Staff Attorney-Felony Bureau

Office of the Appellate Defender; Town of Riverhead (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Life insurance

Loan forgiveness

Paid time off

Parental leave

Vision insurance

Job summary

The Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County seeks a Staff Attorney for the County Court Bureau in Riverhead. The role requires NYS admission and substantial criminal trial/ negotiation experience, and daily travel to Riverhead.

The successful candidate will defend difficult felony cases, conduct thorough case research, motions and persuasive writing, and work within a collaborative, zealous team dedicated to indigent defense. Bilingual Spanish is a plus.

Qualifications

• Admitted to practice law in NYS with at least three years criminal trial and negotiation experience.
• Completed at least three criminal jury trials or a substantial number of pre-trial suppression hearings.
• Demonstrates ability to analyze cases, identify issues, develop a viable strategy, and solve problems creatively.
• Excels in incorporating creative and innovative negotiation skills and strategies.
• Willing to take on difficult cases and work as part of a dynamic team.

Responsibilities

• Meet regularly with incarcerated clients at Riverhead and Yaphank facilities.
• Develop zealous legal analysis and litigation strategies within a collaborative, client-centered framework.
• Work within a team-oriented practice committed to indigent defense.
• Defend difficult felony cases with significant state imprisonment exposure.
• Convey impromptu arguments clearly in court and write persuasive motions/memos.

Skills

Criminal trial experience

Negotiation experience

Client communication

Legal analysis

Courtroom advocacy

Independent work

Collaboration

Indigent defense passion

Spanish language

Job description

We are seeking applicants for a Staff Attorney position in our County Court Bureau in Riverhead. Suitable applicants must be prepared to travel to Riverhead daily and should possess the following qualifications:

• Admitted to practice law in NYS with at least three (3) years criminal trial and negotiation experience
• Completed at least three (3) criminal jury trials or a substantial number of pre-trial suppression hearings
• Communicates well with clients by maintaining consistent contact, keeping them informed of case status and quickly and adequately addressing any issues or concerns
• Excellent ability to analyze cases, recognize legal/factual issues, develop a viable case strategy, and creatively problem solve
• Excels in incorporating creative and innovative negotiation skills and strategies
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate with co-workers and supervisors
• Confident and comfortable in defending difficult felony cases with significant state imprisonment exposure
• Courtroom confidence and ability to effectively convey impromptu arguments and responses
• Ability to research relevant legal issues thoroughly and present issues in a persuasive well-argued written motion/memo
• Willing to take on difficult cases/clients and be part of a dynamic team
• Demonstrates a passion for indigent defense
• Spanish Fluency a plus

Staff Attorneys in the County Court Bureau are expected to meet regularly with incarcerated clients at both the Riverhead and Yaphank Correctional Facilities.

Our practice is team oriented, collaborative, and client centered. We seek individuals who can develop and implement zealous legal analysis and impassioned litigation strategies within that framework.

The Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County is committed to building an inclusive and diverse team. We welcome different perspectives and experiences as being crucial to best serving our clients.

Starting Salary: With minimum 3 years of experience $94,500. Compensation may be higher based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated skills.

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Admitted to practice law in NYS with at least three (3) years criminal trial and negotiation experience
Completed at least three (3) criminal jury trials or a substantial number of pre-trial suppression hearings