Supervising Attorney

Location New York City Full-TimePart-Time Full-Time ExemptNon-Exempt Non-Exempt Category Legal About the Organization The Office of the Appellate Defender is the second oldest institutional provider of appellate representation in New York City. For 35 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 andor 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. Description Role: Supervising AttorneyLocation: New YorkHours: Full-time, HybridSalary: $115,000 - $135,200About the Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD)OAD is the second oldest institutional provider of appellate representation in New York City. For 35 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 andor 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 roleA Supervising Attorney at OAD is a member of the management team and reports to the Deputy Attorney-in-Charge. You will provide guidance in appellate representation and post-conviction relief to staff attorneys using appropriate leadership models, including our 'double-team' model, working from case inception to completion, and engaging in formal training and mentorship. The successful candidate has a proven track record of supporting team members in advocating for clients who have been marginalized 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 all aspects of criminal law and post-conviction representation; 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 andor managed a project with multiple team members. Leader. You have the demonstrated 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 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 Supervise attorneys, including pro-bono volunteer attorneys and law students on all aspects of client representation by conferencing issues and developing strategy; reviewing and revising briefs; preparing and mooting attorneys for oral argument; developing the attorney-client relationship by visiting incarcerated clients and communicating with them through a trauma-informed lens. Screen cases for potential issues to raise on appeal or in other post-conviction litigation. 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 consisting of direct appeals, post-conviction motions and hearings pursuant to NY CPL 440 and other post-conviction relief such as hearings to determine classification level pursuant to SORA; federal habeas corpus challenges to state court convictions; and parole proceedings and re-entry preparation.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 ApplicationTo 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 andor 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.EOE Statement 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. This position is currently accepting applications.

Created: 2025-02-20