Announcements Archives

September 25, 2020
Agenda and Documentation
Video of ILS Board Meeting September 25, 2020

August 11, 2020
ILS Releases 2020 Statewide Quality Improvement Report

July 1, 2020
ILS Report on Progress Implementing Hurrell-Harring Reforms Statewide

June 12, 2020
Minutes of Board Meeting June 5, 2020

June 3, 2020
Notice Regarding June 5, 2020 ILS Board Meeting
Minutes of Board Meeting April 24, 2020
Video of Board Meeting April 24, 2020, Joined in Progress

April 20, 2020
Notice Regarding April 24, 2020 ILS Board Meeting

April 13, 2020
Three Filing Deadlines Extended to June 1, 2020

April 3, 2020
FY 2020-21 ILS Budget Summary
Director Leahy's Budget Transmittal Memo

March 17, 2020
Annual Financial Report and ILS 195 Filing Deadlines Extended to April 30, 2020

February 18, 2020
ILS Releases Updated Second RIAC RFP Questions and Answers
ILS Releases Second RFP for Regional Immigration Service Centers

February 10, 2020
ILS Releases Implementing Caseload Relief and Quality Initiatives in Assigned Counsel Programs
ILS Releases Second RIAC RFP Questions and Answers

January 2020
ILS Releases Implementing Caseload Relief in the Hurrell-Harring Counties

January 7, 2020
ILS Releases RFP for Regional Immigration Service Centers
Upstate Model Parent Representation Office Grant Recipient Announced

December 24, 2019
Director Leahy's Christmas 2019 Message

November 4, 2019
ILS Submits FY 2020-21 Budget Request
Director Leahy's Transmittal Message
Obituary of Jonathan Gradess NYT

October 10, 2019
The ILS Office will close at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10; to honor the life and career of public defense champion Jonathan Gradess, and to permit his many friends among ILS staff to attend the Celebration of his life this afternoon.

September 20, 2019
Chief Judge DiFiore presents Public Appreciation of Alphonso David

August 29, 2019
Plans submitted by ILS on December 1, 2017 pursuant to Executive Law § 832 (4)
Statewide Expansion Caseload Plan
Statewide Expansion Counsel at Arraignment Plan
Statewide Expansion Quality Improvement Plan

August 7, 2019
SIGN UP NOW!
Criminal appeals and post-conviction practice CLE, presented by ILS and NYSDA
September 13 in Albany - 6 credits, including 2 ethics credits

June 27, 2019
NY Law Journal: ILS Announces Publication of Assigned Counsel Program Standards
Director Leahy's Transmittal Memo

June 25, 2019
Nora Christenson: Hurrell-Harring Providers Meet ILS Caseload Standards

Director Leahy's Transmittal Memo

June 21, 2019
Upstate Model Family Representation Office Q&A

June 20, 2019
ILS Releases Assigned Counsel Standards
ACP Standards - Black Letter
ACP Standards - Black Letter With Commentaries
Director Leahy's Transmittal Memo

May 24, 2019
ILS Releases Upstate Model Family Representation Office RFP [pdf]

May 22, 2019
Public Hearings on Financial Eligibility for Assignment of Counsel in Family Matters [pdf]

April 16, 2019
SIGN UP NOW! [pdf]
High-quality appellate CLE
Presented by ILS and NYSDA
May 17 in Albany.
Featuring critical criminal defense topics and appellate leaders from throughout the State.

February 13, 2019
Director Leahy's E-Mail re NYT Caseload Article of January 31, 2019 [pdf]
Director Leahy's Letter to NYT [pdf]

February 5, 2019
ILS Employment Notice
Assistant Counsel (Statewide Implementation Attorney - Counsel at First Appearance)

October 26, 2018
FY 2019-20 Budget Request [pdf]
Transmittal Memo to ILS Board [pdf]

June 12, 2018
First Meeting of New Criminal Defense Advisory Group Announced [pdf]

April 11, 2018
NYS Parent Attorney Perspectives Podcast 2: Practice Tips for Improving Parenting Time [mp3]

Podcast 2 Materials
Cover and Materials List [pdf]
CFR Cornerstone Advocacy for Solo Practitioners Visiting [pdf]
CFR Small Adjustments Visiting [pdf]
CFR Order to Show Cause and Affirmation In Support [pdf]
Hiscock Notice of Motion to Modify and Supporting Affidavit and Affirmation [pdf]

March 19, 2018
55th Anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright
Director Leahy's Indiana Law Review Article on The Right to Counsel in New York [pdf]
Transmittal Message [pdf]

