Public defenders, district attorneys, and unions across New York have called on Governor Hochul to expand the HESC District Attorney and Indigent Legal Service Attorney Loan Forgiveness Program (DALF) by adding $4 million to the FY26 budget. With federal loan forgiveness programs under threat, this expansion would ensure that public interest attorneys, who face stagnant salaries and rising debt, can remain in their roles. Strengthening DALF would help New York attract and retain a diverse public interest workforce critical to upholding justice and public safety.

“This tumultuous moment calls for New York to lead the way in protecting student borrowers working in the public interest by strengthening and expanding the HESC-DALF program.”

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“Every time one of these lawyers is forced into the private sector for more pay, our collective ability to resolve legal matters grinds to a halt and the people of New York suffer the consequences of justice delayed.”

Read the Law.com article about the request here.

Read the full letter from public defenders here.