Supervising Attorney, Director of Reinvestigation Project

Hours: Full-time, Hybrid

Salary: $115,000-$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 Director of the Reinvestigation Project and is a member of the management team who reports to the Deputy Attorney-in-Charge. You will oversee OAD’s Reinvestigation team, including case intake and distribution. You will provide guidance, using appropriate leadership models, including our “double-team” model, for representation on wrongful conviction cases and other appellate and post-conviction cases. You will advise OAD staff on emerging developments in the law and science regarding factors which contribute to wrongful convictions. The successful candidate has a proven track record of supporting team members in advocating for clients who have been marginalized and significant experience in case investigation and in criminal defense trial, appellate, and/or post-conviction litigation work.

 

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 with criminal and/or post-conviction appellate litigation, and experience with New York litigation in trial court is strongly preferred; supervision experience, including oversight of cases, is required; demonstrated commitment to representing people convicted of crimes and experiencing poverty, and a strong belief in the value of communication with clients; outstanding legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills; and ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Leader. You have demonstrated the ability to lead teams and manage others of varying experience levels. You possess a people-centric, collaborative, and inclusive 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 time 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 Reinvestigation Project by overseeing the wrongful conviction team’s litigation, as well as case review and intake, developing and improving internal protocols to maintain OAD’s high standards for client-centered representation, and establishing relationships with pertinent external partners such as investigators, experts, and District Attorneys Offices’ Conviction Integrity Units.

• Supervise attorneys on other appellate and post-conviction advocacy, including developing the client relationship and communicating with clients through a trauma-informed lens; conferencing issues, developing strategy, and reviewing and revising submissions to be filed in connection with post- conviction and appellate litigation; and providing support for attorneys.

• Oversee and perform case reinvestigations by, among other things, reviewing trial discovery, interviewing trial attorneys, conducting field investigations, and engaging investigators and experts.

• 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.

• Carry a small caseload which may consist of reinvestigation cases, direct appeals, and post-conviction motions and hearings pursuant to NY CPL 440.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

Salary

• $115,000 - $135,200