What Queens Defenders does

Queens Defenders is a nonprofit legal services organization founded in 1996 and headquartered in Forest Hills, Queens, NY. It provides indigent criminal defense representation—clients are assigned by the court following arrest and cannot afford private counsel—alongside immigration legal services, anti-eviction/housing court representation, and a social work team that connects clients to community resources. The organization served over 500,000 people since inception and represents roughly 20,000 Queens residents annually across its three locations (Forest Hills headquarters, Jamaica Justice Center, and Rockaway Community Justice Center).

The organization's service portfolio extends well beyond traditional legal defense into a community-justice model. Programs include the BLANK Project youth activism initiative, Youth Justice Court (a peer-led restorative justice program with 170+ trained student advocates since 2010), the Justice 456 Initiative (constitutional rights education), the DOVE domestic violence program, a Food Pantry serving nearly 10,000 residents per month, a Housing Navigator team, and the Immediate Access technology re-entry program in partnership with Queens Public Library. The only notable technology integration is a third-party partnership with JusticeText, whose ML-driven audiovisual evidence platform is used to transcribe and search body camera footage, interrogation videos, and jail calls—rolled out organization-wide after an internal pilot.

Revenue mechanics are typical of a large urban nonprofit legal services provider: the bulk of funding flows from New York City government contracts (NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development, Queens District Attorney's Office, NYC Council DOVE Initiative), with supplementary grants (Institute of Museum and Library Services, NYC Council discretionary funds) and charitable donations. Clients do not pay for services. The organization is a member of the Justice Roadmap coalition alongside Brooklyn Defenders, The Bronx Defenders, The Legal Aid Society, NYCLU, and others, and maintains 30+ partnerships with food banks, schools, NYPD precincts, housing agencies, and community-based organizations. A material governance event occurred in February 2026 when former Executive Director and Founder Lori Zeno pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for stealing over $300,000 in public funds.

Name

Queens Defenders

Legal name

Queens Defenders

Website

https://queensdefenders.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Queens Defenders is a nonprofit legal services organization founded in 1996 providing indigent criminal defense, immigration, anti-eviction representation, and holistic social services to Queens, NY residents through court-assigned representation and community justice centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Defense Legal Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Parole Offices and Probation Offices (92215), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Criminal Defense (BPAHAAAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civil Liberties & Constitutional Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAA), Criminal Justice Reform & Legal System Advocacy (BPAGAFAI), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAD)

Keywords

• Public defense services
• Indigent criminal defense
• Legal aid services
• Community justice programs
• Immigration legal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Forest Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Queens Defenders is a public defender organization providing legal representation to poor defendants who cannot afford private counsel. The organization receives government funding to provide indigent defense services.
2. Donations and Grants: The organization accepts charitable donations from individuals and receives grant funding from various sources including government agencies, foundations, and corporate sponsors for specific programs such as youth development, food security, and housing services.
3. Government Contracts: Queens Defenders has been awarded contracts with NYC government agencies including NYC Housing Preservation & Development for Housing Navigator Services and grants from Queens District Attorney's Office for youth development programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Queens Defenders is a nonprofit public defender organization providing court-assigned legal representation to indigent defendants in Queens County who cannot afford private counsel. Its core offerings span four legal service lines — criminal defense, immigration legal services, anti-eviction representation, and social work support — alongside a broad network of community programs including two community justice centers (Rockaway and Jamaica), youth restorative justice programs, food and housing assistance, domestic violence support, and reentry services.

