Staff Attorney Position - Direct Practice

Appellate Advocates is a nonprofit public defender organization, based in New York City, providing high-quality representation of individuals who have been convicted of crimes in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island and cannot afford private lawyers. Our attorneys, from a variety of diverse backgrounds, are experienced in criminal law and believe in a holistic, client centered approach to vindicating every client’s constitutional rights, working to overturn unjust convictions and sentences, and assisting with reentry to the community upon release. While our main work is criminal appeals, we also represent clients in Sex Offender Registration Act hearings, reinvestigate cases and file motions for post-conviction relief with a focus on ameliorating immigration consequences, seek to vacate convictions for victims of sex trafficking, and try to reduce sentences of domestic violence survivors.

Appellate Advocates is deeply committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. To this end, we seek to:

• Hire staff that reflect the full range of racial, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic identities of the communities we represent, particularly those communities disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system;
• Ensure a workplace where diversity and inclusion are fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged; and
• Ensure that all staff members feel welcome, respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the organization.

Position Description: We are seeking to hire one or more direct appeal attorneys to work principally on criminal appeals plea convictions, with the eventual possibility of working on criminal appeals from trial convictions as well. More than one position may be filled based on this posting. This is primarily an in-person position.

Qualifications:

• A demonstrated commitment to criminal defense and social justice
• Excellent and proven research, writing, and oral advocacy skills
• A strong interest in client-focused representation
• A self-directed ability to manage an active caseload
• New York State bar admission required, or a commitment to seek admission immediately
• One or more years litigation experience preferred, but not required

Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience based on a collectively bargained pay scale, with a range from $83,585.20 to $112,750. Appellate Advocates offers a generous benefits package, including health and dental insurance, a 401(k), flexible spending and transit account, and paid sick and vacation time.

To Apply: Please submit a (1) cover letter, (2) resume, (3) writing sample, and (4) list of references as a single PDF to apply@appad.org, referencing “Staff Attorney Position – Direct Appeals.” Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Only those applicants granted an interview will be contacted regarding their application. Applicants with disabilities may e-mail apply@appad.org or call Melissa Taveras, Executive Assistant, at (212) 693-0085, ext. 252, to request and arrange for accommodations for submitting an application.

Appellate Advocates is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, formally incarcerated or similarly situated status, disability, or genetic information. Appellate Advocates is deeply committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce, and seeks to hire staff that reflect the full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic identities of the communities we represent, particularly those communities disproportionately affected by the criminal legal system. We strongly encourage people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.

Appellate Advocates offers a generous benefits package, including health and dental insurance, a 401(k), flexible spending and transit account, and paid sick and vacation time.