Appellate Brief Writer

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Pre‑tax health and transit accounts

Annual and sick leave

Deferred compensation

NYC Employees’ Retirement System

Additional employee benefits

Job summary

The Bronx District Attorney’s Office (City of New York) seeks a highly skilled Appellate Brief Writer to provide substantive legal research, writing, and litigation support under the supervision of an Assistant District Attorney. This position targets exceptional writers capable of analyzing complex issues and producing clear, persuasive advocacy.

The role involves drafting appellate briefs and related documents, performing research with Westlaw or Lexis, and independently managing assignments

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or J.D., LL.B., LL.M., or comparable legal degree and demonstrated superior analytical and persuasive writing skills
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, well‑organized, and compelling written work.
• Demonstrated experience conducting research and analyzing complex records, source materials, legal authorities, or other information.
• Exceptional attention to detail and superb organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage writing assignments, exercise sound judgment, and meet competing deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and legal research platforms such as Westlaw or Lexis, or demonstrated ability to develop proficiency with legal research tools quickly.

Responsibilities

• Draft appellate briefs, motion responses, memoranda, and other substantive legal documents under the supervision of an Assistant District Attorney.
• Assist attorneys with all aspects of filing motions and briefs, such as proofreading, cite‑checking, and generating tables of contents and tables of authorities.
• Conduct legal and legislative history research using Westlaw and other resources.
• Format and prepare documents for filing in compliance with court rules and bureau guidelines.
• Maintain digital files and case tracking databases.
• Coordinate aspects of federal habeas corpus litigation, including case tracking and record preparation.
• Coordinate and manage the Appeals Bureau’s moot court schedule.
• Provide litigation support to Assistant District Attorneys in appellate, post‑conviction, and related matters.
• Fulfil defense requests for exhibits.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Legal writing

Research skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Westlaw/Lexis proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree / JD

Tools

Westlaw

Lexis

Job description

Job Summary

The Bronx District Attorney’s Office is seeking well-qualified staff whose diverse backgrounds reflect an ability to serve the over 1.4 million members of the Bronx County community and pursue a safer Bronx through fair justice. The Appeals Bureau seeks a highly skilled Appellate Brief Writer to provide substantive legal research, writing, and litigation support under the supervision of an Assistant District Attorney. This experienced-level position is designed for exceptional writers and critical thinkers who can analyze complex legal and factual issues and produce clear, persuasive written advocacy. The successful candidate will independently manage substantive research and writing assignments, prepare comprehensive drafts of appellate briefs and other legal documents, and support specialized appellate and post‑conviction litigation. Candidates from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply; legal education and New York Bar admission are not required.

Job Responsibilities

• Draft appellate briefs, motion responses, memoranda, and other substantive legal documents under the supervision of an Assistant District Attorney.
• Assist attorneys with all aspects of filing motions and briefs, such as proofreading, cite‑checking, and generating tables of contents and tables of authorities.
• Conduct legal and legislative history research using Westlaw and other resources.
• Format and prepare documents for filing in compliance with court rules and bureau guidelines.
• Maintain digital files and case tracking databases.
• Coordinate aspects of federal habeas corpus litigation, including case tracking and record preparation.
• Coordinate and manage the Appeals Bureau’s moot court schedule.
• Provide litigation support to Assistant District Attorneys in appellate, post‑conviction, and related matters.
• Fulfil defense requests for exhibits.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or J.D., LL.B., LL.M., or comparable legal degree and demonstrated superior analytical and persuasive writing skills
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, well‑organized, and compelling written work.
• Demonstrated experience conducting research and analyzing complex records, source materials, legal authorities, or other information.
• Exceptional attention to detail and superb organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage writing assignments, exercise sound judgment, and meet competing deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and legal research platforms such as Westlaw or Lexis, or demonstrated ability to develop proficiency with legal research tools quickly.

Benefits

• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• pre‑tax health, dependent care, and transit spending account options
• annual and sick leave
• deferred compensation
• membership in the NYC Employees’ Retirement System pension plan
• additional employee benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

City Residency is not required for this position

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

, $72,298.00 – $72,298.00