Product overview

Queens Defenders is a legal services nonprofit organization providing comprehensive indigent criminal defense representation in Queens County since 1996. Its portfolio comprises four core legal service lines — Criminal Defense, Immigration Legal Services, Anti-Eviction Representation, and Social Work Services — alongside an extensive network of community programs including the Rockaway Community Justice Center and Jamaica Justice Center. Community-facing programs include the BLANK Project (youth social justice activism), Youth Justice Court (peer-led restorative justice), the Justice 456 Initiative (constitutional rights education), the DOVE Program (domestic violence support), a Food Pantry Program, a Housing Navigator Program, the Immediate Access: Technology Re-entry Program (in partnership with Queens Public Library), and broader Youth Development Programs offering mentorship, tutoring, and summer internships. These programs collectively served over 450,000 people since 1996.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Justice 456 Initiative: Educational program teaching community members about their Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights
• Food Pantry / Food Justice Program
• DOVE Program
• Youth Justice Court
• BLANK Project
• Rockaway Community Justice Center
• Jamaica Justice Center

Products and services

• Criminal Defense
• Immigration Legal Services
• Anti-Eviction Representation
• Social Work Services
• Youth Justice Court
• BLANK Project (Building Leaders in A New Kulture)
• Food Pantry Program
• Housing Navigator Program
• Immediate Access: Technology Re-entry Program
• Rockaway Community Justice Center
• Jamaica Justice Center
• Justice 456 Initiative
• DOVE Program (Domestic Violence & Empowerment)
• Credible Messengers Mentoring Program
• Community Outreach

Quantifiable outcome

• Served over 500,000 people since 1996 and represents 20,000+ Queens residents annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• JusticeTextcoreTechnology or IntegrationQueens Defenders partnered with JusticeText, an audiovisual evidence management software company, to expedite review of discovery materials including body camera footage, interrogation videos, and jail calls. The software provides automated transcription using machine learning with custom vocabulary support.
• Queens Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Queens Public Library on the Immediate Access: Technology Re-entry Program, which provides recently released parolees with mobile devices, data plans, and Tech Navigator support to access services, complete housing applications, and apply for jobs.
• NYC Department of Housing Preservation & DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContract with NYC HPD to provide Housing Navigator Services out of the Rockaway Community Justice Center and Jamaica Justice Center, helping Emergency Housing Voucher recipients secure permanent, stable housing.
• JEWELEXcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJEWELEX partnered with Queens Defenders Food Pantry to expand food distribution events to the Jamaica Justice Center. JEWELEX has also sponsored Community Outreach programs and conducted winter coat drives, donating over 100 coats.
• Food Bank for NYCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in the Queens Defenders Food Pantry program, helping distribute thousands of boxes of emergency supplies weekly.
• 9 Million ReasonsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting the Queens Defenders Food Pantry program and food distribution events.
• The Campaign Against HungermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting the Queens Defenders Food Pantry program.
• SafeHorizonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Domestic Violence & Empowerment (DoVE) Program, providing intensive, personalized support for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
• NYPD 101st PrecinctmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Domestic Violence & Empowerment (DoVE) Program and various community engagement initiatives.
• Queens District Attorney's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant funding through the Queens Community Youth Development and Crime Prevention Program. Queens Defenders works closely with the DA's office to obtain referrals and prevent further court involvement for young people.
• Community Healthcare NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Queens Defenders to conduct COVID-19 vaccination sites at the Jamaica Justice Center, providing 120 Moderna shots and 300 Johnson & Johnson vaccinations.
• Investors BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided financial literacy workshop for Queens Defenders Young Adult Leaders.
• NYC Department of EducationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NYC DOE for Youth Restorative Justice program and school-based Youth Justice Court programming at Queens Libraries and high schools.
• NYC Council Member Selvena Brooks-PowersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant provider for Holiday Extravaganza and Domestic Violence Programming through the DOVE Initiative.
• Promise Church / Queens Borough President Donovan RichardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing food donations for Holiday Extravaganza events.
• Queens Borough President Donovan RichardsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer Councilmember who helped found Queens Defenders Youth programs in 2013. Currently Queens Borough President supporting community initiatives.
• Brooklyn DefendersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJustice Roadmap coalition partner advocating for criminal justice reform legislation.
• The Bronx DefendersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJustice Roadmap coalition partner advocating for criminal justice reform legislation.
• The Legal Aid SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJustice Roadmap coalition partner advocating for criminal justice reform legislation.
• New York Immigration CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJustice Roadmap coalition partner advocating for immigrant rights and criminal justice reform.
• NYCLU (New York Civil Liberties Union)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJustice Roadmap coalition partner advocating for civil liberties and criminal justice reform.
• Center for Community AlternativesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJustice Roadmap coalition partner advocating for decarceration and criminal justice reform.
• The Greenburger CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ongoing webinar series on the criminalization of mental illness alongside other NYC public defender organizations.
• John Jay College of Criminal JusticemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in panel discussions on criminal justice issues, hosting events on criminalization of mental illness.
• St. John's Home for BoysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQueens Defenders works with residents of St. John's Home for Boys weekly, providing workshops and restorative services twice per week.
• Fresh DirectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood partner supporting the Queens Defenders Food Pantry program.
• Rockaway Mutual AidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting the Queens Defenders Food Pantry program.
• Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway PeninsulaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting the Queens Defenders Food Pantry program.
• Hour ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting the Queens Defenders Food Pantry program.
• NYCHAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting the Queens Defenders Food Pantry program.
• Beach 40th Street Tenant AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting the Queens Defenders Food Pantry program.
• Rockaway Greek CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting the Queens Defenders Food Pantry program.
• Mr. Mak's GinBao LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting the Queens Defenders Food Pantry program.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• The Fortune Society: The Fortune Society provides reentry support, alternatives to incarceration, and housing services for formerly incarcerated individuals in New York. Its reentry and justice-involved services overlap with Queens Defenders' Immediate Access technology program and community justice centers.
• Make the Road New York: Make the Road New York provides legal services, advocacy, and community organizing for immigrant and working-class communities in New York. Its immigration legal services and anti-eviction work overlap materially with Queens Defenders' portfolio.
• Safe Horizon: Safe Horizon is a large New York City social services nonprofit providing domestic violence, criminal justice, and youth services. It is a direct operational partner with Queens Defenders in the DOVE Program and serves overlapping client populations.
• New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU): NYCLU is the New York affiliate of the ACLU focused on civil liberties litigation, advocacy, and criminal justice reform. It is a Justice Roadmap coalition partner with Queens Defenders but emphasizes impact litigation and policy rather than direct defense representation.

