Description:

Description:
Position: Staff Attorney Fellow

Location: New York, Lower Manhattan

Hours: Full-time, Hybrid

Term: 5 years

Salary: $82,159.71 - $86,404.96

The Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD) is one of New York City's oldest provider of appellate representation to people who cannot afford to pay an attorney for the appeal of a criminal conviction. OAD's core mission is to ensure full and equal access to justice by providing high-quality and client-centered representation throughout the appellate process. This approach enables our attorneys to focus on the best issues for appeal, to tell our clients' stories effectively, and to identify and pursue other forms of advocacy that are most effective for each client's unique circumstances. OAD is committed to developing and litigating innovative legal theories that most effectively demonstrate the injustices that our clients have experienced.

OAD is devoted to recruiting, hiring, and retaining a workforce comprised of individuals from different cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, ages, genders, and physical abilities. OAD recognizes that our clients are predominantly Black and Brown people and firmly believes that a diverse staff is important to providing this standard of representation. Every OAD staff member shares a profound commitment to public service and to defending people who have been disadvantaged by legal and economic systems.

Role Overview:
A Staff Attorney in the Fellowship program will be responsible for providing timely and zealous legal representation in the trial and appellate courts while meeting goals and expectations of the Fellowship program. In the early years of the program, staff attorneys will collaborate closely with Supervising Attorneys as they read the appellate record together, conference the case to identify issues and develop a theory of the case. A Staff Attorney also receives comprehensive support and training on all other aspects of appellate and post-conviction representation while maintaining a high-volume caseload throughout the duration of the Fellowship program.

Every staff member is expected to incorporate OAD's core values Human-Centered practice, Zealous Representation and Advocacy, Respect and Civility, Trust, and Collaboration into their work and interactions.

Responsibilities:

Provide legal direct appeal representation in the Appellate Division and the New York Court of Appeals; in post-conviction motions and hearings; in hearings to determine classification level pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA); and in federal habeas corpus challenges to state court convictions.
Extensive research and writing of appellate briefs.
Case conferencing, strategy development, client communication, and legal visits.
Advising clients of potential appellate options, including withdrawal of appeals where appropriate.
When appropriate, collaborate with or make referrals to the Client Services Director and Client Services Coordinators to address prison condition issues and to assist clients with parole proceedings and re-entry preparation.

Qualifications:

Admission to a state bar and in good standing, with the ability to obtain New York admission within a reasonable time.
Up to two years of criminal defense experience, including exposure to appellate, post-conviction, or trial-level advocacy.
Experience reviewing records and drafting motions or briefs is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated interest in appellate advocacy, legal writing, and issue development, with a willingness to engage deeply with complex legal records.
Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize large volumes of information and identify legally significant issues.
Capacity to receive, integrate, and apply feedback in a rigorous and iterative writing process.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and a high-volume caseload.
Dedicated commitment to client-centered representation, including the ability to engage with clients with empathy, respect, and cultural humility.
Ability to work effectively with individuals whose lived experiences differ from one's own, including individuals impacted by poverty, systemic inequities, mental health challenges, and incarceration.
Commitment to learning, professional growth, and reflective practice, including openness to supervision, mentorship, and continuous development.
Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and effectively to clients, colleagues, and courts.
Ability to work both collaboratively and independently, including contributing to a team-based approach to case development and advocacy.
Capacity to manage the emotional and intellectual demands of public defense work with professionalism and resilience.

Benefits:

Generous vacation time and 14 paid holidays, including Summer Fridays where the office closes early.
401(k) with a defined contribution of 3.5% from OAD regardless of participation.
Personal, Bereavement and sick days given on the first day of employment.
Comprehensive health, dental, vision and life benefits, flexible spending, and health reimbursement account.
Free access to the Practicing Law Institute for CLE credits and professional development.

To Apply:
To join our community, please apply with a cover letter, resume and writing sample here. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Your cover letter must include the following:

Commitment to Mission & Public Defense
Your interest in working at the Office of the Appellate Defender and your commitment to client-centered, public defense advocacy.
Interest in Appellate Advocacy
What draws you to appellate and post-conviction work, including any experiences that have shaped your interest in legal writing, issue development, or systemic advocacy