About the Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD)
OAD is the oldest institutional provider in New York City whose sole focus is appellate representation. For 35 years, OAD has stood as a beacon of hope for people at the intersection of poverty and injustice. Our clients have been convicted of felony offenses in Manhattan and/or the Bronx and have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment and post-release supervision. Despite the circumstances of our clients’ offenses, convictions, and sentences, we believe in the humanity and dignity of every human being which informs our client-centered, trauma-informed advocacy. We are a beloved community of colleagues who are dedicated to public defense, access to justice, and racial equity.
Overview of the role
As a Senior Staff Attorney at OAD you will report to a supervisory team but will collaborate with various Supervising Attorneys on case assignments. A Senior Staff Attorney is expected to work independently with minimal supervision. As a senior staff attorney, you will represent people who cannot afford legal representation and who have been convicted of felonies in Manhattan and the Bronx on direct appeal, as well as in post-conviction motions and/or hearings, hearings to determine classification level pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA), or in related litigation. You will have a proven track record of in-depth knowledge and experience with criminal cases, which will include cases with complex issues and/or large records. As senior staff attorney you will have demonstrated commitment to representing people who are indigent and convicted of crimes and be energized by the opportunity to leverage your knowledge and experience for OAD’s continued success and sustainability.
What You Will Do
-Carry a caseload consisting of direct appeals, post-conviction motions and hearings pursuant to NY CPL 440, and other post-conviction relief such as hearings to determine classification level pursuant to SORA; federal habeas corpus challenges to state court convictions; and parole proceedings and re-entry preparation.
-Develop the attorney-client relationship by visiting incarcerated clients and communicating with them through a trauma-informed lens.
-Set and meet quarterly case goals as well as adhering to organizational and administrative protocols and policies.
-Advise clients on all potential appellate options, including withdrawal of guilty pleas, where appropriate, as well as negotiating pleas or other remedies following reversal of convictions.
-Develop leadership and supervision skills by working with legal interns on all aspects of client representation by conferencing issues, developing strategy, reviewing, and revising briefs.
-Participate with all legal staff to prepare and moot for oral argument.
Who You Are
1. Experienced. You are a member, in good standing, of a bar in any jurisdiction and possess or can obtain NY licensure within six months of hiring. You have extensive experience, a minimum of 5 years of relevant litigation experience and a minimum of 4 years in appellate practice; excellent research, writing and oral argument skills; and a demonstrated commitment to public defense.
2. Leader. You possess a people-centric and inclusive approach to managing relationships in the workplace. You do not fear change and are solution-oriented when differences arise and consider innovative and creative approaches to advocacy.
3. Culturally Aware and Sensitive. You understand what it means to work with and for individuals whose backgrounds and lived experiences are different from your own with sensitivity and humility. You are willing to learn more about the impacted and marginalized identities of people served by the organization and bring your awareness to all the work you do.
4. Clear Communicator. You can communicate clearly and concisely. You provide useful feedback to the people working with you. You adopt an organizational voice to ensure written or oral communications are consistent with the inclusive culture we strive to maintain and build upon.
5. Collaborative. You work effectively across roles to create a holistic environment to best address client needs.
6. Passionate. You care deeply about people served by OAD and are enthusiastic about challenging the inequities of the criminal justice system.
7. Agile. You have strong organizational and case management skills and have demonstrated success navigating gray areas in the law and working with competing priorities. You maintain composure and positivity in stressful situations. You are willing to take on new projects as the needs of the office or practice change.
To join our community, please apply with a cover letter, resume and writing sample at https://recruiting.myapps.paychex.com/appone/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=6005736.
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Your cover letter must: (1) explain your alignment with OAD’s mission, values and/or advocacy approach; and (2) what skills or experiences make you a strong candidate.