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Eliza Orlins

Public Defender + former Manhattan DA Candidate

Eliza Orlins is a public defender and staff attorney at The Legal Aid Society in New York City. She has represented over 3,000 New Yorkers who couldn't afford a lawyer during her decade-long career.12 Orlins is known for her advocacy for criminal justice reform and her work with vulnerable communities, particularly Black and Brown individuals and those from lower-income backgrounds.1

Born on December 25, 1982, Orlins grew up between New York and China, attending Hong Kong International School and later Sidwell Friends School.3 She graduated summa cum laude from Syracuse University in 2005 and cum laude from Fordham University School of Law in 2008.3

In addition to her legal career, Orlins has gained public recognition through her appearances on reality TV shows. She competed on CBS's Survivor twice, in 2004 and 2008, and also participated in The Amazing Race in 2019.13

In 2020, Orlins announced her candidacy for the 2021 Manhattan District Attorney election, running on a platform focused on transforming the criminal justice system.13 Although she finished seventh in the Democratic primary, her campaign highlighted her commitment to addressing inequities in the legal system.3

Orlins is also open about having ADHD, which she discusses in relation to her work and advocacy.4 She has been a member of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys Local 2325, part of UAW 9A, since 2009.1

Highlights

Jun 1 · linkedin

"In the annals of modern American politics, few figures have displayed a penchant for vengeance as blatantly as Trump."

I wrote this op-ed about how Trump and his supporters have reacted to his conviction and what is truly at stake.

A couple other quotes: "Since leaving office, Trump’s thirst for revenge has not abated. Instead, it has intensified, fueled by a desire to reassert his influence over the Republican Party and seek retribution against perceived enemies."

"Trump's vengeful politics extend beyond individual retribution; they threaten the institutional integrity of American democracy."

It's really important. I hope you will read it:

May 28 · linkedin

Everyone has heard tons and tons about Judge Juan Merchan recently, given he's the judge who is presiding over the Trump Trial, but on Wednesdays they break from the trial so he can preside over Mental Health Court. I've appeared in front of him for many years, and I'm grateful to Jacob Shamsian for speaking to me and including my thoughts in his piece on Mental Health Court.

I hope you'll check it out.

One of my favorite quotes of mine he used: "No one's ever come out of prison better than they went in," Eliza Orlins, a New York City public defender who has represented several defendants in the mental health court, told Business Insider. "And so if there are things that we can do to help people rather than just punish them, obviously it's much, much better for everyone."

Related Questions

What inspired Eliza Orlins to become a public defender?
How did her experience on Survivor influence her career in law?
What are some of Eliza Orlins's most notable cases at the Legal Aid Society?
How did Eliza Orlins's campaign for Manhattan DA impact her career?
What challenges did Eliza Orlins face during her campaign for Manhattan DA?
Eliza Orlins
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Location

New York, New York, United States