Conditions of Confinement Staff Attorney at CAL

ABOUT US

The Center for Appellate Litigation (CAL) is a leading legal services organization dedicated to providing high-quality post-conviction representation to low-income New Yorkers. We are committed to ensuring that every individual has access to fair and just legal representation in the appellate courts and in a full panoply of post-conviction litigation. Our team of dedicated attorneys, client advocates, and staff work tirelessly to advocate for our clients’ rights and uphold the principles of justice.

POSITION OVERVIEW

CAL is seeking to hire a staff attorney to join the Conditions of Confinement Project. The attorney will join a team of advocates in the fight to defend and expand the rights of incarcerated New Yorkers. The attorney will be a member of the bargaining unit.

CAL’s Conditions of Confinement Project advocates on behalf of CAL’s clients who are incarcerated in the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facilities, and local jails. Many of our clients face challenges related to their health, safety, and overall well-being. We work to address these challenges through advocacy related to access to medical and mental healthcare; protection from harassment and violence; preventing illegal and unjust solitary confinement; and obtaining basic necessities.

The staff attorney position will include the following responsibilities:

• Managing a client caseload within the project and advocating on behalf of individual CAL clients to ameliorate threats to their safety and well-being stemming from their incarceration
• Serving as a primary point of contact for incarcerated clients and prospective clients through legal mail, legal calls, in-person visits, and community-based outreach
• Advocating for clients impacted by the criminal legal system by navigating and communicating with correctional institutions, government agencies, community organizations, client’s family members, and other support networks
• Assisting CAL with developing a civil litigation practice focused on prison and jail conditions, which will include advancing and enforcing existing conditions cases
• Identifying problems and challenges that people experience during incarceration and strategizing solutions
• Representing clients at DOCCS Tier III disciplinary hearings
• Conducting policy advocacy on issues affecting incarcerated persons, including commenting on proposed regulations and legislation, and presenting oral and written testimony
• Using discretion and sound judgment to help troubleshoot issues and resolve non-routine matters
• Conducting research and fact-gathering to support client advocacy, litigation, policy initiatives, and project development
• Utilizing databases, public records, and investigative tools to locate witnesses and obtain information relevant to client representation and advocacy
• Supporting the project’s growth and sustainability through activities such as resource development, community outreach, liaising with correctional professionals at relevant educational events, fundraising support (particularly for the Client Support Fund), and relationship-building with external partners, including civil attorneys
• Report to supervising attorney on cases, legal strategies, scheduling, and other matters
• Collaborate with CAL’s team of experienced attorneys, supervisors, social workers, client advocates, and pro bono counsel
• Receive both hands-on and formal training
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and objectives of the Conditions of Confinement Project

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris doctor from an accredited law school and admission to the New York State Bar
• Minimum of two years of civil litigation experience, with a strong preference for experience in civil rights, prisoners’ rights litigation (including New York Article 78 administrative proceedings and Federal Section 1983 civil rights claims), New York correctional agencies, and/or law reform litigation
• Experience working with people from marginalized communities, and/or people who have been involved in the youth justice or criminal legal systems
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, and manage a dynamic caseload
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and their families, correctional agencies, community organizations, attorneys, the judiciary, and the public
• Demonstrated ability to engage in and communicate complex legal analysis
• Excellent organizational, communication (written and verbal), litigation, and advocacy skills
• Commitment to public criminal defense
• Ability to juggle a variety of tasks and roles often under time pressure
• Willingness and ability to travel to correctional facilities throughout New York State, and to work directly with incarcerated people
• Experience working with incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people and correctional staff is preferred
• Computer proficiency required. Experience with Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office Suite, and Westlaw is preferred but not required. Candidates must demonstrate the ability and willingness to learn and effectively utilize these and similar technologies
• Spanish fluency preferred but not required
• Demonstrated understanding of the ways in which the criminal legal system and other governmental institutions can disproportionately impact marginalized and historically underserved communities, including communities of color, LGBTQI+ people, people with disabilities, people who are undocumented, and people experiencing poverty
• Demonstrated strong commitment to racial equity and civil rights
• An ability to remain calm, professional, and effective when working with clients experiencing crisis, trauma, or other highly stressful circumstances
• Lived experience with incarceration, the youth justice system, or the criminal legal system—either personally or through close family or community connections—is highly valued. Candidates with such experience are encouraged to apply

LOCATION

The position is based at CAL’s New York City office. CAL has a hybrid remote office policy and staff attorneys are permitted to work remotely 8 to 14 days per month depending on their tenure at CAL.

SALARY

Salary will be commensurate with experience according to an established step system. The base salary is at least $91,941 for a 2024 graduate and up to $104,040 for a 2017 graduate with an additional $3,000 language differential for candidates who are fluent in Spanish or another second language commonly used in our practice. 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 race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, reproductive health decision-making, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship or immigration status where protected by law, arrest or conviction record where protected by law, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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

Spanish fluency preferred but not required.