Publications
Click below to view or download the desired publication
Queens Defenders in the Press
RECENT NEWS
NYC courts indefinitely halt in-person proceedings after uptick in coronavirus cases
New York Daily News | November 2020
Executive Drector Lori Zeno comments on the recent closure of in-person proceedings in NYC courts.
Queens Defenders and Queens Public Library team up for reentry program
Queens Daily Eagle | November 2020
Queens Defenders & Queens Public Library partner for the “Immediate Access: Technology Re-entry Program” which will assist 75 recent parolees over the next two years with technological training.
Safe courts are not too much to ask
New York Daily News | October 2020
Op-Ed by Executive Director Lori Zeno regarding the safety of New York City Courts
CLIENT & LEGAL SERVICES
Queens DA Offers Unique Diversion Program Based at Rockaway Community Justice Center
QNS | October 2020
Press release between the Queens District Attorneys office & Queens Defenders about the beginning of the Diversion Program at the Rockaway Community Justice Center
Rockaway Community Justice Center Offers a Second Chance for Low-Level Offenders
The Queens Daily Eagle | October 2020
News announcement on the press release between the Queens District Attorneys office & Queens Defenders about the beginning of the Diversion Program at the Rockaway Community Justice Center
Public defender groups say court opening plan endangers clients and staff
Queens Daily Eagle | July 2020
Queens Defenders in participation with NYC other public defenders offices demand explanation on the courts COVID-19 safety policies to justify them being open
Cop Suspended Without Pay After Putting Man In Apparent Chokehold On Rockaway Boardwalk
Gothamist | June 2020
Following a Queens Defenders client experiencing police brutality at the hands of the NYPD Queens Defenders organized an emergency protest demanding action.
Rise of the Queens Defenders
Queens Daily Eagle | January 2020
In January 2020 Queens Law Associates rebranded to become Queens Defenders.
Lawyers Walk Out to Protest ICE, and Court Objects
The New York Times | April 2018
Queens Defenders (as Queens Law Associates) organized a walkout in response to ICE detaining immigrants who went to court on minor charges.
COMMUNITY WORK
5 Girl Activists Tell Us The Greatest Lessons Their Moms Taught Them
Romper | September 2020
Alexandra Brathwaite’s (Social Justice Coordinator and Leader of the Queens Defenders Youth Justice Court) story was shared in this article sharing lessons women’ learned from their activist mothers.
Bringing People Together
The Wave | August 2020
Queens Defenders organized Rockaway’s first Unity Fest bringing the community together with music & food.
New Justice Center Brings Community Court to Rockaways
WNYC | May 2020
Rockaway Community Justice Center where Queens Defenders mission of restorative justice can be served.
Exclusive Look Inside Queens’ First Community Justice Center
NY1 | May 2020
Rockaway Community Justice Center opens in Rockaways.
From Client to Staff, Queens Teen Pivots From Prison Path
The City | January 2020
Queens Defenders mission of restorative justice is shared through the real success story of Fatu Kamara with her mentor and former lawyer Anthony Martone.
LEADERSHIP
New York City courthouses present an ‘unacceptably high risk’ for contracting Covid-19, report says
CNN | October 2020
CrowdRX Report shows the lack of safety in the New York City Courts including quotes from Executive Director Lori Zeno
Courts Full of COVID Risk
New York Daily News | October 2020
CrowdRX Report shows lack of transparency in COVID-19 protocols or lack thereof and includes a quote from Queens Defenders Executive Director Lori Zeno
Latest COVID Case in Queens DA’s Office Fuels Concerns Ahead of Jury Trial Restart
The Queens Daily Eagle | October 2020
Executive Director Lori Zeno comments on the safety in the courts in the wake of a positive COVID-19 test in the DA’s office.
After Video Shows Apparent Chokehold, N.Y.P.D. Suspends Officer
New York Times | June 2020
Queens Defenders Executive Director Lori Zeno was quoted regarding a client who was a victim of police brutality.
Erin Burnett OutFront
CNN | June 2020
Executive Director Lori Zeno continues to advocate for Queens Defenders clients following a client experiencing police brutality.
