A historic labor action is unfolding inside New York City’s justice system. Hundreds of public defenders and legal advocates across the five boroughs are walking off the job — not for political reasons, but to demand fair pay, sustainable workloads, and basic benefits.
As Queens injury lawyers, we know how hard it is to stand up to a system that often favors power over people. Whether in a courtroom or a workplace, it takes real grit to fight for fairness. In this post, we’ll break down who’s on strike, why they’re doing it, how widespread the action is, and what it means for the city’s legal system going forward.
Who’s Involved
Representation & Organizations
This strike isn’t limited to one group or borough — it spans across six or more legal aid providers citywide. Participants include staff attorneys, social workers, paralegals, and other employees from the Legal Aid Society, Urban Justice Center, Bronx Defenders, New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), Goddard Riverside Law Project, CAMBA, Office of the Appellate Defender, and the Center for Appellate Litigation. These organizations represent thousands of low-income New Yorkers in criminal, housing, immigration, and family court.
Union Body
All of these workers are represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA), part of UAW Local 2325. The union, affiliated with the national United Auto Workers, is leading the strike efforts after negotiations stalled across multiple agencies.
Reasons Behind the Strike
Wages & Cost-of-Living
At the heart of the strike are issues that have simmered for years — low pay, rising caseloads, and underfunded services that leave staff stretched thin. Workers are asking for a livable wage floor of around $68,000–$70,000, with the ability to reach six-figure salaries after five years on the job. Currently, many attorneys make far less, despite carrying out critical public service work.
Burnout & Caseloads
Burnout is a major concern. Many defenders report crushing caseloads that make it hard to serve clients properly or maintain their own mental health. Strikers want enforceable limits on the number of cases attorneys are expected to handle.
Healthcare & Benefits
Healthcare is also on the table. Staff are asking for lower insurance premiums and better retirement options — benefits that are standard in many other city jobs but lag behind in legal aid roles.
Funding Cuts
All of this is happening in the shadow of federal funding reductions, which have forced providers to do more with less. As resources shrink, expectations remain high — leaving workers to carry the burden without proper support.
Scale & Timeline
Contracts Expired
The contracts for many legal service workers expired on June 30. When negotiations failed to produce results, several providers issued 10-day strike notices between July 9 and July 15. The first group to officially walk out was at Goddard Riverside, and within days, the action spread across the city.
Walkout Phases
By mid-July, employees at NYLAG, CAMBA, Urban Justice Center, Bronx Defenders, and both appellate defender offices had joined the strike. More organizations are expected to follow if negotiations remain stalled.
Numbers & Scale
What started with a few hundred workers is now growing fast. Early estimates put the number of participants at over 400, but union leaders expect that figure to rise to nearly 2,000 — making this the largest legal aid strike in New York City since 1994.
Impacts
The walkout has already caused slowdowns in criminal, family, housing, and immigration courts, particularly in the Bronx and Manhattan. Without enough attorneys to represent clients, judges are left to delay hearings, reassign cases, or proceed under pressure.
Response from Courts & City Officials
City Hall
City Hall’s response has been cautious. Mayor Adams’ administration pointed to a recent $20 million funding boost for legal aid but has not offered clear solutions for how to address the walkout’s impact or meet worker demands.
Court System
The Office of Court Administration (OCA) says courts will remain open and that they are monitoring the situation. Officials say they are working to ensure that no defendant’s rights are compromised due to staffing shortages, though delays are becoming more common.
Legal Aid Society
Interestingly, the Legal Aid Society — the city’s largest provider — has continued operations despite an expired contract. Their lawyers are still at work, but union leaders say that could change if talks don’t make progress.
Political Support
Several elected officials are backing the strike. State Attorney General Letitia James and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani have both spoken at rallies, calling defenders “essential to justice” and pushing for full funding of legal aid services.
Broader Significance
Public Interest Resources
This strike highlights a deeper issue: New York’s public defense system is under-resourced, even though it serves some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. Without sustainable pay and manageable workloads, talented attorneys leave for private firms — taking their skills with them.
Taylor Law Context
Although public employees face limits under New York’s Taylor Law, workers are using the expiration of their contracts to legally justify their strike. It’s the first large-scale defender walkout since 1994 and could set a new precedent for labor action in the legal field.
Conclusion
Across New York City, public defenders are making history by walking off the job in protest of low pay, high caseloads, and shrinking resources. Backed by UAW Local 2325, they are pushing for a system that values their work and supports the communities they serve.
The coming weeks will be critical. How the courts, city officials, and providers respond will shape what legal aid looks like in New York for years to come.
Boland Injury Lawyers, P.C. stands with those who fight for fair treatment — because strong advocacy starts with strong advocates. We’ll continue following this evolving story and will share updates as new developments unfold.