named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Appellate Representation - Appellate Division
Provides full appellate representation for felony convictions from Manhattan and Bronx County, including record assembly, brief preparation, oral argument, and post-decision follow-up before the Appellate Division, First Department
Appellate Representation - Appellate Term
Handles appeals from misdemeanor and violation convictions in Manhattan and Bronx criminal courts before the Appellate Term, First Department, including briefing and oral argument
Conditions of Confinement Project
Advocates for incarcerated clients' medical and humane treatment needs during imprisonment, including access to proper medical equipment and living conditions
Immigration Justice Project (IJP)
Identifies and vacates old convictions that create immigration consequences, such as deportation risk, by challenging convictions where right to counsel was violated
Survivor Advocacy Project (SAP)
Represents survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in post-conviction proceedings to vacate convictions, seek resentencing under specialized laws, and clear criminal records
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Criminal Justice Policy Advocacy 7 activities
- Appellate Term misdemeanor conviction review projectOperates a project focused on identifying legal errors in misdemeanor and violation convictions from criminal court and mitigating their long-term consequences through appellate review and post-conviction remedies.
- Clemency advocacySubmits clemency applications for current and former clients, including pardons and sentence commutations, often working with clients over multiple years to prepare compelling advocacy materials.
- Federal habeas corpus and post-conviction litigation supportOperates a Federal Litigation Advisory Group (FLAG) that monitors federal legal developments, reviews cases for federal relief viability, updates a federal habeas manual, and supports attorneys in filing federal habeas corpus petitions and other post-conviction motions such as Article 440 motions and certiorari petitions.
- Forensic Science ProjectOperates the Forensic Science Project since 2018 to litigate and support litigation involving flawed or disputed forensic science evidence in criminal cases, challenging convictions based on unreliable expert testimony or methodologies.
- Impact litigation and legal advocacy to reform criminal justiceDevelops and implements impact litigation strategies aimed at changing the law through precedent-setting rulings that enhance liberty in criminal and civil cases, including monitoring significant legal developments in federal courts that may affect New York State law.
- Wrongful conviction and re-investigation workRe-investigates circumstances leading to client convictions to identify and address potential wrongful convictions, including uncovering withheld exculpatory evidence that can lead to vacatur of convictions.
- Youth and Emergent Adult Resentencing Project (YEARS)Operates the YEARS project to seek resentencing for young adults previously represented by CAL who remain incarcerated under harsh sentences, advocating for more just outcomes based on youth and rehabilitation.
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Legal Education and Career Pipeline Programs 2 activities
- Law student clinical training programProvides law students with supervised experience in criminal appellate practice, including reviewing trial records, identifying legal issues, conducting research, drafting briefs, and arguing cases in moot court or, with consent, before the Appellate Division, First Department. Includes weekly classroom instruction and individual mentoring.
- Pro bono collaboration with law firm associatesSupervises law firm associates in briefing and arguing criminal appeals in the Appellate Division, First Department, leveraging pro bono partnerships to expand representation capacity.
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Pro Bono Legal Representation and Support 1 activity
- Appellate representation for indigent criminal defendantsProvides high-quality appellate legal representation to indigent criminal defendants in cases assigned by New York courts, primarily in the Appellate Division, First Department and Appellate Term, First Department. Represents clients in appeals, files applications for leave to appeal to the New York Court of Appeals, and litigates selected cases in federal court when necessary.
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Prison and Jail Literacy Support 1 activity
- Books Beyond Bars programRuns the Books Beyond Bars project that provides reading materials to incarcerated individuals to reduce isolation and dehumanization associated with long prison sentences.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Client and community education initiativesPrepares and distributes a bi-monthly newsletter summarizing significant criminal appeals pending before the New York Court of Appeals, distributed to Chief Defenders and made publicly available online. Also provides educational materials about the appellate process and re-entry services for incarcerated individuals and their families.
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Durable Medical Equipment Loan Programs 1 activity
- Conditions of confinement and medical advocacyOperates a conditions of confinement project that assists incarcerated individuals in addressing medical needs, securing necessary equipment such as wheelchairs, and resolving transfer-related issues during incarceration.
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Reentry Support Services 1 activity
- Parole and re-entry advocacyAdvocates for early release through parole proceedings by preparing comprehensive letters and providing preparation support for individuals facing parole board hearings. Also operates a re-entry program that supports individuals transitioning back to civilian life after incarceration, including facilitating access to social services.
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Domestic Violence Survivor Support Services 1 activity
- Post-conviction relief for survivors of domestic violence and human traffickingProvides legal representation to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking seeking post-conviction relief, including resentencing under the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act and vacatur of convictions under the START Act and CPL § 440.10(1)(i).
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Former client employment initiativeHires one client or former client annually for a one-year administrative position, supporting reintegration and lived-experience inclusion within the organization.
