ROLE OVERVIEW:
The Deputy Attorney-in-Charge serves as a member of the leadership team at OAD, working in close partnership with the President and Attorney-in-Charge to guide the organization’s legal strategy, operational effectiveness, and organizational culture. This role requires a dynamic leader who can balance excellence in appellate advocacy with systems-level thinking, staff development, and external engagement.
The Deputy Attorney-in-Charge is expected to model and operationalize OAD’s core values—Human-Centered practice, Zealous Representation and Advocacy, Respect and Civility, Trust, and Collaboration—in all aspects of leadership, decision-making, and engagement.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Shape and advance OAD’s legal strategy in appellate and post-conviction representation
• Analyze complex legal issues and guide the development of responsive, high-impact legal approaches
• Contribute to broader criminal justice reform efforts at the city, state, and national levels
• Collaborate with practitioners and stakeholders to influence policy, practice, and public discourse
• Represent OAD with credibility before courts, funders, elected officials, and community partners
• Advance advocacy that reflects OAD’s commitment to challenging unjust, oppressive, and inhumane systems
• Strengthen organizational systems that support high-quality, human-centered representation and efficient operations
• Develop and implement policies, protocols, and office-wide guidance aligned with OAD’s values
• Managing data collection, reporting, and analysis to inform funding and operational decisions
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, structures, and cross-functional collaboration and implementing such improvements
• Ensure consistency, cohesion, accountability, and transparency across legal, client services, and administrative/operations functions.
• Partner with Supervising Attorneys and Directors to refine staff management practices, providing the strategic guidance necessary to meet milestones and performance goals.
• Reinforce accountability while fostering a culture of learning, curiosity, and professional growth
• Support staff wellness and retention, recognizing the demands of public defense work
• Coordinate and implement training initiatives that strengthen advocacy, agency practices and leadership skills
• Lead with respect, civility, and intention in all supervisory interactions
• Foster a culture grounded in dignity, humanity, and inclusion
• Respond thoughtfully and constructively to client, staff, and community concerns
• Cultivate strong internal collaboration and meaningful external partnerships while building trust through transparency, active listening, and open communication
• Advance OAD’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including pipeline development
• Engage effectively with stakeholders including funders, community-based organizations, advocates, and government agencies
• Identify opportunities for innovation in appellate advocacy, client services, and organizational practice
• Support initiatives that expand OAD’s impact, including pro bono and internship programs
• Contribute to fundraising efforts and organizational sustainability, including key events
• Approach changes with adaptability, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement
• Maintain and reinforce a high standard of appellate and post-conviction representation
• Ensure advocacy is rigorous, client-centered, and aligned with OAD’s mission and values
QUALIFICATIONS
• Admitted to the New York State Bar (or prompt eligibility for admission)
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant legal practice
• Deep knowledge of New York criminal law, appellate and post-conviction practice
• Experience litigating in state and federal trial and appellate courts
• Demonstrated experience in leadership, management, and supervision
• Proven success to guide teams through complex legal, organizational, and interpersonal challenges
• Exceptional judgment and decision-making skills grounded in integrity and accountability
• Demonstrated commitment to public defense and advancing justice with a deep understanding of the intersection of mental health, substance use, poverty, racial inequities, within the criminal legal system
• Experience with policy advocacy and reform
• Commitment to practicing through a lens of cultural humility, equity, and inclusion
• Ability to center client voices and lived experience in leadership and decision-making
• Exceptional written and oral advocacy skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders and communicate with clarity, empathy and purpose
• Experience working with pro bono counsel and external partners
• Experience working in interdisciplinary environments is strongly preferred
• Proficiency in languages other than English is a plus
TO APPLY:
To join our community, please apply through our website with a cover letter, resume and writing sample (see prompt below). Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. The cover letter must address:
1) The applicant’s interest in working at the Office of the Appellate Defender and commitment to public defense; and
2) The skills, experiences, and leadership approach that position the applicant to contribute to OAD’s mission and values.
Writing sample prompt:
Describe a time when you had to lead through a complex organizational or personnel challenge. What was your approach, and how did you balance accountability, communication, and team dynamics?
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