Staff Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice

Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem

Staff Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice

The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (NDS) is a community-based, client-centered, holistic public defense office located in Harlem, providing civil, criminal and family representation to residents of Northern Manhattan. NDS seeks to hire a Staff Attorney in the Criminal Defense Practice.

The Criminal Defense Practice at NDS represents residents of Northern Manhattan who are charged with crimes who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.  Clients are represented by teams composed of lawyers, investigators, social workers, and team administrators.  NDS also provides pre-arrest representation to clients under threat of arrest.  NDS adheres to a client-centered approach to representation that emphasizes a heightened responsiveness to clients’ needs prior to arrest, while a case is pending, and after the case concludes.  NDS is committed to addressing the comprehensive legal and social service needs of clients.  

• Provide vigorous representation with energy and enthusiasm to young residents of Northern Manhattanin Manhattan's criminal couts;
• Engage in frequent court appearances and litigation, including arraignments, grand jury presentations, legal arguments, hearings and trials;
• Interview clients and their families in the Harlem office or local jails and detention facilities, conduct legal research and write pre-pleading letters, motions and develop mitigation reports on behalf of clients;
• Coordinate work performed by team members (investigators, social workers, mitigation specialists, team administrators and interns);
• Work with cross-practice colleagues (education, family defense, immigration defense, housing defense and other civil defense) to obtain comprehensive legal outcomes for clients;
• File motions, briefs and other related documents on a frequent and timely basis;
• Provide effective oral advocacy in negotiations and arguments in criminal court cases;
• Work primarily at NDS’ main office in Central Harlem when not in Court;
• Collaborate with and provide mentorship to less experienced staff;  
• Quickly and effectively communicate clearly with clients who are often under great stress. 

• Must possess a demonstrated commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, social justice issues and/or the Northern Manhattan communities;   
• A license to practice law in the State of New York and/or the ability to obtain pro hac vice admission until barred in New York; 
• Must possess the high level of organizational and administrative skills required to handle a challenging caseload;    
• Must possess strong legal and mitigation writing skills;    
• Bi-lingual (Spanish) attorneys are encouraged to apply.   

COMPENSATION:

Min: $82,693 Annual Compensation.

Max: $166,452 Annual Compensation.

The current salary range for this position is $82,693 - $166,452. The salary, benefits, and employment policies relevant to this position are governed by the CBA between NDS and the NDS Union, part of ALAA UAW 2325. Compensation is commensurate with experience and is in adherence to the NDS compensation scale. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as other benefits, are provided.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and advocacy-based writing sample (preferably in one single PDF).

For more information about NDS, please visit our website at neighborhooddefender.org.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NDS we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

 The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people to apply.