Supervising Attorney, Director of Non-Citizen Project
Office Of The Appellate Defender See More Job Openings by This Employer
Role: Supervising Attorney, Director of Non-Citizen Client Project
Location: New York
Hours: Full-time, Hybrid
Salary: $119,600 - 135,200
About the Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD)
OAD is the second oldest institutional provider of appellate representation in New York City. For 36 years, OAD has stood as a beacon of hope for people at the intersection of poverty and injustice. Our clients have been convicted of felony offenses in Manhattan and/or the Bronx and have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment and post-release supervision. Despite the circumstances of our clients' offenses, convictions, and sentences, we believe in the humanity and dignity of every human being which informs our client- centered, trauma-informed advocacy. We are a beloved community of colleagues who are dedicated to public defense, access to justice, and racial equity.
Overview of the role
The Supervising Attorney will serve as the Director of the Non-Citizen Client Project and is a member of the management team who reports to the Deputy Attorney-in-Charge. You will provide guidance, using appropriate leadership models, including our 'double-team' model, for representation of OAD's non-citizen clients in all aspects of post-conviction and appellate work. You will also advise all OAD lawyers on matters relating to immigration law and its intersection with criminal law, including the impact of clients' criminal convictions on their immigration status and how OAD may ameliorate that impact via appellate and post- conviction advocacy. The successful candidate has a proven track record of supporting team members in advocating for clients who have been marginalized, particularly those who are not U.S. citizens, and is energized by the opportunity to leverage that knowledge and experience for OAD's continued success and sustainability.
Who You Are
- Experienced. You are a member, in good standing, of a bar in any jurisdiction and possess or can obtain NY licensure within a reasonable time. You have extensive experience in immigration law and its intersection with New York criminal law, preferably including post-conviction advocacy and/or trial court practice; excellent research, writing and oral argument skills; a demonstrated commitment to public defense; and the ability to train others in these areas. Regardless of title, you have supervised other individuals and/or managed a project with multiple team members. Fluency in languages other than English is strongly preferred.
- Leader. You have the demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage others of varying experience levels. You possess a people-centric and culture-forward approach to managing relationships in the workplace. You do not fear change and are solution- oriented when differences arise. You challenge others to seek innovative and creative approaches to advocacy and encourage ongoing development by providing effective performance feedback and evaluation.
- Culturally Aware and Sensitive. You understand what it means to work with and for individuals whose backgrounds and lived experiences are different from your own with sensitivity and humility. You are willing to learn more about the impacted and marginalized identities of people served by the organization and bring your awareness to all the work you do.
- Clear Communicator. You can communicate clearly and concisely. You provide useful feedback to the people working with you. You adopt an organizational voice to ensure written or oral communications are consistent with the inclusive culture we strive to maintain and build upon.
- Collaborative. You work effectively across roles to create a holistic environment to best address client needs.
- Passionate. You care deeply about people served by OAD and are enthusiastic about challenging the inequities of the criminal justice system.
- Agile. You have strong organizational and case management skills and have demonstrated success navigating gray areas in the law and working with competing priorities. You maintain composure and positivity in stressful situations. You are willing to take on new projects as the needs of the office or practice change.
What You Will Do
- Administer OAD's Non-Citizen Client Project by overseeing case and record intake, establishing and improving internal protocols to maintain OAD's high standards for client-centered representation of non-citizen clients, and representing OAD in the larger community of immigration and criminal defense advocates.
- Review pertinent criminal and immigration court client records to assess the immigration consequences of client convictions and draft comprehensive analyses to be reviewed by legal staff in furtherance of their representation of non-citizen clients.
- Supervise attorneys on post-conviction advocacy for non-citizen clients, including developing the client relationship and communicating with clients through a trauma-informed lens; conferencing issues and developing strategy in anticipation of post-conviction and appellate litigation; reviewing and revising submissions to be filed in connection with post-conviction and appellate litigation; and providing support for attorneys.
- Consciously create and enhance a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work culture that is supportive, collaborative, and affirming to clients and colleagues by training and mentoring attorneys and law students; providing CLE and training programs for outside defender organizations; and collaborating with leadership to devise and implement big picture organizational goals.
- Represent non-citizen clients in direct appeals, state post-conviction relief, and other advocacy through motion practice and negotiation of immigration-safer dispositions.
Benefits
- Generous vacation time, holidays, personal and sick days including Summer Fridays where the office closes early.
- Comprehensive medical benefits, flexible spending, and health reimbursement account.
Your Application
To join our community, please apply with a cover letter, resume and writing sample here. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Your cover letter must:
(1) explain your alignment with OAD's mission, values and/or advocacy approach; and (2) what skills or experiences make you a strong candidate.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. OAD is most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. OAD will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role.
OAD is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or genetic information.
Please note that OAD requires all staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID and provide a vaccination record at the start of employment.
- $119,600 - $135,200