- Immigration-related post-conviction advocacyChallenges criminal convictions and seeks post-conviction relief for noncitizen clients to prevent deportation, immigration detention, and family separation, including vacating marijuana-related convictions to enable lawful permanent residency and citizenship.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$13.36M
Contributions & grants$237K2%
Program service revenue$13.02M98%
Investment income$96K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$13.34M
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$11.09M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$11.39M
Cash$1.27M
Investments$0
Liabilities$6.00M
Net assets$5.39M
Liquid reserves1.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +1.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 9
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENAY NURSE GUILFORD | PRESIDENT/ DIRECTOR | 40 | $321K |
| MARK W ZENO | VP, SECRETARY | 40 | $293K |
| DAVID KLEM | TREASURER & MANAGING ATTORNEY | 40 | $241K |
| BARBARA ZOLOT | SENIOR APPELLATE COUNSEL | 40 | $222K |
| MATTHEW BOVA | SENIOR SUPERVISING ATTORNEY | 40 | $211K |
| JAN HOTH | LEAD APPELLATE COUNSEL | 40 | $202K |
| MARIANNE YANG | SENIOR SUPERVISING ATTORNEY | 40 | $202K |
| VANESSA MEIS | DIR OF TRIAL COURT LITIGATION | 40 | $200K |
| BENJAMIN WIENER | DIRECTOR OF STAFF | 40 | $175K |
board members · 6
- CORRINE A IRISH — DIRECTOR
- EARL WARD — DIRECTOR
- JUSTINE A HARRIS — DIRECTOR
- KARIM HUTSON — DIRECTOR
- LISA HOYES — DIRECTOR
- SUSAN J WALSH — DIRECTOR
relationships · 37
Who they work with
- Alexandra Mitter Partner — Coordinates the Federal Litigation Advisory Group
- Allison Kahl Partner — Coordinates the Federal Litigation Advisory Group
- Alma Gonzalez Partner — Coordinates the Federal Litigation Advisory Group
- Appellate Division, First Department Government — Assigns appellate cases to CAL from Manhattan and Bronx County convictions.
- Appellate Division, First Department Government — Assigns clients to the Center for Appellate Litigation for criminal appeals and post-conviction proceedings.
- Appellate Term, First Department Government — Assigns clients to the Center for Appellate Litigation for criminal appeals and post-conviction proceedings.
- Appellate Term, First Department Government — Assigns misdemeanor and violation appeals to CAL from Manhattan and Bronx criminal courts.
- Ben Schatz Partner — Coordinates the Federal Litigation Advisory Group
- Ben Wiener Partner — Coordinates the Federal Litigation Advisory Group
- Better Days alumni Partner — Former clients who participated in the Better Days program and have gone on to successful careers, serving as exemplars of the program's impact.
- Bronx Defenders Partner — Organization where board member Lisa Hoyes previously worked as a Supervising Attorney and where Earl S. Ward currently serves as Chairperson of the Board
- Columbia Law School Partner — Partners with CAL on a criminal appeals externship program co-taught by CAL attorneys.
- Columbia Law School Partner — Partnership to offer experiential externships and clinics for law students focused on appellate litigation.
- Cornell Law School Partner — Partners with CAL on the Appellate Criminal Defense Clinic, co-taught by CAL supervising attorney and law school faculty.
- Cornell Law School Partner — Partnership to offer experiential externships and clinics for law students focused on appellate litigation.
- Court of Appeals of New York State Government — Files appeals with the highest court in New York State.
- DOCCS Government — Engaged in advocacy with DOCCS’ Health Services and The Office of Counsel to secure medical equipment for an incarcerated client.
- Division of Criminal Justice Services Government — Interacts with the Division of Criminal Justice Services regarding SORA registration requirements for clients in New York.
- Division of Criminal Justice Services Government — Interacts with the Division of Criminal Justice Services regarding SORA registration requirements for individuals released after sex offense convictions.
- Equal Justice Initiative Partner — Organization where board member Lisa Hoyes was an NYU Fellow
- Esperanza Partner — Alternative to incarceration program where board member Earl S. Ward formerly served as board chair
- Federal Defenders’ office for the Eastern District of New York Partner — Former employer of board member Justine Harris as an assistant federal defender
- Federal District Court Government — Files habeas corpus petitions in federal district courts.
- Housing Works Partner — Organization for which board member Earl S. Ward serves as Chair of the Board
- Legal Aid Society Partner — Former employer of board member Earl S. Ward in the Criminal Defense Division
- Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights Division Partner — Former employer of board member Lisa Hoyes as a Soros Justice Postgraduate Fellow
- Matthew Bova Partner — Coordinates the Federal Litigation Advisory Group
- Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem Partner — Former employer of board member Earl S. Ward as a supervising attorney
- New York Civil Liberties Union Partner — Former employer of board member Earl S. Ward as a staff attorney
- New York State Unified Court System Government — Cases are assigned by New York courts in the Appellate Division First Department.
+ 7 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Client-Centered Holistic Defensemethodology: client_centered_holistic_defenseBy integrating legal advocacy with attention to clients’ social and personal circumstances, we produce more effective representation and better re-entry outcomes, because addressing systemic and non-legal factors increases the relevance and impact of legal interventions.
- Defender Community Knowledge Building and Trainingmethodology: defender_community_trainingBy training next-generation lawyers and pro bono partners through supervised, hands-on appellate work, we strengthen the broader public defense ecosystem, because experiential learning builds skilled advocates who carry systemic awareness into future practice.
- Second-Chance and Survivor-Centered Legal Reliefmethodology: second_chance_survivor_reliefBy advocating for resentencing and conviction relief based on human growth, trauma, and systemic inequity, we produce pathways to freedom and reintegration, because legal mechanisms like the DVSA and START Act recognize that past conduct should not permanently override demonstrated change and survival.
- Strategic and Innovative Appellate Advocacymethodology: strategic_innovative_advocacyBy selecting legally viable issues and pursuing innovative arguments—even in settled areas—we produce favorable appellate outcomes, because rigorous internal review and creative legal reasoning increase the likelihood of judicial reconsideration and precedent change.