February 28, 2018
ILS / NYSDA 2018 Families Matter Conference Agenda [pdf]
2018 Ella B. Family Justice Award Announcement [pdf]
2018 Ella B. Family Justice Award Nominating Form [pdf]

February 6, 2018
Chief Judge DiFiore's State of Our Judiciary Address [pdf]
Transmittal Message [pdf]

January 31, 2018
Director Leahy's FY 2018-19 Budget Hearing Testimony Video [mp4]
Transcript [pdf]
Transmittal Message [pdf]

January 16, 2018
Executive Budget FY 2018-2019 [pdf]
Director Leahy's Budget Message [pdf]

December 21, 2017
Director's End-of-Year Message [pdf]

December 6, 2017
Quality Improvement Funding Distribution 8 [pdf]
Transmittal Memo [pdf]

December 1, 2017
ILS files Plans for Statewide Extension of Criminal Defense Reforms [pdf]
Statewide Reform Statutes April 2017 [pdf]

November 22, 2017
New York State Parent Attorney Perspectives Podcast #1: Statewide Family Visiting Policy for Children in Foster Care, 17-OCFS-ADM-14 [mp3]

November 8, 2017
Sixth Annual Report of the Indigent Legal Services Board [pdf]

October 30, 2017
Hurrell-Harring Settlement Implementation: 2017 Update Report [pdf]

October 18, 2017
ILS Budget Request for FY 2018-19 [pdf]

October 11, 2017
ILS Comments on Proposed Fee Increases for Court-Appointed Experts [pdf]

October 5, 2017
Family Visiting Policy for Children in Foster Care
ILS Announcement of OCFS Policy [pdf]
OCFS Administrative Directive October 5, 2017 [pdf]

October 3, 2017
Centralized Arraignment Parts Approved
Director Leahy's Announcement [pdf]
Unified Court System Press Release [pdf]

September 1, 2017
Cynthia Feathers Joins ILS September 5, 2017 [pdf]

August 28, 2017
Questions and Answers for Second Upstate Quality Improvement and Caseload Reduction RFP - Final August 28, 2017 [pdf]

July 26, 2017
ILS Seeks To Fill 4 Positions:
Special Assistant (Statewide Implementation Analyst)
Special Assistant (Statewide Implementation Researcher)
Confidential Legal Assistant (Statewide Implementation Paralegal)
Special Assistant (Grants Administrator)

June 9, 2017
ILS Receives Award From NYSBA Committee On Mandated Representation
Award Letter [pdf]
Award Ceremony Brochure [pdf]

June 1, 2017
Joanne Macri Appointed Chief Statewide Implementation Attorney
Announcement [pdf]

May 22, 2017
ILS Handouts For County Attorneys Association of NY Meeting [pdf]

May 18, 2017
ILS Seeks Statewide Implementation Attorney - NYC
and
Statewide Implementation Attorney - Caseload Standards

May 10, 2017
ILS Director Bill Leahy's Message Regarding New Caseload Standards [pdf]
Final Caseload Standards Report [pdf]
Sixth Amendment Center Commentary On ILS Caseload Standards [pdf]

May 9, 2017
ILS Seeks Statewide Implementation Attorney - Counsel at First Appearance
and
Statewide Implementation Attorney - Quality Enhancement

May 5, 2017
ILS Releases Tentative Awardees List from Second Counsel At First Appearance RFP [pdf]

May 2, 2017
Video: ILS Conducts Kickoff Meeting for the Statewide Implementation of Hurrell-Harring Reforms [mp4]
Meeting Agenda and Documents [pdf]

April 18, 2017
Questions and Answers For Parent Representation RFP [pdf]

April 11, 2017
ILS Seeks to Hire Statewide Chief Implementation Attorney

April 10, 2017
ILS Director Leahy's Message Regarding The FY2017-2018 Budget [pdf]
Statewide Reform Statutes April 2017 [pdf]

April 4, 2017
ILS Releases Implementation of Eligibility Criteria and Procedures in the Hurrell-Harring Counties [pdf]

March 27, 2017
The Impact of Eligibility Standards - Suffolk County Addendum - March 2017 [pdf]

March 20, 2017
ILS Releases RFP for Upstate Model Parental Representation Office [pdf]

March 13, 2017
ILS Is Searching For A Director of Quality Enhancement, Appellate and Post-Conviction Representation

February 6, 2017
ILS Releases Questions And Responses for CAFA 2 RFP [pdf]

January 31, 2017
Director Leahy's Budget Testimony [pdf]
ILS Releases The Impact of Eligibility Standards in Five Upstate New York Counties [pdf]

January 6, 2017
ILS Releases its Second Counsel at First Appearance RFP [pdf]

