Appellate Advocates & ALAA Announce Recognition of Staff Union
September 29, 2021
Today, Appellate Advocates recognized the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys – UAW Local 2325 as the collective bargaining representative of its staff.
Founded more than 25 years ago, Appellate Advocates represents people experiencing poverty convicted of criminal offenses in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, the majority of whom are Black and Brown and have shouldered the burden of over-policing and over-criminalization. While the core of its work is criminal appeals, its expansive approach strives to mitigate the broad collateral consequences of criminal convictions, including those relating to immigration, re-entry, conviction-based registration requirements, and housing.
Both Appellate Advocates and ALAA believe that zealous, timely, and holistic representation of our clients are our common goals, and agree to work together toward reaching a collective bargaining agreement as thoughtfully and expeditiously as possible. “I am proud of the incredible and innovative work our staff continues to provide for our clients,” said Patricia Pazner, Acting Attorney-in-Charge of Appellate Advocates. “Recognizing there always remains space for improvement, I am confident that together with ALAA, we can build upon our excellent legacy to foster not only an equitable and inclusive workplace, but a strengthened commitment to appellate advocacy and the individuals we so passionately serve. Our paramount goal has always been, and will always remain, providing timely and effective representation to our clients, ensuring their legal claims can be adjudicated without unnecessary delay.”
“We congratulate the staff of Appellate Advocates on coming together to form a union. We look forward to working together closely with Appellate Advocates to reach a collective bargaining agreement which will strengthen client services and amplify the work of our members” said Lisa Ohta, President of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys
About Appellate Advocates
Appellate Advocates was founded in 1995 and is the principal appellate defender for people experiencing poverty in the New York Appellate Division, Second Department. Over 25 years, it has established a well-earned reputation for excellent, timely, and creative appellate advocacy where service to our clients is paramount.
About ALAA – UAW Local 2325
Representing over 2,700 members the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys – UAW Local 2325 is the oldest union of attorneys and legal advocates in the United States. Its membership is comprised of workers at public defender and public interest legal organizations including the Legal Aid Society, Bronx Defenders, Neighborhood Defender Service, Queens Defenders, Brooklyn Defender Service and the Office of the Appellate Defender.