Officer Who Allegedly Used Illegal Chokehold Suspended Without Pay
The Daily Beast | June 2020
Following the police brutality experienced by one of Queens Defenders clients Executive Director Lori Zeno comments on the officers suspension.
If you are with the news media and would like additional information on Queens Defenders, please contact Alora Sherbert, Manager of Development & Communications, at press@queensdefenders.org.
Publications
Click below to view or download the desired publication
Press
Trials are down, workload is up. Discovery reform fosters new normal in Queens criminal court
Queens Daily Eagle
February 18, 2020
On most days, Queens trials are down by about 50 percent. But public defenders have more work than ever. The Queens Daily Eagle talks to QD attorneys Anthony Martone and Richard Torres about the new discovery laws.
Queens Defenders, business leaders advise next generation of Jamaica entrepreneurs
Queens Daily Eagle
February 12, 2020
Queens Defenders kicked off Black History Month on February 4 with a session on entrepreneurship at the organization’s newly opened Jamaica Justice Center.
Defense attorneys dissect bail reform laws at criminal court seminar
Queens Daily Eagle
January 28, 2020
At a lunchtime seminar, a handful of Queens defense attorneys and judges dissected practical considerations of the state’s new bail reform law. The legal education event was organized by the Criminal Court Committee of the Queens County Bar Association and featured moderator Gary Miret and presenter Kathleen Rende, staff attorney with the Queens Defenders.
Rise of the Queens Defenders
Queens Daily Eagle
January 23, 2020
The Queens Law Associates, a public defender organization based in Kew Gardens, have a new identity: the Queens Defenders.
From Client to Staff, Queens Teen Pivots from Prison Path
The City
January 20, 2020
The City profiles Queens Defenders’ Fatu Kamara. After working her way up from a two-day-a-week internship, Fatu is the first enrollee of the Queens Defenders Youth Mentorship Program hired for a full-time job.
Introducing Queens Defenders
PRNewswire.com
January 16, 2020
Queens Defenders, formerly operating as Queens Law Associates, debuted on January 1, 2020.
Queens Criminal Court Implements Therapeutic Approach To Veterans’ Misdemeanors
QNS.com
November 13, 2019
Executive Director Lori Zeno discusses mentoring programs for court involved veterans.
Legal System Off To Slow Start On ‘Raise The Age’ Night-Court Fix
The City
October 10, 2019
Anthony Martone, Director of Queens Defenders’ Felony Youth Defense Unit, describes how sending young offenders directly to Family Court lessens the burden on young people and their families.
Know Your Rights Workshop Opens Doors For Spanish Speakers In LIC
Queens Daily Eagle
August 14, 2019
The Queens Daily Eagles covers Queens Defenders’ partnership with Hour Children’s Hour Working Women Program.
Next DA Can Do More For Immigrants, Advocates And Attorneys Say
Queens Daily Eagle
July 18, 2019
Queens Defenders Immigration expert, Joshua Epstein, suggests how the next Queens District Attorney can do more to protect immigrants on their way to and from the courthouse.
Queens Defenders Empowers Youth At St. John’s
The Wave
June 27, 2019
Brandon Jeffries, Director of Youth Programs describes our partnership at the St. John’s Residence for Boys in Rockaway Park and how Queens Defenders works with local police to provide restorative justice and prevention services for youth in the community.
Locals Recognized At Far Rockaway Day
The Wave
May 30, 2019
Queens Defenders Young Adult Leaders Hector Rodriguez and Andre Hussey host a local event in Far Rockaway to recognize youth and adult professionals for their community service.
ICE Arrests Have Surged At Queens Courts, Report Reveals
Queens Daily Eagle
January 29, 2019
Queens Defenders Immigration expert, Joshua Epstein, is quoted describing how ICE’s presence near courthouses discourages people from showing up, complicating their cases and negatively impacting the justice system.
Queens Defenders Teen Mentors Go To DC
The Wave
March 22, 2018
Executive Director, Lori Zeno, describes our Youth Mentor’s participation in the March for Our Lives in Washington, DC to protest gun violence in schools and in the Rockaway community.
If you are with the news media and would like additional information on Queens Defenders, please contact Dana Longstreet, Director of Communications, at dlongstreet@queensdefenders.org.
Click below to view or download our legal service brochure