The Criminal Appeals Bureau (CAB) of The Legal Aid Society is the largest post-conviction public defender in New York City, annually providing holistic, client-centered representation to over 1,000 people with misdemeanor, felony, and homicide convictions.

CAB is seeking a staff attorney who will focus on the litigation of motions for resentencing under the newly enacted Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act ("DVSJA") (CPL * 440.47), which enables survivors of domestic violence who meet certain criteria to apply for a reduction in their sentence.

Working with CAB mitigation specialists, the attorney will maintain a full caseload of DVSJA clients, preparing resentencing motions and litigating hearings. The attorney may also work with law firms providing pro bono assistance to The Legal Aid Society in the preparation of such motions. In addition, the attorney will participate in the DVSJA intake process, screening clients for eligibility, gathering necessary materials, and communicating with clients and their families. The attorney will also consult on initial DVSJA sentencing hearings at the trial level and monitor developments in the law.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Represent clients on DVSJA motions for resentencing
• Participate in the DVSJA intake and record-gathering process
• Communicate with clients, their families, courts, adversaries, and prison officials
• Consult on initial DVSJA sentencing hearings at the trial level
• Monitor developments in the DVSJA law
• Coordinate with other appellate providers, law firms, and advocacy organizations
• Other duties as assigned

• Admitted to New York State bar or ability to waive into New York State from another jurisdiction
• Three or more years' experience trial-level or post-conviction litigation
• Excellent writing and analytical skills
• Excellent oral advocacy skills
• Knowledge of the law of evidence, criminal and constitutional law, statutory interpretation, and ethical principles contained in the Rules of Professional Conduct
• Excellent organizational skills
• Experience in preparing C.P.L. 440 motions and/or working with survivors of domestic violence
• Ability to work collegially with all members of the staff
• Demonstrated interest in serving low-income communities
• Commitment to indigent defense

SALARY TRANSPARENCY

The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range/ Salary: $76,407, to $132,914

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Salaries for our unionized jobs are governed by our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please visit our Careers page for additional information. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants, when and if an offer is made.

Click here to read more about the benefits of working at The Legal Aid Society

HIGHER EDUCATION AND LOAN FORGIVENESS

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs.

Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice.To learn more, click the links below.

studentaid.gov

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one's internal deeply-held sense of one's gender which may be the same or different from one's sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one's name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please submit these documents as a single combined PDF when you apply via the LAS Recruitment Portal.

• Cover letter
• Resume