Hundreds of attorneys and legal staff across New York City have launched a coordinated strike, demanding increased wages, reduced caseloads, and improved working conditions at nonprofit legal organizations. The action marks the largest labor stoppage by public defenders and legal advocates since 1994.
The walkout involves workers from seven legal services organizations, including the Bronx Defenders, the Center for Appellate Litigation, and the Office of the Appellate Defender, who joined the strike on Friday, July 18th. They followed earlier strike actions by staff at the Urban Justice Center, New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), CAMBA, and Goddard Riverside Law Project. More than 700 workers are currently on strike, and over 2,000 additional employees could join them if contract talks remain unresolved.
The workers are represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys – UAW Local 2325. The union aligned contract expiration dates across member organizations to strengthen its bargaining position and push for sector-wide improvements. Many of these organizations are city-funded contractors that provide legal representation to low-income New Yorkers in criminal, housing, family, and immigration courts.
Demands vary slightly across organizations but generally include salary floors of at least $68,500 for non-attorney staff, more affordable health coverage, standardized workloads, and consistent disciplinary procedures. Union leaders argue that stagnant pay and high caseloads are undermining both staff retention and the quality of services provided to vulnerable clients.
Bronx Defenders Executive Director Juval Scott stated that although their latest offer included an 11.4% wage increase for the lowest-paid staff, meeting the union’s demands would require “an additional $600,000 that we just don’t have without additional City funding.”
At a rally held at Foley Square earlier this week, over a dozen local elected officials, including Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and Attorney General Letitia James, joined striking workers.
While some groups, such as Appellate Advocates, have reached tentative agreements, others continue to bargain.
City officials have stated they are working to mitigate court disruptions, while legal organizations prepare to maintain operations during the ongoing strike.
