Mission
THE CHIEF DEFENDERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK (CDANY) IS A VIBRANT ORGANIZATION UNITING THE LEADERSHIP OF NEW YORK STATE'S PROVIDERS OF THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL. CDANY WAS FOUNDED TO ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE FACING LOSS OF LIBERTY, FAMILY SEPARATION AND RELATED CONSEQUENCES IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM. WE DO THIS BY: STREGTHENING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR STAFF, COLLABORATING ON BEST PRACTICES FOR THE PROVISION OF HIGH QUALITY AND EFFECTIVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION, SEEKING TO INCREASE RESOURCES FOR OUR OFFICES AND PROGRAMS TO BEST SERVE OUR CLIENTS, ADVOCATING FOR LEGISLATION AND POLICIES TO ENSURE FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE IN OUR LEGAL SYSTEMS, AND ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. THE GOAL OF THE CHIEF DEFENDERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK IS TO UNITE THOSE WHO ADMINISTER ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING MANDATED LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN THE STATE AND ENHANCE THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AND THAT OF THEIR ORGANIZATIONS.