In a significant labor dispute, approximately 500 lawyers, case managers, and staff from Brooklyn Defender Services and Queens Defenders walked off the job on July 15, 2026. The strike, authorized by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys UAW Local 2325 follows months of failed negotiations over wages, benefits, and remote work policies.
The strike could disrupt criminal, housing, and family courts across Brooklyn and Queens, the city’s two most populous boroughs. Despite the strike, workers were not picketing due to poor air quality from Canadian wildfires. The Unified Court System has stated that courts remain operational, but the situation is fluid.
The Core Issues Behind the Strike
The union is demanding raisesmore sick days the return of remote-work policies and better benefits. Bret Brintzenhofe, a senior defense attorney and union member, emphasized the need for a full and fair contract to retain staff and provide effective legal assistance.
“I am on strike to stay in my job and continue for the long term, to provide effective assistance of counsel as part of a team of workers,” Brintzenhofe said. “For me, that’s about clients who are people, no matter what they’re accused of doing, who deserve dignity and respect and due process.”
Management’s Response and Historical Context
Brooklyn Defender Services Executive Director Lisa Schreibersdorf has expressed readiness to continue bargaining. She noted that supervisors would handle the striking workers’ caseloads to minimize client impact. However, tensions have been high, culminating in a complaint to the National Labor Relations Board over alleged attempts to dissolve the union.
The organization has faced challenges, including the absorption of Queens Defenders in 2026 after its former executive director, Lori Zeno was arrested for misusing funds. Additionally, Schreibersdorf announced her retirement effective January 2027.
Brooklyn Defender Services was established in the mid-1990s following a labor dispute involving the Legal Aid Society. The organization remained non-union for decades until 2026, when staff voted to join the UAW’s ALAA.
Broader Implications for Public Defense
The strike is part of a broader wave of labor disputes among public defense organizations in New York City. Other groups represented by the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys are also negotiating contracts, facing similar issues with wages and health care benefits.
The labor tensions come as New York City’s public defense system faces broader uncertainty. The Legal Aid Society the city’s largest legal nonprofit, is also negotiating a new contract, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
As negotiations continue, the union has not set a strike deadline, leaving the outcome uncertain. The situation highlights the critical role of public defenders and the challenges they face in providing effective legal representation.
