Deputy Defender for Litigation and Post-Conviction Support

Erie County Assigned Counsel Program; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Erie County Assigned Counsel Program in Buffalo, NY seeks a Deputy Defender for Litigation and Post-Conviction Support to improve the quality of representation for indigent clients in criminal cases. You will support panel attorneys, broaden knowledge, and provide reliable in-office and in-court support for trial attorneys.

The role requires a NY State Bar admission, a JD from an ABA-accredited school, and ten years of criminal trial and appellate experience.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice before the New York State Bar.
• Ten years of legal experience in criminal trial and appellate work.

Responsibilities

• Assist trial attorneys by analyzing complex legal issues and writing motions.
• Supervise and edit writing by Legal Writing Specialists.
• Coordinate with Chief Criminal Investigator and participate in War Room sessions.
• Draft motions for bail, Article 78 proceedings, Writs of Habeas Corpus, and other urgent matters.
• Update and maintain the Motions Library monthly.
• Oversee appellate assignments to ensure timely completion.
• Provide training curricula and teach CLE courses.

Job description

Deputy Defender for Litigation and Post-Conviction Support

Position Information

Department/Group: Criminal

Reports To: First Deputy Defender, Criminal Division

Supervises: Contract Legal Writing Specialists

Location: Office and One Day Remote from Home Office

Travel Required: Occasional

Salary Range: $128,000 – $138,600

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Job Description

The goal of the Deputy Defender for Litigation and Post-Conviction Support is to improve the quality of representation for indigent clients in criminal cases by:

1. Assisting panel attorneys in analyzing legal and strategic issues.
2. Broadening the scope of knowledge of panel attorneys, especially in new or changing areas of law.
3. Providing reliable and prompt in-office and in-court support for trial attorneys who encounter legal issues.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Assist criminal panel attorneys in analyzing and resolving complex legal and strategic issues.
• Assist criminal panel attorneys in writing persuasive motions and memoranda of law, as requested.
• Assign writing projects to Legal Writing Specialists and edit and supervise their work for panel attorneys.
• Remain available to address urgent legal issues that arise during trials and other court proceedings, including superior courts and proceedings held outside normal business hours.
• Coordinate with the Chief Criminal Investigator and participate in “War Room” sessions when applicable.
• Draft and appear on motions for QRF bail applications, Article 78 proceedings, Writs of Habeas Corpus, and other urgent matters where truncated timelines and the Deputy’s level of expertise make them the ideal candidate to handle such matters.
• Moderate and update the “Motions Library” on a monthly basis.
• Oversee criminal appellate panel attorneys to ensure quality representation and compliance with ILS standards.
• Monitor appellate and post-conviction attorney assignments to ensure timely completion.
• Review vouchers for appellate and post-conviction matters, when requested, to provide context on attorney billing.
• Assist in the development and implementation of training curricula for new panel attorneys and attorneys seeking to increase their level of cases.
• Prepare and teach CLE courses using written materials and training aids.
• Keep abreast of developments in the law, digest those changes, and communicate them to panel attorneys.
• Assist in reviewing panel attorneys to ensure clients receive quality representation.
• Participate in ILS’ Appellate Defender Council, providing assistance as needed, including coordinating statewide CLE programs.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Graduation from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• Ten (10) years of legal experience, preferably including a combination of criminal trial and criminal appellate work.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to accurately analyze complex legal issues, case law, and statutes.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage a high volume of attorney requests for assistance.
• Demonstrated trial and appellate experience sufficient to advise attorneys on litigation strategy.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving indigent and underserved populations.

Additional Notes

The Assigned Counsel Program is an Equal Opportunity Employer.