Brooklyn Defender Services to Assume Contract for Criminal Defense in Queens

(BROOKLYN, NY) – Brooklyn Defender Services today announced that, upon the request of the New York City Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, Brooklyn Defender Services will be assuming the responsibilities of the criminal defense contract previously held by Queens Defenders.

“We are proud to announce that Brooklyn Defender Services will bring our nearly 30 years of experience and expertise to Queens County,” said Lisa Schreibersdorf, Executive Director and Founder of Brooklyn Defender Services. “Since 1996, Brooklyn Defender Services has had a contract with the City of New York to represent people facing arrest. We are thrilled to be able to offer our services to residents in Queens. We look forward to building new partnerships and collaborating with local organizations and leaders to ensure all people, regardless of income, have access to zealous representation and access to the services and resources they and their families need to thrive.”

"The most important thing is ensuring stability and minimizing disruptions to the constituents that rely on this representation and the hard-working attorneys employed," said Deanna Logan, Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. "The best way to accomplish this was a proactive approach, in partnership with the Brooklyn Defenders Services. We're thankful for their commitment — and that of the attorneys at the Queens Defenders — to providing uninterrupted representation to New Yorkers in need of advocacy."

“At Queens Defenders, our top priority has always been providing the highest quality legal representation for our clients facing criminal charges,” said Anthony Martone, Interim Executive Director at Queens Defenders. “As we progress through this transition, our commitment remains to our clients and the dedicated attorneys, social workers, and support staff members that work tirelessly every day in the pursuit of justice for the people we represent. We look forward to working closely with Brooklyn Defender Services and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice to ensure continuity of representation and a smooth transition for Queens Defenders staff members.”

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PDF of press release available here.