queens, including criminal cases in the Kew Gardens courthouse and youth cases in Family Court in Jamaica. Attorneys and staff formerly employed by Queens Defenders have been hired by BDS and will continue representing all existing clients.
Lisa Schreibersdorf, Executive Director and Founder of Brooklyn Defender Services, released the following statement:
“After 29 years of experience and expertise serving Brooklyn, we are proud to bring the same dedication and excellence to Queens residents. We will continue in our mission to provide outstanding representation and advocacy free of cost to people facing loss of freedom, family separation, and other serious legal harms.
Staff of the Queens office will gain access to the broader infrastructure of Brooklyn Defender Services, including expanded investigative capacity, training opportunities, and organizational support. The people we represent in Queens will now have access to a wider range of legal and social work services, including assistance with housing, benefits, immigration, and ACS investigations.
Despite many challenges over the past year, the staff in Queens have remained deeply committed to their clients and their work. We are proud to welcome this team of hardworking, skilled, and mission-driven attorneys and support staff.
Together, we remain committed to ensuring that all people in Queens and Brooklyn have access to zealous defense, compassionate advocacy, and the support they and their families need to thrive.”
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