named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Amicus Brief Program
Files friend-of-the-court briefs in federal appellate and Supreme Court cases to advocate for constitutional criminal defense rights, including Sixth Amendment protections, limitations on federal fraud theories, and due process.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Criminal Justice Policy Advocacy 2 activities
- Advocates on criminal justice policy through formal legal interventionsFiles amicus curiae briefs in trial and appellate courts on significant legal issues affecting criminal defense, including sentencing, Sixth Amendment rights, and forfeiture procedures, to influence judicial outcomes and protect constitutional rights.
- Conducts research to inform criminal justice policy and practiceSupports research initiatives in the criminal justice system to generate insights that inform legal policy and improve defense practice.
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Legal Education Scholarships and Fellowships 1 activity
- Funds and presents awards recognizing contributions to criminal defenseRecognizes defense lawyers for outstanding contributions to the defense of liberty and preservation of individual rights through the annual Norman S. Ostrow Award.
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Professional Certification and Continuing Education 1 activity
- Hosts professional development and networking events for legal professionalsOrganizes a biennial weekend retreat, annual luncheon, informal member luncheons, and panel programs for defense lawyers, prosecutors, judges, and other legal professionals to discuss issues in criminal defense and foster professional dialogue.
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Legal Profession Standards Advocacy 1 activity
- Submits policy recommendations and monitors legal developmentsSubmits formal comments and proposed amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and monitors developments in ethics, legislation, and court rules affecting criminal defense practice to formulate organizational positions.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Manages selective membership process for experienced criminal defense attorneysOperates a membership-based organization requiring applicants to be experienced attorneys with over 10 years of legal practice, significant criminal law experience, bar admission in New York or federal district courts, and nomination by a current member.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$141K
Contributions & grants——
Program service revenue$141K100%
Investment income$130%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$143K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out$25K
balance sheet
Total assets$136K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$9K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -25.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 9
- CESAR DE CASTRO — DIRECTOR
- JAMES J BENJAMIN JR — DIRECTOR
- JOHNATHAN ABERNATHY — DIRECTOR
- JULIA GATTO — DIRECTOR
- KATHLEEN E CASSIDY — DIRECTOR
- LISA A CAHILL — DIRECTOR
- RANDALL JACKSON — DIRECTOR
- SAMIDH GUHA — DIRECTOR
- TORREY YOUNG — DIRECTOR
relationships · 6
Who they work with
- District Attorney for New York County Partner — Maintains a liaison committee that meets periodically to discuss issues of mutual concern
- Federal Defenders of New York Partner — Includes members from Federal Defender offices and collaborates through shared participation in NYCDL activities
- Jonathan Abernethy Partner — Chair of the Membership Committee responsible for receiving nomination materials
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Partner — Co-filed an amicus brief in USA v. Calvin Weaver
- New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Partner — Co-filed an amicus brief in USA v. Calvin Weaver
- United States Attorneys for the Southern and Eastern Districts Partner — Maintains liaison committees that meet periodically to discuss issues of mutual concern
strategies · 3
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.
- Cross-Institutional Dialogue to Improve Defense Understandingmethodology: cross-institutional-dialogueBy fostering informal dialogue between defense lawyers, prosecutors, and judges, the organization improves institutional understanding of defense issues, because sustained interpersonal engagement across adversarial roles builds empathy and promotes systemic respect for constitutional safeguards.
- Legal Education and Advocacy for Constitutional Defensemethodology: legal-education-and-advocacyBy providing legal education, policy advocacy, and professional development, the organization strengthens criminal defense representation and protects constitutional rights, because well-informed and ethically grounded defense lawyers are more effective in upholding fair trial rights and resisting prosecutorial overreach.
- Strategic Litigation Advocacy on Constitutional Groundsmethodology: confrontation-clause-advocacy, anti-right-to-control-theoryBy challenging specific prosecutorial practices—such as redacted co-defendant confessions and the "right-to-control" theory in fraud cases—the organization protects Sixth Amendment rights and limits overcriminalization, because precedent-setting litigation can constrain prosecutorial overreach and affirm core constitutional protections.