Assistant Counsel (Criminal Defense Representat...

Juris Doctorate, admission to or willingness to seek admission to New York State Bar, and a minimum of two years' experience in criminal defense representation.

Preferred Qualifications:

An ideal candidate will have four or more years of experience in public defense and demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting high quality and mission-driven public defense, a high degree of professionalism and collegiality, sound judgment, and strong oral and written communication skills.

Duties Description

The Albany-based Criminal Defense Representation Counsel will work to assure that the reforms initiated by the Hurrell-Harring settlement and its extension statewide under Executive Law 832(4) will be implemented effectively in New York State, specifically in Region D which consists of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Warren, and Washington counties. The Criminal Defense Representation Counsel will report to a Deputy Criminal Defense Representation Chief, who works under the guidance of the Criminal Defense Representation Chief. This position is responsible for the effective implementation of Executive Law 832(4)(a) (counsel at arraignment), 832(4)(b) (caseload relief), and 832(4)(c) (initiatives to improve quality), as well as monitoring implementation and efficacy of these reforms in Region D.

Specific duties include:

• Under the supervision of the Deputy Criminal Defense Representation Chief, and in collaboration with the Criminal Defense Representation team, works toward successful implementation of the ILS reform plans within the region, identifies challenges to implementation, and works with county officials and providers of public defense to develop creative solutions to meet the challenges.
• Consults with the providers of legal representation in the Region D counties and other responsible officials to identify opportunities for enhancing the quality of criminal defense representation provided under article 18-B of the County Law.
• Facilitates the development and implementation of regional initiatives to improve the quality of public criminal defense representation.
• Assists with the implementation and monitoring of caseload/workload standards in criminal cases for each provider of mandated representation in the Region D counties, including representation in both trial and appellate-level cases.
• Works with the Region D providers and counties to ensure that eligible individuals receive quality defense representation at arraignment and monitor progress of the structures put in place to achieve this goal.
• Assists in maximizing the use of state funding by Region D counties and public defense providers, including negotiating budgets for ILS contracts with providers and counties within the region.
• Provides consultation to public defense attorneys upon request.
• Works closely with the ILS Research Unit to ensure collection and reporting of all relevant data, and with the ILS Parental Representation Unit and Appellate Support Center to identify areas where quality improvement and greater efficiencies may be achieved.
• Consults regularly with the other ILS staff to problem-solve and promote improved quality representation.
• Undertakes other activities requested by the Director and Counsel in furtherance of the Office's overall responsibility to make efforts to improve the quality of A Government Entity representation under County Law article 18-B.