Supervising Attorney - Wrongful Conviction

The Legal Aid Society houses the largest post-conviction public defense practice in New York City, annually providing holistic, client-centered representation to over 1,000 people with misdemeanor, felony, and homicide convictions. We represent low-income people in all five boroughs who are challenging their criminal convictions on appeal or in other post-conviction proceedings. The Wrongful Conviction Unit (WCU) specifically seeks to exonerate individuals wrongfully convicted of crimes.

Our work includes reinvestigating cases, advocating to the Conviction Review Units at the District Attorney’s Offices and litigating the claims in Supreme and Appellate Courts.

The Supervising Attorney for the Wrongful Conviction Unit will lead a team of five staff attorneys, three paralegals, and two investigators to ensure that the highest level of representation is provided to all clients. The Supervising Attorney is responsible for managing workflow, guiding and developing staff, and providing strategic vision for the unit.

The ideal candidate is a motivated leader that values teaching and mentoring, innovation, and professional development. The candidate should understand the vital role public defenders play in challenging systemic racism and oppression. This candidate will consciously create and enhance a diverse and affirming workplace culture that is supportive, collaborative, and affirming to our clients and colleagues.

• Lead the WCU unit to ensure high-quality advocacy, including setting priorities, developing protocols, and making strategic determinations
• Directly mentor WCU staff through regular one-on-one meetings, regular feedback, and annual evaluations to foster professional development and growth
• Provide case and caseload supervision, including conferencing individual cases for strategic planning, managing caseloads and setting priorities, providing guidance on preparation for meetings with DA’s offices and hearings, and reviewing written work
• Provide training on substantive areas of the law and related advocacy skills
• Engage in strategic planning for the unit, identifying and implementing necessary improvements and protocols, and troubleshooting issues that arise
• Engage with the Innocence Network and other stakeholders in the wrongful conviction community, preparing presentations, participating in panels and conferences, and advocating for reforms
• Carry a small caseload
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Required qualifications:

• New York State Bar admission (or ability to waive into New York State from another jurisdiction)
• At least five years of post-conviction representation with a preference for investigation and litigation of wrongful conviction claims
• Demonstrated commitment to public defense, social and racial justice, and equity

Position Based Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant New York State and federal law including evidence laws, criminal and constitutional laws, statutory interpretation, and ethical principles contained in the Rules of Professional Conduct
• Excellent investigative, research, writing, editing, and oral argument skills
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with all members of the staff

Supervision

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team with varying experience levels
• Ability to challenge others to seek innovative and creative approaches to advocacy
• Ability to create and implement effective communication plans
• Ability to provide meaningful performance feedback for professional development including having difficult conversations and resolving sensitive employee issues

Organizational Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Commitment to Legal Aid Society’s mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers
• Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect
• Commitment to…