Closing Date: 30th June, 2026

Description:

Deadline is 3:00 PM EST for Date Listed
Jun 30, 2026

Job Description:
The Legal Aid Society, the nation's oldest and largest social justice legal services organization, has openings for Appellate Resource Attorneys in its Brooklyn and Manhattan Criminal Defense Trial Offices. The Appellate Resource Attorney will provide essential support to Trial Office members on trial, appellate and post-conviction issues. The Resource Attorney will also contribute to the Criminal Defense Resources SharePoint Database – the largest public defender resource site in the nation – by editing existing practice memoranda and litigation treatises, and by developing new advisories and treatises on major litigation issues. The position will be a two-year rotation, after which the attorney may re-apply or return to their current position.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Provide advice and support to Trial Attorneys
Collaborate with other resource attorneys and training managers on drafting practice advisories, treatises and memoranda and updating current advisories and memos
Work with other members of the Training Unit to strategize best practices and long-term litigation strategies
Prepare drafts of template motions
Write amicus briefs in select cases
Develop local and citywide trainings on legal issues, including preservation issues
Draft substantive pre-trial motions and memoranda of law, including motions in limine and requests to charge
Provide guidance on complex litigation issues and consult with attorneys on their cases
Participate in pre-trial hearings and trials, especially where novel issues are litigated
Facilitate the commencement of the appellate process when needed.
Must stay up to date on new developments in criminal law, both in terms of new statutory revisions and evolving case law
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:

Admission to New York State bar
7 years of litigation experience as of March 2026, including at least 5 years of post-conviction experience
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
Up-to-date Knowledge of Supreme Court precedent and willingness to assist attorneys in drafting arguments using this precedent

Preferred Qualifications:

Desire to write and edit practice advisories and legal treatises
Desire to brainstorm new legal arguments in consultation with the Training Unit and other relevant specialized units
Excellent research, writing, brief-writing, and oral advocacy skills
Some teaching and/or mentoring experience
Ability to challenge others to seek innovative and creative approaches to advocacy
Capacity to work with computer, electronic data and file sharing software, e-discovery platforms and processes, Adobe Pro, and Microsoft Suite
Ability to work collaboratively with the Training Unit, and other relevant specialized Units, regarding litigation strategies

Salary and benefits:
The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $84,000 - $152,500

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.

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

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 via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF: