Founded in 2019, NDS Detroit represents people experiencing poverty, who are accused of criminal offenses in Wayne County.  NDS Detroit was built based on NDS’ long-time work in Harlem, NY, representing residents of Northern Manhattan in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings.  NDS Detroit will now be unionized with ALAA, in the same manner as NDS Harlem has been for the past 3 years.

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.

New York, NY -- Staff attorneys, senior staff attorneys, senior counsel, paralegals, mailroom clerks, and social work and reentry staff at Appellate Advocates today announced their intent to join the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys - UAW Local 2325 by filing an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and requesting that management immediately voluntarily recognize the union.

Brooklyn, NY — Today, the staff at Brooklyn Defender Services (“BDS”) resoundingly confirmed their desire to form a wall-to-wall union and enter into contract negotiations with their employer. This election was the culmination of over a year-long effort during which a supermajority of non-managerial workers across practice areas and roles signed cards indicating their support for the BDS Union. Today’s election reaffirmed that widespread support with over 71% of staff choosing the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) - UAW Local 2325 as their bargaining representatives. We now officially begin the next phase of the unionization process: bargaining for a strong, fair contract.

Mayor de Blasio must take responsibility for the agencies that report directly to him. Cleaning up the historically unsanitary conditions and improving ventilation in the courthouses will benefit everyone who shares these spaces and we must continue to protect those most at risk from these dangerous and preventable conditions, especially with more contagious COVID-19 variants spreading across the city.

For over a year, ALAA has sought information from OCA and City agencies about the health and safety conditions of nonpublic courthouse spaces, including jail cell areas or “pens” - places where New Yorkers accused of a crime are held while waiting to see a judge - and other areas where attorneys meet with clients to discuss case details. ALAA has submitted multiple requests to gain access to these areas to evaluate conditions, yet those requests have been either ignored or outright denied. Prior to the pandemic, the conditions in these areas were filthy and unhealthy. Attorneys who worked in these areas, routinely became ill shortly after a shift in arraignment.

WHEREAS, endorsing One Member, One Vote commits ALAA to a principled stand against corruption in our union and building a more democratic structure where possible. By creating a more accountable leadership, One Member, One Vote allows ALAA to better carry out its ideal as a democratic union as encapsulated in its bylaws.