The New York Council of Defense Lawyers (“NYCDL”), established in 1986 as a not-for-profit professional association, has a membership of about 200 very experienced lawyers whose principal area of practice is the defense of criminal cases, particularly in the federal courts in New York. Many of our members are former Assistant United States Attorneys, including a number of former Chiefs of the Criminal Division in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Our membership also includes lawyers from the Federal Defender officers in these two districts.
The NYCDL’s mission includes protecting and ensuring individual rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution by rule of law through education; supporting and advancing the criminal defense function by enhancing the quality of defense representation; taking positions on important defense issues; promoting study and research in the criminal justice system; and promoting the proper administration of criminal justice.
The NYCDL holds a biennial weekend retreat in the fall for members, invited prosecutors, judges and other distinguished guests, who meet informally as a group to discuss topics of special concern to the defense bar; an annual luncheon at which the Norman Ostrow Award, in memory of a distinguished founding member of the NYCDL, is presented to a defense lawyer for “outstanding contribution to the defense of liberty and the preservation of individual rights”; and informal luncheons for members and invited judges.
The NYCDL’s committees include two Liaison Committees that meet with the United States Attorneys of the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York to discuss issues of mutual concern; an Ethics, Legislation and Rules Committee that keeps current with these areas as they affect defense practice and proposes and then prepares NYCDL positions; an Amicus Committee that writes briefs on our behalf on significant issues in trial and appellate courts; and a Luncheon Committee that arranges luncheons for members and invited speakers.
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