The Bronx Defenders have been on the picket lines for a week, while staff at Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem have been on strike for 11 calendar days. Legal services groups like The Bronx Defenders and Neighborhood Defender Service play a major role in the day-to-day operations of New York City’s high-volume court system. Bronx Defenders, alone, serves about 20,000 clients a year. Scott said The Bronx Defenders is sticking to an offer she thinks will alleviate high turnover among staff lawyers. Neighborhood Defender Service said in a statement that a federal mediator has been assigned to help with the bargaining process.