December 9, 2016
ILS Seeks to Hire
Assistant Grants Manager

November 29, 2016
NYLJ: New Law Allows Centralized Arraignments Outside New York City [pdf]
Centralized Arraignments Bill
Transmittal Memo From ILS Director and Counsel To ILS Board and Chief Defenders [pdf]

November 10, 2016
ILS Releases Hurrell-Harring
Quality Improvement Plan, Updated November 2016 [pdf]
and
Counsel At Arraignment Plan, Updated November 2016 [pdf]

November 8, 2016
ILS Releases the Estimate of the Cost of Compliance with Maximum National Caseload Limits in Upstate New York - 2015 Update [pdf]

October 30, 2016
Post Budget Submission Updates
Transmittal Message [pdf]
DOB Counsel At First Appearance Plan July 13, 2016 [pdf]
Hurrell-Harring Final Settlement Execution Copy October 21, 2014 [pdf]
Right To Counsel Agenda October 25, 2016 [pdf]

October 18, 2016
ILS FY 2017-18 Budget Request [pdf]

Coming October 14-15, 2016:
Families Matter 2016, Albany Hilton [pdf]

August 8, 2016
COMING AUGUST 18:
Webinar: A Graduate Student’s Guide to Getting Involved in Indigent Defense Research

February 11, 2016
ILS Releases Hurrell-Harring Caseload Standards RFP

January 4, 2016
New Family Court Legislation [pdf]

November 12, 2015
ILS Releases Hurrell-Harring Final Quality Improvement Plan [pdf] and Final Counsel At Arraignment Plan [pdf]

November 06, 2015
ILS Releases Cost of Compliance Estimate for 2014 [pdf]
ILS Board Fourth Annual Report Released [pdf]
ILS Releases Parental Representation Standards [pdf]

October 29, 2015
Conference On Quality Legal Representation: Definition, Measurement, Theory and Practice

October 6, 2015
NYLJ: Family Court To Get Advice On Issues Of Immigration [pdf]
Watertown Times: Meeting Brings County Legislators Together To Back Indigent Defense Bill [pdf]

October 5, 2015
ILS Hires Lisa Robertson as Hurrell-Harring Eligibility Standards Implementation Attorney
ILS Hires Nora Christenson as Hurrell-Harring Caseload Relief Implementation Attorney
ILS Hires Deborah Schneer as Hurrell-Harring Counsel At Arraignment Implementation Attorney

October 4, 2015
Times Union: Transfer Counties' Indigent Lawyer Service Costs To New York State [pdf]

September 14, 2015
ILS Hires Amanda Oren as Hurrell-Harring Quality Improvement Implementation Attorney

September 9, 2015
ILS Seeks To Fill 2 New Positions:
Confidential Legal Assistant Hurrell-Harring Implementation Paralegal
Special Assistant Hurrell-Harring Implementation Research Assistant

August 27, 2015
NYLJ: Indigent Representation - Post-Conviction Best Practices, by ILS' Risa Gerson and Nassau County LAS' Tammy Feman [pdf]

August 5, 2015
NYLJ: Brooklyn Indigents Benefit From Caseload Caps, Report Shows [pdf]
Brooklyn Case Caps Study April 2015 [pdf]

July 13, 2015
Huffington Post: New York Leads The Way On Immigrant Defense [pdf]

July 12, 2015
Albany Times-Union Editorial Advocates State Funding For ALL Counties [pdf]

July 9, 2015
NYLJ: State Distributes $8.1M For Immigrant Legal Centers [pdf]

July 7, 2015
NYLJ: Hearings To Consider Public Defense Guidelines [pdf]

July 6, 2015
Grants Awarded For Regional Immigration Assistance Centers
Announcement Letter [pdf]
Award List [pdf]

July - August, 2015
ILS To Conduct Public Hearings On Eligibility For Assigned Counsel [pdf]

June 23, 2015
Patricia Warth Joins ILS As Chief Hurrell-Harring Implementation Attorney
Announcement [pdf]

May 1, 2015
ILS Seeks To Hire Hurrell-Harring Implementation Attorneys For These Areas:
Counsel At First Appearance
Quality Enhancement
Caseload Standards
Eligibility Standards

April, 2015
ABA Publishes Why Gather Data On Parent Representation? [pdf] by ILS Staff Angela Burton and Andrew Davies

March 27, 2015
Director Leahy Comments on ILS Budget For FY 2015-2016 [pdf]

March 18, 2015
NYLJ: Judge Approves Hurrell-Harring Settlement [pdf]

March 13, 2015
Deadline To Apply For Chief Harrell-Hurring Implementation Attorney Extended To April 3, 2015

