The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks passionate attorneys with a commitment to public defense to join our Family Defense Practice
Founded in 1997, The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that has developed a nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense, which provides people with teams of lawyers, social workers, and advocates to defend them zealously in court as well as to address the underlying drivers and enmeshed penalties of legal system involvement.
Since opening our doors, we have grown into an organization of more than 400 staff members defending nearly 20,000 New Yorkers each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings who face incarceration, family separation, eviction, and deportation, among other devastating consequences.
Today we are reimagining the role of public defense even further, using community organizing and engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation to partner with the communities we represent to bring about long-lasting systemic change.
We also share our model and lessons learned with current and future public defenders, run two legal clinics at NYC law schools and train public defenders throughout the country on how to move to a holistic model of representation.
Family Defense Practice
The Bronx Defenders’ Family Defense Practice (FDP) provides legal representation and social work support to parents charged with child abuse and neglect who are at risk of losing custody of their children. Our Family Defense Practice is at the forefront of a movement to provide holistic representation to parents in the Bronx while creating long-term solutions for the reunification and stability of families. Family Defense Practice Attorneys primarily litigate abuse and neglect cases, but occasionally appear in concurrent matters including custody, visitation, and termination of parental rights.
Responsabilities
Zealously represent parents in child protective proceedings in Bronx Family Court and any concurrent matters including custody, visitation, and termination of parental rights cases
Litigate legal matters in abuse and neglect proceedings in hearings and trials in family court - orally and in writing
Effectively communicate and negotiate with judges, caseworkers, child attorneys, and representatives of the Administration for Children’s Services on behalf of parents
Assist parents in accessing appropriate resources and services to restore full parental rights
Collaborate with social workers and parent advocates in the Family Defense Practice, as well as attorneys and advocates in the criminal defense, civil action and immigration practice on enmeshed issues that arise in other venues
Collaborate to provide coverage for cases to ensure that all client needs are met
Maintain client case files and data in BxD’s case management system
Provide mentorship to junior attorneys
Supervise and train interns and externs
Conduct internal trainings in conjunction with the FDP Training Department
To be eligible, candidates must have:
One year of family defense or related experience
Graduate of an American Bar Association-accredited law school OR Barred attorney with the ability to practice in New York or to be barred upon hiring
Applicants must demonstrate:
Commitment to directly defending parents charged with abuse and/or neglect in child welfare proceedings
Experience working in and with racially, ethnically and socioeconomically marginalized communities
Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences
Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers
Commitment to fierce advocacy, and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of clients
Effective research, writing and courtroom advocacy skills
Strong analytical skills and capacity to employ non-legal resources in cases
Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
Meticulous attention to detail
Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles
Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly
Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters
Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level
Preferred, but not required:
Spanish language proficiency
Experience working in the family regulation system, in the field of Family Law, or a related field
Applicants, if hired, must:
Sit for the New York State Bar Examination (if applicable at the time) or
Submit the alternative appropriate materials necessary for admission or waiver
This is a hybrid position that will require at least 21 hours/week of in-person work.
To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and a cover letter in one document. Your cover letter should share why you want to do this work at our office, some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position, and any additional information you would like us to consider. This information allows us to understand your distinct perspective, experience and potential beyond the work history summarized on your resume. If selected for the position, your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience listed; we therefore encourage you to ensure your resume includes all relevant professional experience. Applications without a written cover letter will not be considered.
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