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BDS answers media questions in aftermath of "Facebook Acquittal"

Brooklyn Defender Services held a news conference on 12/06/11 regarding the discovery of Facebook comments written under the names of members of the NYC Police department. This facebook page was discovered during the representation of an innocent client wrongfully accused of gun possession. The story broke in the NY Times on 12/5/11 in Bill Glaberson’s article entitled “NYC Police Maligned Paradegoers on Facebook”.  BDS issued a statement following the press conference.

Brooklyn Defender Services is currently accepting applications for the Summer 2012 Immigration Unit Internship Program

The Immigration Unit of Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) works in close collaboration with BDS defenders to avoid or minimize the negative immigration consequences of their noncitizens’ criminal cases. The Unit also provides direct representation to our noncitizen clients in immigration court proceedings, against immigration detention, and in affirmative applications for immigration benefits.

We seek dynamic individuals with a demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights, criminal justice, and/or social justice issues. Applicants should also possess the ability to perform nuanced legal research and writing at the highest standard, to communicate clearly and effectively through written and oral advocacy, and to be a team player. Spanish, Mandarin or Russian fluency is preferred but not required

All internships are volunteer positions. However, BDS will work with students to secure funding from outside sources or class credits where available.

This program is extremely competitive and positions are limited. To apply, please send a cover letter and a resume to Talia Peleg at tpeleg@bds.org. We will accept applications until January 16, 2012. Selected applicants will be interviewed and decisions made by March 2012.

BDS Welcomes Our Newest Attorneys and Law Graduates...

To keep up with an expanding officewide caseload, BDS is pleased to announce the addition of the following new Trial Attorneys and Law Graduates:

Join us in welcoming these accomplished attorneys to BDS.

BDS Announces New Staff Members

BDS is proud to announce the addition of several new staff members who will help us meet the challenge of an increasing number of new cases:

    Edward Daniels, Esq.

    Thomas Leith, Esq.

    Cary London, Esq.

    Jillian Modzeleski, Esq.

    Susan Mitchell, Esq.

    Stacy Bisignano

    Christina Dominguez

    Claire Eccles

    Jacqueline Romero

    Claire Mauksch

    Nikita Bowen

    Robert Geryk

    David Katz

    Matthew Candal

    Jasper Franks

We will post more information soon about the impressive backgrounds of each of these individuals, but for now join us in welcoming them to the BDS family.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

A new series of compelling public service announcements by our friends at the San Francisco Public Defender's Office:  Video

Brooklyn Community Foundation Awards BDS A Grant to Continue Assisting the Haitian Community in Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in Brooklyn through grantmaking and by encouraging local giving and community service. The first and only one of its kind in Brooklyn, the Foundation was founded in 2009 to support the borough’s most effective nonprofits through five Fields of Interest: Community Development, Education and Youth Achievement, Caring Neighbors, Arts for All, and Green Communities. Since 1998, operating as the Independence Community Foundation, the Foundation distributed more than $70 million in grants throughout New York Metro area, more than half of which were in Brooklyn.

To read the full article, click here

April 2010: BDS Holding Legal Assistance Clinics to Help Haitians Apply for Temporary Protected Status

Brooklyn Defender Services is spearheading a Brooklyn-based initiative to help Haitian residents apply for Temporary Protected Status. We are working in partnership with the Brooklyn Bar Volunteer Lawyers Project, the Brooklyn Bar Association, and the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association and in collaboration with other Brooklyn-based service providers.

Clinics will be held every Monday from April 5th through July 12th at 123 Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please see the attached flyers for more information:

HILAP flyer English.pdf

HILAP flyer Creole.pdf

February 2010:  BDS receives grant from New York Community Trust to continue providing immigration services through the Haitian Immigration Legal Assistance Program

"Coming out of hiding as an undocumented immigrant and applying for Temporary Protected Status is a serious decision, and Haitian immigrants need lawyers who can explain the benefits and possible risks,” said Kathleen Masters, who works in Flatbush, Brooklyn as Deputy Executive Director of CAMBA. Also, in the rush to apply, new non-English speaking immigrants are more easily tricked into paying exorbitant fees or paying for help from lawyers with no experience in immigration law. Fortunately, there are legal services providers who have the expertise and the ability to train and coordinate services.

A $45,000 grant to Brooklyn Defender Services will support its Haitian Legal Relief Project, which held a training session on TPS on February 3 that drew more than 200 attorneys. The funding will enable the agency to help 3,000 people apply for TPS and file petitions to bring family members to the U.S. from Haiti temporarily. It will also conduct three workshops and coordinate 15 legal clinics in the heart of the Brooklyn Haitian community through July.

To read the full Press Release from the New York Community Trust, click on the link below:

 NYCT Help for Haiti.pdf

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