Deputy Attorney In Charge

The Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD) is one of New York City’s oldest provider of appellate representation to people who cannot afford to pay an attorney for the appeal of a criminal conviction. OAD’s core mission is to ensure full and equal access to justice by providing high-quality and client-centered representation throughout the appellate process. This approach enables our attorneys to focus on the best issues for appeal, to tell our clients’ stories effectively, and to identify and pursue other forms of advocacy that are most effective for each client’s unique circumstances. OAD is committed to developing and litigating innovative legal theories that most effectively demonstrate the injustices that our clients have experienced.

OAD is devoted to recruiting, hiring, and retaining a workforce comprised of individuals from different cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, ages, genders, and physical abilities. OAD recognizes that our clients are predominantly Black and Brown people and firmly believes that a diverse staff is important to providing this standard of representation. Every OAD staff member shares a profound commitment to public service and to defending people who have been disadvantaged by legal and economic systems.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Deputy Attorney-in-Charge serves as a member of the leadership team at OAD, working in close partnership with the President and Attorney-in-Charge to guide the organization’s legal strategy, operational effectiveness, and organizational culture. This role requires a dynamic leader who can balance excellence in appellate advocacy with systems-level thinking, staff development, and external engagement.

The Deputy Attorney-in-Charge is expected to model and operationalize OAD’s core values—Human-Centered practice, Zealous Representation and Advocacy, Respect and Civility, Trust, and Collaboration—in all aspects of leadership, decision-making, and engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Shape and advance OAD’s legal strategy in appellate and post-conviction representation
• Analyze complex legal issues and guide the development of responsive, high-impact legal approaches
• Contribute to broader criminal justice reform efforts at the city, state, and national levels
• Collaborate with practitioners and stakeholders to influence policy, practice, and public discourse
• Represent OAD with credibility before courts, funders, elected officials, and community partners
• Advance advocacy that reflects OAD’s commitment to challenging unjust, oppressive, and inhumane systems
• Strengthen organizational systems that support high-quality, human-centered representation and efficient operations
• Develop and implement policies, protocols, and office-wide guidance aligned with OAD’s values
• Managing data collection, reporting, and analysis to inform funding and operational decisions
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, structures, and cross-functional collaboration and implementing such improvements
• Ensure consistency, cohesion, accountability, and transparency across legal, client services, and administrative/operations functions.
• Partner with Supervising Attorneys and Directors to refine staff management practices, providing the strategic guidance necessary to meet milestones and performance goals.
• Reinforce accountability while fostering a culture of learning, curiosity, and professional growth
• Support staff wellness and retention, recognizing the demands of public defense work
• Coordinate and implement training initiatives that strengthen advocacy, agency practices and leadership skills
• Lead with respect, civility, and intention in all supervisory interactions
• Foster a culture grounded in dignity, humanity, and inclusion
• Respond thoughtfully and constructively to client, staff, and community concerns
• Cultivate strong internal collaboration and meaningful external partnerships while building trust through transparency, active listening, and open communication
• Advance OAD’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including pipeline development
• Engage effectively with stakeholders including funders, community-based organizations, advocates, and government agencies
• Identify opportunities for innovation in appellate advocacy, client services, and organizational practice
• Support initiatives that expand OAD’s impact, including pro bono and internship programs
• Contribute to fundraising efforts and organizational sustainability, including key events
• Approach changes with adaptability, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement
• Maintain and reinforce a high standard of appellate and post-conviction representation
• Ensure advocacy is rigorous, client-centered, and aligned with OAD’s mission and values

QUALIFICATIONS

• Admitted to the New York State Bar (or prompt eligibility for admission)
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant legal practice
• Deep knowledge of New York criminal law, appellate and post-conviction practice
• Experience litigating in state and federal trial and appellate courts
• Demonstrated experience in leadership, management, and supervision
• Proven success to guide teams through complex legal, organizational, and interpersonal challenges
• Exceptional judgment and decision-making skills grounded in integrity and accountability
• Demonstrated commitment to public defense and advancing justice with a deep understanding of the intersection of mental health, substance use, poverty, racial inequities, within the criminal legal system
• Experience with policy advocacy and reform
• Commitment to practicing through a lens of cultural humility, equity, and inclusion
• Ability to center client voices and lived experience in leadership and decision-making
• Exceptional written and oral advocacy skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders and communicate with clarity, empathy and purpose
• Experience working with pro bono counsel and external partners
• Experience working in interdisciplinary environments is strongly preferred
• Proficiency in languages other than English is a plus