Staff Attorney Position - Direct Practice

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 an entry-level appellate attorney to work on criminal

appeals from both trial and plea convictions. 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

Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience based on a collectively bargained

pay scale, with a range from $78,891.23 to $95,136.22. 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 cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of references as a single PDF to apply@appad.org, referencing “Staff Attorney Position – Direct Appeals” in the subject line by July 28, 2025. 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, 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.