Amid a continuing crisis in the federal courts, and ongoing questions regarding the legitimacy of acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, the state’s criminal defense lawyers are looking for a seat at the table in the federal case that is now a focal point of the dispute over her.

The controversy over Alina Habba’s appointment as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor grew this week as judges paused criminal cases amid a challenge by defendants who say she doesn’t legally hold the job.