Staff Attorney, Parole Revocation Defense Unit (Fall 2025)

The Legal Aid Society; New York (NY); On-site; USD 83,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Staff Attorney for its Parole Revocation Defense Unit. This role involves representing clients at parole revocation hearings and related legal proceedings across various venues in New York City. The position demands strong courtroom skills and a background in criminal or administrative law, with a focus on providing effective defense for clients facing serious legal challenges. The ideal candidate will be passionate about advocacy and committed to ensuring access to justice for all clients, particularly those with mental health or substance abuse issues. Join a team that values diversity, equity, and inclusion while making a significant impact in the community.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Vacation

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Qualifications

• Must be admitted to the NY State Bar or eligible to sit for the bar exam.
• 2+ years of relevant legal experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Handle parole revocation hearings and related legal proceedings.
• Collaborate with support staff and social work team for client defense.

Skills

Courtroom Skills

Criminal Law

Administrative Law

Spanish Fluency

Education

New York State Bar Admission

Law Degree

Job description

Description

The Legal Aid Society’s Parole Revocation Defense Unit has an opening for a Staff Attorney beginning in the fall of 2025. A PRDU Staff Attorney represents clients accused of violating their conditions of release at administrative parole revocation hearings and recognizance hearings held in the criminal courts, federal detention facilities, hospital prison wards and, where applicable, local correctional facilities throughout New York City. The Staff Attorney also appears on behalf of clients at related habeas corpus proceedings, administrative and local criminal court appeals, and other post‐conviction proceedings. The practice is fast‐paced and litigation‐intensive.

PRDU maintains offices at 260 East 161st and 199 Water Street but attorneys spend significant amounts of time in courtrooms in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for handling parole revocation at all stages, including recognizance hearings, preliminary hearings, calendar appearances, discovery practice, negotiations, contested hearings, administrative appeals, and post‐conviction hearings
• Work with unit support staff, paralegals, and investigative staff to provide zealous and effective defense representation
• Partner with PRDU social work team to identify and develop mitigation for clients who have mental health and/or substance abuse issues, medical needs, or who are otherwise suitable for alternatives to incarceration
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• New York State Bar Admission. Those applicants who have pending applications for the NYS bar or are a law school graduate in May 2025 and have sat or are registered to sit for the July 2025 NYS bar examination and August 2025 NYLE will be considered.
• 2 years of relevant experience, or more, preferred
• Strong courtroom skills
• A background in criminal and/or administrative law or prison-related litigation is particularly relevant
• Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred

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.

Salary Range: $83,844 - $147,907

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.

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 via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Writing Sample

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email [e-mail].

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

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, gender expression, disability, marital status, relationship and family structure, 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.

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, understanding their diverse circumstances, and 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.