The Criminal Appeals Bureau (CAB) of The Legal Aid Society provides legal representation for people who have been convicted of a crime and cannot afford to pay an attorney.  CAB is the largest post-conviction public defender in New York City, annually serving over 1,000 people with misdemeanor and felony convictions.

Through our appellate practice, CAB advocates against the unjust and illegal judgments in the criminal legal system.  CAB’s model of litigation provides well-researched and rigorous legal advocacy while centering our clients and their stories in the process.  Together, the CAB team – attorneys, paralegals, social workers, and other staff – represent our clients in New York’s appellate courts, as well as in varied ancillary proceedings including sex offender registration hearings and state postconviction practice.  Additionally, CAB’s holistic practice, in partnership with the many other units of The Legal Aid Society, addresses both the direct and the collateral consequences of convictions that profoundly impact a person.

The Supervising Attorney is responsible for the guidance and support of staff attorneys in the development of CAB’s post-conviction practice.  Supervising attorneys will assist in the discussion of case theory, the review of litigation documents, and the counseling around client-centered representation.  Supervising attorneys will also participate in managing the varied needs of the Criminal Appeals Bureau, including oversight of particular projects, providing advice on unit-wide policies, and maintaining an inclusive office culture that centers equity.

The ideal candidate is a motivated leader that values teaching and mentoring, innovation, and professional development.  The candidate should understand the vital role public defenders play in challenging systemic racism and oppression through direct in-person litigation of the people we are honored to serve.  This candidate will consciously create and enhance a diverse and affirming workplace culture that is supportive, collaborative, and affirming to our clients and colleagues.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Counsel and advise staff attorneys and pro bono volunteer lawyers in all facets of post-conviction representation, including record review, issue selection, appellate brief writing, oral argument, and client communication
• Review and revise pleadings in preparation for filing
• Directly mentor staff attorneys through regular one-on-one meetings, regular feedback, and annual evaluations in order to foster professional development and growth
• Facilitate team discussions that allow attorneys to brainstorm and work collaboratively towards better outcomes on cases
• Provide training on substantive areas of law as well as the practice of managing a high-volume, post-conviction caseload
• Screen cases for potential issues to raise on appeal or in other post-conviction litigation
• Engage in strategic planning to increase the efficiency of CAB and ensure that clients continue to receive the highest quality representation
• Lead and oversee specific project areas within CAB
• Carry a small caseload, as necessary, and other duties as assigned

Please submit these documents as a single combined PDF when you apply via the LAS (Legal Aid Society) Recruitment Portal.

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Writing Sample

• New York State Bar admission (or ability to waive into New York State from another jurisdiction)
• At least five years of criminal appellate experience or equivalent post-conviction experience, with demonstrated commitment to public defense, social and racial justice, and equity
• Excellent research, writing, brief-writing, and oral argument skills
• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant New York State and federal law including evidence laws, criminal and constitutional laws, statutory interpretation, and ethical principles contained in the Rules of Professional Conduct
• History of coaching and developing a team of attorneys with varying experience levels
• Demonstrated interest and ability to provide individualized support and encouragement for innovative approaches to advocacy and for ongoing development through performance feedback and evaluation
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with all members of the staff
• Experience in decision-making and strategic planning on an organizational level

SALARY TRANSPARENCY

The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range/ Salary: $95,619 to $157,218

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Salaries for our unionized jobs are governed by our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please visit our Careers page for additional information. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants, when and if an offer is made.

Click here to read more about the benefits of working at The Legal Aid Society 

HIGHER EDUCATION AND LOAN FORGIVENESS

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs.

Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.

studentaid.gov 

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jo**************@le*******.org.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.