Supervising Attorney

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Job location
42 Broadway
14th Floor
New York, NY 10033
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Office of the Appellate Defender
Street address: 
42 Broadway, 14th Floor
City: 
New York
State: 
New York
ZIP: 
10033
Job type: 
Legal - Defender
Position Description: 

Providing holistic post-conviction representation to indigent persons convicted of felonies in Manhattan and the Bronx, including but not limited to:
Litigating direct appeals in the Appellate Division and the New York Court of Appeals, including assisting with intake evaluation of cases;
Advising clients as to all potential appellate options, including withdrawal of appeals, where appropriate, as well as negotiating alternative dispositions such as substituted pleas or remedies following reversal of conviction;
Litigating post-conviction motions and hearings challenging the lawfulness and appropriateness of convictions and sentences pursuant to Article 440 of the New York Criminal Procedure Law, as well as engaging in reinvestigation efforts as necessary;
Litigating hearings to determine classification level pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA);
Litigating, where appropriate, federal habeas corpus challenges to state court convictions; and
Assisting with parole proceedings and reentry preparation.
Supervising staff attorneys, pro bono attorneys, and law student interns on all aspects of client representation through OAD’s “double-teaming” model, including but not limited to:
Development of case theory: familiarity with case records, issue conferencing, and strategy development;
Drafting of pleadings: editing and framing of briefs, leave applications, post-conviction motions;
Preparing for oral argument: mooting and issue selection; and
Providing guidance on the attorney-client relationship: client communication, legal visits, and issues of race, gender, mental health, and the trauma of incarceration.
Training attorneys on staff and outside the organization, including but not limited to:
Regular training programs for incoming staff attorneys and pro bono attorneys on substantive, procedural, and practice-oriented criminal law topics;
CLE and training programs for outside defender organizations and assigned counsel;
Mentorship of staff attorneys in one-on-one and group settings; and
Providing feedback and evaluations for staff attorneys.
Participate in office management, including but not limited to:
Guide and advise supervisees regarding office-wide legal policies and best practices;
Develop and manage a particular legal advocacy project or administrative aspect of OAD’s practice; and
Supervision and management of caseloads for staff attorneys
Carry a small caseload.

Requirements: 

To join our community, please apply with a cover letter, resume and writing sample here. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Your cover letter must include:

Alignment with Mission
A majority of the clients served at the Office of the Appellate Defender are people of color from low income backgrounds. What draws you to work with and support the population we serve, and what experiences or values guide your commitment to this community?
Relevant Skills & Experience
The skills and experiences that prepare you to succeed in this role.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer This is a full time, hybrid position. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. OAD is most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. OAD will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role. OAD is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. You are eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.
Salary range: 
$129,415.00 – $157,459.00
Submission deadline: 
Sunday, November 29, 2026