SUPERVISOR OF THE CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT PROJECT (Attorney)

ABOUT US

The Center for Appellate Litigation (CAL) is a leading holistic legal services organization dedicated to providing high-quality appellate representation to low-income New Yorkers. CAL is assigned to represent New Yorkers convicted of crimes in Manhattan and the Bronx in their criminal appeals and other post-conviction proceedings. We pride ourselves on adopting dynamic approaches to serve our clients and challenge the status quo. Outside of the courtroom, we work tirelessly to protect our clients’ well-being through an array of client support service projects, including the Conditions of Confinement Project (“Conditions Project”). Our team of dedicated attorneys, paralegals, and staff work tirelessly to advocate for our clients' rights and uphold the principles of justice.

POSITION OVERVIEW

CAL is seeking to hire an attorney to supervise our Conditions Project and advocate for clients experiencing confinement-related issues. The attorney will oversee our Conditions Project Client Advocates (“CAs”) in their work advocating for clients incarcerated in New York State prisons who are facing issues related to excessive use of force and harassment by DOCCS staff, denial of medical and mental health treatment, harassment and violence by fellow inmates, access to counsel issues, and violations of HALT. In addition to supervising the Conditions CAs, the attorney will represent clients at Tier III disciplinary hearings and work with clients to assist them in understanding sentence computations, obtaining jail-time credits through re-sentencings and negotiations, and obtaining violent- felony-override certificates. The attorney will also coordinate referrals to, and work with outside advocacy organizations and pro bono law firms pursuing system-wide advocacy and impact litigation.

The Conditions Project Supervisor will be supervised by the Legal Director and is not a member of the bargaining unit.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• supervise CAL’s Conditions Project CAs, which includes assigning Conditions referrals to CAs in a timely manner and meeting regularly with Conditions CAs to conference cases and discuss overall operation of the project;
• ensure that the Conditions of Confinement Project operates in a manner that serves our client’s needs, which includes possibly redefining the scope of the Project to determine additional areas of advocacy that have tremendous value to clients such as terminating probation early, and waiving client court fees and mandatory surcharges;
• maintain a personal caseload of Conditions Project clients;
• welcome Conditions referrals from attorneys, and advise attorneys, and client advocates on questions related to conditions of confinement issues;
• maintain and update Conditions client tracking system;
• assist with hiring, onboarding, and substantive training for new Conditions CAs;
• work with outside organizations and pro bono law firms in pursuing system-wide prison reforms, including collaborating with pro bono counsel to litigate 1983 cases on behalf of conditions clients, and coordinating impact litigation and legislative initiatives along with other prison advocacy service providers;
• represent CAL in macro-level system-wide conditions-related-coalitions that are working towards the betterment of prison conditions in New York State, including pursuing legislative initiatives in coordination with other prison advocacy service providers; and
• manage the client support budget.

QUALIFICATIONS

• commitment to CAL’s mission statement and client-centered advocacy;
• be admitted to practice law in New York State;
• at least three years of relevant experience as a public defender, in public interest law related to litigating prison conditions, and/or with appellate practice;
• excellent analytical, writing, research, and oral advocacy skills;
• a passion for creative, persuasive, and strategic writing;
• strong organizational skills and a diligent work ethic;
• empathy and respect for people who have been convicted of serious offenses;
• strong interpersonal skills, especially in the face of crisis or disagreement;
• ability to exercise good judgment;
• experience serving and/or advocating for disenfranchised communities;
• deep understanding of the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
• a willingness and ability to work within the dehumanizing environments of prisons, jails, and detention facilities.

LOCATION

The position is based at CAL’s New York City office. CAL has a hybrid remote office policy and attorneys are permitted to work remotely 10-12 days per month.

SALARY

Starting salary will be between $102,293 for a 2022 graduate and $123,250 for a 2015 graduate (included within that amount is a $10,000 supervisory differential). CAL offers comprehensive medical benefits, a retirement account, and generous vacation time, holidays, personal and sick days.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

At CAL, we embrace and value our staff’s diversity, recognizing that our differences strengthen our community and advance our mission. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, orientations, experiences, and communities to apply. CAL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, arrest or conviction record, caregiver status, citizenship status, color, credit history, creed, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, marital status, partnership status, pregnancy, race, religion, salary history, sexual and reproductive health decisions, sexual orientation, status as a covered veteran or active military service member, or status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, and sex offenses in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws

CAL offers comprehensive medical benefits, a retirement account, and generous vacation time, holidays, personal and sick days.