The New York City Bar Association announced the formation of a joint task force with the county bar associations to address concerns surrounding the NYC Assigned Counsel Plan (ACP). This initiative, led by attorneys David Patton, Philip Desgranges, and Justine Olderman, seeks to evaluate the plan that appoints lawyers for indigent individuals in criminal and family courts who aren’t covered by institutional providers.
With about 600 attorneys handling 30,000 cases and aiding roughly 100,000 clients annually, many legal professionals have departed owing to burnout and stagnant pay conditions. The task force’s formation follows new standards implemented by the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services, coupled with recent investments at both city and state levels. The task force aims to review the structure, funding, training, and services of New York City’s ACP.