March 6, 2015
ILS Seeks To Hire An Assistant Grants Manager - Deadline To Apply March 27, 2015

February 20, 2015
NY Times: Bold Plans For New York Courts [pdf]

February 17, 2015
Chief Judge Lippman's State Of The Judiciary Report [pdf]

February 13, 2015
ILS Seeks To Hire Chief Hurrell-Harring Implementation Attorney

January 8, 2015
NYLJ: Standards Issued For Counsel On Indigent Criminal Appeals [pdf]

January 5, 2015
Appellate Standards Released [pdf]

December 24, 2014
Third Revised RFP For Immigration Assistance Centers [pdf]
Proposal Due Date Friday, January 16, 2015

December 9, 2014
Questions and Answers For Second Revised RFP For Immigration Assistance Centers [pdf]
Question Period For Second Revised RFP For Immigration Assistance Centers Is Now Over

December 3, 2014
Second Revised RFP For Immigration Assistance Centers [pdf]
Questions Due By: Friday, December 5
Questions Posted By: Tuesday, December 9
Proposal Due Date: Tuesday, December 30

November 25, 2014
Time Period for Questions and Answers Regarding RFP for Immigration Assistance Centers Has Now Ended

November 17, 2014
Questions and Responses re RFP For Immigration Assistance Centers as of November 17, 2014 [pdf]

November 10, 2014
NY Law Journal: Indigent Legal Services OKs $950K Budget Boost [pdf]

October 26, 2014
NY Times: A Rare Victory For Public Defense [pdf]

October 22, 2014
Revised RFP for Immigration Assistance Centers Now Available [pdf]

October 21, 2014
Questions and Responses re RFP For Immigration Assistance Centers as of October 21, 2014 [pdf]

October 1, 2014
NY Law Journal
Proposals Sought To Run Immigration Help Centers [pdf]

September 29, 2014
NY Law Journal
Indigent Defense Seeks Funding Increase To Fill Gap [pdf]

September 26, 2014
Board Sets Upstate Caseload Limits Contingent on State Funding [pdf]

September 24, 2014
ILS Releases Estimate of Cost of Compliance With Maximum National Caseload Limits in Upstate New York [pdf]

September 23, 2014
RFP for Immigration Assistance Centers Now Available

June 8, 2014
Chief Judge Lippman's Speech AT NYSBA Indigent Defense Conference [pdf]

May 23, 2014
Albany Times Union
Public Defender Relief Is Coming [pdf]

April 5, 2014
Director Leahy Addresses The European Association For American Studies in The Hague, Netherlands [pdf]

March 26, 2014
ILS is seeking a research intern for Summer 2014.
Click here to apply.

February 19, 2014
Albany Times Union
Albany Public Defenders To Start Overnight Shifts [pdf]

February 5, 2014
Director Leahy's 2014-2015 Budget Testimony [pdf]

December 17, 2013
Oneida County Public Defender's Office Gets A Boost [pdf]

December 11, 2013
ILS Office Releases Estimate of Cost of Compliance With National Caseload Standards in Upstate New York
Report [pdf]
Transmittal Memo [pdf]
Executive Summary [pdf]

December 6, 2013
ILS Board Releases Second Annual Report [pdf]

December 4, 2013
USDC Western District of Washington: Budgetary Deficiencies, High Caseloads No Defense To Sixth Amendment Violations [pdf]

November 13, 2013
2014 Quality Improvement Funds (Distribution 4) [pdf]
Contract Amounts [pdf]

October 15, 2013
ILS Budget Request for FY 2014-2015 [pdf]
ABA Supports Indigent Defense Commission [pdf]

October 10, 2013
Until Civil Gideon: Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman To Speak At Fordham University Law School November 1 [pdf]

October 4, 2013
RFP For Upstate Quality Improvement and Caseload Reduction: Final Questions and Answers [pdf]

October 3, 2013
Letter to Albany Times Union: Cuomo Can Create Model For Defense [pdf]

September 26, 2013
Maryland Supreme Court Orders Attorneys at First Appearance [pdf]
Text of Maryland Opinion [pdf]
Albany Times Union Editorial - Defense For The Poor [pdf]

September 25, 2013 - Albany Times Union [pdf]
Still No Resolution In Public Defender Suit [pdf]

August 22, 2013
RFP For Upstate Quality Improvement and Caseload Reduction Is Released [pdf]
RFP Questions and Answers [pdf]

August 8, 2013
25 Counties Get Grants To Provide Counsel At Arraignment [pdf]

July, 2013
Appellate and Parent Representation in Child Protection Proceedings Standards and Best Practices Workgroups Convene