Staff Attorney, Criminal Appeals Bureau - Fall 2027

The Legal Aid Society; New York (NY); Presencial; USD 90.000 - 150.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The Legal Aid Society is seeking a Staff Attorney for the Criminal Appeals Bureau in New York City, to start in or around September 2027. The role involves handling post-conviction matters, briefs, and oral arguments in New York’s appellate courts, with a client-centered approach to vulnerable populations.

Qualified candidates will be admitted to the New York State Bar (or eligible) and possess strong writing, research, and advocacy skills, along with a commitment to racial and social justice in

Formación

• Be admitted to the New York State Bar or law school graduate eligible to practice.
• Knowledge of evidence, criminal and constitutional law, statutory interpretation, and Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Excellent writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with all staff.
• Ability to work independently with initiative and organization.
• Commitment to serving low-income communities and communities of color.
• Demonstrated thoughtfulness on the role of attorneys in public defense, social and racial justice, and equity.

Responsabilidades

• Maintain a large, high-volume caseload—including appellate briefs and motions.
• Draft and revise briefs for filing before appellate courts.
• Prepare for and advocate orally in front of trial and appellate courts.
• Regularly communicate with clients about the appellate process and options.
• Research caselaw, statutes, and secondary sources to support arguments.
• Collaborate with colleagues and supervisors on case strategy.
• Engage in continuing education on best practices and developments in criminal law.

Conocimientos

Excellent writing

Analytical skills

Oral advocacy

Collaboration

Independent work

Public defense commitment

Equity and justice awareness

Educación

New York Bar admission or eligible to practice

Descripción del empleo

Staff Attorney, Criminal Appeals Bureau - Fall 2027

#26-139

New York, New York, United States

Deadline is 3:00 PM EST for Date Listed

Job Description

The Legal Aid Society has openings for Staff Attorneys in the Criminal Appeals Bureau (CAB) unit, to start in or around September 2027.

CAB 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. 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 that profoundly impact a person after their conviction.

CAB staff attorneys are responsible for managing a large and diverse caseload, including appellate briefs and oral arguments at New York’s intermediate appellate courts and the New York Court of Appeals, as well as a variety of other postconviction proceedings and sex offender registration hearings. Staff attorneys provide zealous and effective representation, through regular communication with clients and a practice that incorporates creativity, thoroughness, and excellent judgment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain organizational skills and practices necessary in order to manage a high-volume caseload consisting of direct appeals, CPL 440.10 and 440.20 motions, sex offender registration hearings and risk-level modification petitions, and other post-conviction relief
• Develop and exercise judgment on approaching cases from a lens of creativity and client-centeredness
• Research and analyze caselaw, statutes, treatises, and other secondary sources
• Draft and revise briefs in preparation for filing
• Review, brainstorm, and discuss case strategy with colleagues and supervisors
• Prepare for and advocate orally in front of trial courts and appellate courts, as needed
• Regularly communicate with and advise clients of the appellate process and possible options, including withdrawals of appeals where appropriate
• Participate in continuing education on best practices, legal and case developments, the impact of race, wealth, and gender on the criminal legal system
• Demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment for all staff members within CAB
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Be admitted to the New York State Bar or law school graduate eligible to practice under The Legal Aid Society's Practice Order
• Knowledge of the law of evidence, criminal and constitutional law, statutory interpretation, and ethical principles contained in the Rules of Professional Conduct
• Excellent writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with all members of the staff
• Ability to work independently with personal initiative and organization
• Commitment to serving low-income communities and communities of color
• Demonstrated thoughtfulness on the role of attorneys in public defense, social and racial justice, and equity

Preferred qualifications:

• Criminal appellate experience or equivalent post-conviction experience
• Experience working with people who are incarcerated in prison

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

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.

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.)

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

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 (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us and our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.

Location

Manhattan - Criminal Defense Practice Office

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