Direct peers

• Center for Community Alternatives: CCA provides alternatives to incarceration, reentry support, and youth justice programs across New York State. It is a Justice Roadmap coalition partner with overlapping restorative justice and youth development missions relative to Queens Defenders.
• The Legal Aid Society: The Legal Aid Society is New York City's largest public defender organization, providing criminal defense, civil, and juvenile rights representation citywide. It is a Justice Roadmap coalition partner and the dominant peer in the same operating geography.
• The Bronx Defenders: The Bronx Defenders operates a holistic, interdisciplinary public defender model in the Bronx combining criminal defense, civil, immigration, and social work services. It is a Justice Roadmap coalition partner with Queens Defenders and serves as the closest operational peer.
• Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem: NDS Harlem is a community-based public defender organization in Harlem employing a holistic defense model. It is directly comparable in service approach, scale, and target population to Queens Defenders.
• Brooklyn Defenders: Brooklyn Defenders is a holistic public defender organization serving Brooklyn with integrated criminal defense, civil, immigration, and social services. Directly comparable to Queens Defenders in mission, service model, and Justice Roadmap coalition membership.
• New York County Defender Services: NYCDS is a public defender organization in Manhattan offering criminal defense representation to indigent defendants. Comparable in mission and funding model (court-assigned cases, government contracts) though narrower in service scope than Queens Defenders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=MGi8HSQUOhs
• Xx.com/queensdefenders
• Facebookfacebook.com/QueensDefenders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/queensdefenders

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Queens Defenders