Trial Attorney, Southern District

Federal Defenders of New York (FDNY) is seeking applicants for a Trial Attorney position in the Southern District of New York, located in our White Plains office. The candidate selected for this role will occasionally travel to our other office located in Manhattan, as well as to our Eastern District of New York (EDNY) offices, located in Brooklyn and Central Islip.

Our Organization

FDNY is a nonprofit, community defender organization that provides legal representation to indigent persons accused of federal crimes in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. We are not a government agency, and our employees are not government employees. Our mission is straightforward: although we provide our services free of cost, our clients should receive the finest legal representation available at any price. A large part of our caseload involves immigration-related offenses, drugs, fraud, bank robbery, firearms, and internet-related crimes. We are looking for someone who is committed to equal justice and willing to fight vigorously for those accused of committing crimes.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a Trial Attorney, you will work as a part of a legal team, including investigators, paralegals, social workers and administrative support staff to represent and support clients accused of federal crimes at every stage of their case through all phases of litigation, from arrests through trial and sentencing.

Although the pace of your day will vary, as a trial attorney you will be able to leverage the experience and expertise of additional attorneys across FDNY. You will also frequently collaborate with and attend trainings and conferences with other FDNY staff.

Qualifications & Experience

• Demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the mission of FDNY.
• Values camaraderie, collaboration, and zealous client advocacy.
• Possesses courtroom experience including suppression hearings and oral arguments.
• Displays proficiency in legal research, analysis, and legal writing.
• Is a self-starter who is comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, and able to navigate shifting demands when urgent legal needs arise.
• Has a thorough understanding of Microsoft Systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Lexis Nexis, Adobe Acrobat, and Westlaw.
• Has a minimum of four years of legal experience post J.D., with a focus on criminal defense, litigation, and trial experience in federal or state court.
• Is a licensed and active member in good standing of the New York State Bar or, upon hire gains admission to practice in New York State.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrates fluency or professional proficiency in Spanish.

Benefits & Salary

The salary for this position is $148,193 to $197,100. This range is consistent with the federal pay-scale and is commensurate with the experience of the candidate.

Additionally, FDNY offers the following employer benefits:

• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
• Federal paid holidays
• Health benefits, including medical/dental/vision coverage
• Group Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter benefits & 403(b) retirement offerings
• Employee Assistance Program
• Legal training & workshops for CLE credit

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, as FDNY is dedicated to promoting a work environment that supports and respects all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, gender identity, national origin, religion, or disability. Our office is committed to building a workplace that embraces different identities, voices, and worldviews—valuing equity and the richness of varied lived experiences.

Interested Applicants

Qualified candidates who are interested in contributing to this work are encouraged to apply by submitting a single pdf document that includes their one-page cover letter, resume, and two writing samples.

Please address all materials to Tamara Giwa, Executive Director via Airtable in our application portal. The combined PDF file should be formatted as: FirstName LastName—SDNY White Plains Trial Attorney Application Materials.

Hiring Timeline

We value transparency in our hiring process and want applicants to know what to expect. Below are estimates of our key dates:

• Application Deadline: May 15, 2026; Application review will occur on a rolling basis until the role is filled. The receipt of application materials will not be confirmed by FDNY.
• Interviews: Interviews will be conducted in-person or virtually via Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams. Please note that only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

FDNY offers the following employer benefits:

• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
• Federal paid holidays
• Health benefits, including medical/dental/vision coverage
• Group Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter benefits & 403(b) retirement offerings
• Employee Assistance Program
• Legal training & workshops for CLE credit