Plea Project Senior Staff Attorney

JOB POSTING:

PLEA PROJECT SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF THE APPELLATE DEFENDER (OAD):

OAD is the second oldest institutional provider of appellate representation in New York City. For 37 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.

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a Plea Project Senior Staff Attorney at OAD, you will report to a supervisory team but will collaborate with various Supervising Attorneys on case assignments. A Plea Project Senior Staff Attorney is expected to work independently with minimal supervision on a significant caseload of appeals from guilty plea convictions. As a Plea Project Senior Staff Attorney, you will primarily represent on direct appeal people who cannot afford legal representation and who have been convicted by guilty plea of felonies in Manhattan and the Bronx, and may occasionally work on post-conviction motions and/or hearings, hearings to determinate classification level pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA), or in related litigation. You have in-depth knowledge and a proven track record of significant experience with criminal cases which may include appeals and post-conviction litigation. As a Plea Project Senior Staff Attorney, you have a demonstrated commitment to representing people who are indigent and convicted of crimes and will be energized by the opportunity to leverage your knowledge and experience for OAD’s continued success and sustainability.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Carry a significant caseload consisting of direct appeals from guilty plea convictions, which may also include post-conviction motions, SORA hearings, or related litigation, and parole proceedings and re-entry preparation.

Advise clients on all potential appellate options, including withdrawal of guilty pleas, where appropriate.

Develop attorney-client relationships by visiting incarcerated clients and communicating with them through a trauma-informed lens.

Set and meet quarterly case filing goals as well as adhering to organization and administrative protocols and policies.

Develop leadership and supervision skills by working with legal interns on all aspects of client representation by conferencing issues, developing strategy, reviewing, and revising briefs.

Participate with all legal staff to prepare and moot for oral arguments.

QUALIFICATIONS:

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 graduated from law school in 2018 - 2020 and possess 5-7 years of relevant experience in criminal law trial and/or appellate litigation, excellent research, writing and oral argument skills, and a demonstrated commitment to public defense.

You possess a people-centric and inclusive approach to managing relationships in the workplace. You do not fear change and are solution-oriented when differences arise and consider innovative and creative approaches to work.

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.

You 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.

You work effectively across roles to create a holistic environment to best address client needs.

You care deeply about people served by OAD and are enthusiastic about challenging the inequities of the criminal justice system.

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.

You possess excellent research, writing and oral argument skills.

BENEFITS:

Generous vacation time and 14 paid holidays, including Summer Fridays where the office closes early.

401(k) with a defined contribution of 3% from OAD regardless of participation.

Personal, Bereavement and sick days given on the first day of employment.

Comprehensive health, dental, vision and life benefits, flexible spending, and health reimbursement account.

TO APPLY:

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.

You are eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

************************** NO AGENCIES PLEASE ***************************

Job Type: Full-time

Salary Range: $96,311.40 - $103,187.86 based on graduation year 2018 – 2020.

Work Location: Hybrid – Lower Manhattan

 

 

Salary

• $96,311.40 - $103,187.86