neighborhood defender service of harlem

THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE is a community-based, client-centered, holistic public defense office located in Harlem, providing civil, criminal and family representation to residents of Northern Manhattan. NDS seeks to hire an experienced public defender as a Special Litigation Attorney for the Criminal Defense Practice.

The Criminal Defense Practice at NDS represents residents of Northern Manhattan who are charged with crimes and cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Clients are represented by teams composed of lawyers, investigators, social workers, client advocates, team administrators and interns. NDS also provides pre-arrest representation to clients under threat of arrest. NDS adheres to a client-centered approach to representation that emphasizes a heightened responsiveness to clients’ needs prior to arrest, while a case is pending, and after the case concludes. NDS is committed to addressing the comprehensive legal and social service needs of clients. The Special Litigation Attorney assists members of the practice in staying up-to-date on and formulating litigation strategies responsive to changes in the law, in researching and litigating unique or urgent legal issues, and in identifying legal strategies and resources for addressing similar issues arising in multiple clients’ cases. The Special Litigation Attorney is supervised by the Supervisor of Training within the Criminal Defense Practice.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Educate attorneys and other relevant staff on changes in the law and resulting litigation and strategy consequences, including by coordinating or presenting in person and/or online CLEs.
• Collect, draft, and maintain resources and decisions to support attorneys in litigation on various issues in criminal cases and developments in the law, including drafting and updating template motions and practice advisories.
• Collaborate with attorneys in drafting written submissions and developing legal arguments.
• Assist in producing amicus submissions, including drafting and editing briefs.
• Collaborate with staff to identify and address legal issues presenting across multiple clients’ cases.
• Support and assist attorneys in litigating unique or urgent legal issues, including attending or co-counseling hearings and trials.
• Represent a small number of clients on misdemeanor and felony charges in Criminal and Supreme Court and frequently attending court appearances to be aware of ongoing legal issues and current practice.

QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate will bring: 

1. A demonstrated commitment to criminal legal reform, indigent defense, racial equity, social justice issues, and the Harlem communities.
2. At least 10 years of experience practicing as a trial level or appellate public defender, New York state court experience preferred.
3. Bar admission in New York.
4. Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers.
5. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including ability to train advocates and present complex information to audiences with varying levels of experience.
6. Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high stakes environment.
7. Ability to think critically and creatively, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles.
8. Ability to receive and share constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly.
9. Bi-lingual (Spanish) candidates are encouraged to apply.

Compensation: Compensation is commensurate with experience. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as retirement plan with company match, robust time off perks, paid parental leave and other benefits, are provided. The salary range for this position is $109,143.48 - $166,452.35

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample (preferably in one single PDF). Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

For more information about NDS, please visit our website at neighborhooddefender.org.

The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people to apply.