Supervising Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice

The Criminal Defense Practice

The Criminal Defense Practice (CDP) at The Bronx Defenders consists of over 150 attorneys, investigators, social workers, practice associates, and administrators who provide comprehensive criminal defense representation to people in the Bronx facing police and criminal legal system involvement. Through a client-centered approach, our CDP legal teams strive to gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances and priorities of the people we represent. Armed with that understanding, we fight for desired outcomes by strategically raising personalized, persuasive arguments in mitigation, negotiations, and litigation.

Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Managing Director or the Deputy Director of the Criminal Defense Practice, , the Supervising Attorney will assist with CDP programming, development, and training while acting as a liaison between Bronx Defenders staff and actors in the criminal courthouse.

Direct Representation

• Represent a reduced caseload in criminal court
• Work a reduced number of arraignment shifts
• Demonstrate best practices in holistic representation and criminal defense

Direct Supervision

• Supervise approximately 7 criminal defense attorneys, including newly felony trained attorneys
• Provide equitable, culturally conscious supervision and support marginalized supervisees in navigating experiences of oppression in their work  
• Regularly conference cases with supervisees
• Monitor referrals to other practices to ensure holistic representation
• Review supervisees’ written work, including signing off on all written work until the attorney is admitted to the New York Bar
• Observe in-court advocacy of supervisees and provide timely and constructive feedback and support
• Be available for co-counsel and in-court supervision
• Assist with and review all litigation preparation
• Monitor supervisees’ workload to ensure it is equitable and manageable for the supervisee
• Review LegalServer use to ensure data is accurate and up-to-date
• Assist in arranging case coverage
• Approve timesheets and time-off requests
• Supervise case and calendar management, client interaction and relationships with the judiciary and adversaries
• Supervise and encourage collaboration with other advocates and colleagues through case conferencing, coverage, and mooting litigation
• Support supervisees in meeting the expectations of their job responsibilities and notify the Managing Director when additional support is necessary

Liaison in the Courthouse

• Represent the interests of the office in the courthouse and be available as a point of contact for the judiciary and adversaries
• Advocate with the judiciary and adversaries on behalf of attorneys and their clients

Leadership Responsibilities

• Participate in Criminal Defense Practice supervisor meetings
• Work with fellow supervising attorneys and directors to assist with supervision, including in-court-supervision and coverage for staff attorneys
• Assist in the evaluation of attorneys and advocates every 12 months
• Assist in the development of best practices, new trainings, projects and initiatives in the practice area
• Assist with internal and external trainings and breakout sessions for CDP advocates, BxD staff, and external partners
• Advance holistic advocacy on the team and in the office
• Demonstrate a commitment to anti-oppression work in the practice and office, and support directly impacted supervisees in challenging oppressive patterns

Qualifications

To be eligible, candidates must have:

• Minimum of 5 years working as a criminal defense attorney in a public defender office, including experience practicing criminal defense in New York State
• Membership in good standing or eligibility for prompt admission to the New York Bar

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Commitment to directly defending people ensnared in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal systems,
• Commitment to challenging systemic injustice and carceral systems with fierce advocacy; strategically challenging authority in defense of the people we represent,
• Experience working in and with racially and ethnically marginalized communities of color targeted by systemic injustice
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people from various backgrounds and experiences
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers
• Effective research, writing, and courtroom advocacy skills
• Strong legal analytical skills and the capacity to employ non-legal resources to support the people we represent
• Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to think critically and creatively, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection, and shift behavior accordingly
• Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality around sensitive issues
• Varied litigation experience, including experience making de novo bail applications, conducting pretrial hearings, and filing novel legal motions
• Commitment to fierce advocacy, and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of clients
• Ability to work collaboratively with external stakeholders, such as the Office of Court Administration (OCA) and Bronx Community Solutions (BCS)
• Supervisory and mentoring skills including:
  • Interest in and commitment to developing and mentoring supervisees
  • Ability to provide intentional and constructive feedback
  • Flexibility in balancing needs of supervisees against their own caseload

This is an in-person position.

Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 5-15 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $114,418$ - $147,651 Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; and generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided when and if an offer is extended.

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is not within the bargaining unit. 

This position is exempt. By law, nonexempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.

To apply, please upload both a cover letter and resume as a single document when prompted. Applications missing any components or not submitted in the requested manner will not be considered.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through February 28, 2026. Any questions regarding this application can be directed to hiring@bronxdefenders.org.

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we work with. 

Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; and generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided when and if an offer is extended.