Attorney-in-Charge Litigation Support

Closing Date: 3rd April, 2024

Description:

A 501 Non-Profit Legal Aid Provider Based in New York City's Criminal Defense Practice is seeking a dynamic leader and strategic thinker to develop and implement litigation technologies, related best practices and policies, and resources that enable defense teams to better serve clients. The Attorney in Charge of Practice Litigation Support reports to the Chief Attorney of the Criminal Defense Practice and is a member of the practice's executive leadership team. This person will directly supervise the Supervising Attorney of the Discovery Unit and the Director of Research, as well as work with other practice leadership and staff to ensure effective and efficient processes and tools are available to utilize in client representation. Such processes and tools include, but are not limited to, the deployment of e-discovery systems and applications, the assessment and design of a new case management platform, and the launch of a new litigation team model in partnership with the practice's other interdisciplinary departments such as paralegals and investigators.

A 501 Non-Profit Legal Aid Provider Based in New York City is the largest and oldest provider of social justice legal services in the nation. The Criminal Defense Practice is the citywide public defender in New York City, providing holistic representation to over 150,000 people trapped in the criminal legal system every year through trial and appellate/post-conviction litigation, parole revocation defense, and policy and systemic litigation.

The person for this role is an experienced criminal defense litigator who is facile in the use and understanding of litigation technologies, applications, processes, and procedures. They are committed to providing the highest quality of representation to clients and deeply committed to advocating for low-income and marginalized communities.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership, direction, and management to the Discovery Unit, and the CDP Research Unit and the provision of services to the Trial, Post Conviction, and Law Reforms and Policy Divisions within the Criminal Defense Practice
• Represent the Practice, clients and communities impacted at stakeholder meetings with the Office of Court Administration, Office of Indigent Legal Services (ILS), the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, and other stakeholders regarding discovery, data collection, court processes and procedures, and related topics
• Partner with A 501 Non-Profit Legal Aid Provider Based in New York City's CITO, COO and Deputy COO, and CDP leadership to coordinate projects and initiatives that seek to streamline workflow and manage goals and objectives
• Partner with CDP leadership to develop and implement best practices and policies related to the use of litigation technologies, internally and externally, to provide effective representation of clients and impacted communities
• Support and implement updates and tailored functionalities for the case management and eDiscovery systems to assist trial attorneys, support impact litigation, and advance policy objectives
• Ensure strategic rigor and consistency in the practice's ability to provide high-quality litigation resources, tools, and processes to all staff in the pursuit of holistic client representation
• Support the development of comprehensive data auditing procedures to verify the integrity, consistency, and completeness of data entered into case management and eDiscovery systems. Work closely with internal stakeholders to modernize legal practices through training initiatives and the deployment of new information technology platforms
• Develop in-service training on new technologies and resources for all staff and volunteers

Team Development and Supervision

• Mentor, coach, and supervise direct reports in setting performance standards, providing professional development, identifying/communicating roles and delegating work assignments, approving work and time off requests, approving remote work requests, issuing discipline as needed, and adhering to LAS employment handbook policy
• Manage the annual budget and approve purchases as needed
• Attend management meetings, participate in training, and stay current on employment policies, practices, and guidance as provided by administration and Human Resources
• Stay current on practice of CDP direct client representation to make informed and strategic decisions that support and benefit CDP in the use of litigation technologies, best practices and policies, and resources
• Conduct management and supervision practices that affirmatively support equity and inclusion in the workplace

Professional Development:

• Participate in continuous professional development
• Demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment and continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace
• Other duties as assigned

• Admission to the New York State Bar
• Minimum of 12 years experience as an attorney, including demonstrable experience with law reform litigation, policy advocacy, and criminal trial or appellate work
• Minimum 5 years experience in a supervisory and leadership role, including direct experience line managing staff and contributing to the professional development of others
• Experience working with case management and eDiscovery information technology platforms
• Proficient in utilizing and supporting the deployment of new and emerging technologies to staff members in a user-friendly manner
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity in the criminal legal system
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and building an equitable and inclusive work environment
• Experience in strategic planning, including managing planning processes; implementing plans and managing change; and monitoring and evaluating progress
• Excellent collaboration skills, including an ability to foster constructive, respectful working relationships with colleagues and coalition partners and an understanding of the importance of attention to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in collaborative relationships
• Nuanced understanding of state and federal constitutional and civil rights law and principles, particularly in their application to the criminal legal system
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly and with precision
• Ability to lead through uncertainty, assess and gather relevant information, resolve, recommend, or elevate resolution as needed
• Ability to identify roles, and responsibilities, delegate tasks, and create systems of accountability
• Ability to create and implement communication plans that account for diverse perspectives
• Ability to provide meaningful performance feedback for professional development including having difficult conversations and resolving sensitive issues
• Perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect
• Ability to understand the systemic oppression of identities and operationalize inclusive management practices using an equity mindset informed by inclusive practices
• May require travel within New York State, and to other states for conferences

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