Closing Date: 24th February, 2025

Description:

Job Description:
The Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Practice is seeking an attorney to join the Women's Pretrial Release Initiative (“WPRI”), a specialized team within the Decarceration Projec
 
WPRI is devoted to securing the release of women who are detained pretrial in New York City and connecting them to gender-specific alternatives to incarceration. They work with community organizations to provide detained women support for individual success from detention, through release and community reentry to case resolution. They help women who struggle with harsh realities that hinder their ability to achieve the stability needed to meaningfully engage in their cases and return to court.

WPRI offers early intervention trial and appellate bail advocacy, structuralized social services, and comprehensive support. Service connections include mental health services, substance abuse services, housing and employment resources, and a host of other community support services. Their work helps keep women out of jail and with their families and communities.  

Candidates will have a deep understanding of criminal trial practice in New York City and robust knowledge of New York's bail statute, with extensive on-the-ground experience in New York City criminal courts. They will have a demonstrated commitment to the liberation of incarcerated individuals.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Work closely with project social worker to complete service plans and bail packages to advocate for the release of women who are being detained pretrial in New York City jails
Challenge adverse bail decisions using bail review hearings, writs of habeas corpus, appeals, and other strategic litigation
Engage in post-release advocacy with various alternative to incarceration service providers
Conduct trainings and outreach focused on women's pretrial detention and care coordination for CDP attorneys
Inform discussions with system stakeholders regarding issues facing incarcerated women
Collect data to inform strategic litigation priorities and to fulfill reporting requirements to private funders
Represent the Legal Aid Society in coalitions and develop and maintain relationships with coalition partners
Consult with trial attorneys about release options for cis and trans women
Strengthen existing partnerships and develop new partnerships with service providers for WPRI's client population
Inform discussions with system stakeholders regarding issues facing incarcerated women
Timely collect data to inform priorities and to fulfill reporting requirements to funders
Stay abreast of changes in the law relevant to bail and pre-trial detention
Work closely with project social workers, complete service plans and bail packages for women who are being detained pretrial in New York City jails
Challenge adverse pretrial detention decisions using writs of habeas corpus, appeals, and other strategic litigation and advocacy
Engage in post-release advocacy with various alternative to incarceration service providers
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:

Admission to the New York State Bar
Minimum 3 years' experience in criminal defense 
Experience in juvenile or adolescent defense preferred
State or federal level appellate litigation experience preferred
Experience in policy development, coalition work, and legislative advocacy preferred
Litigation experience implicating constitutional or civil rights issues preferred
A working knowledge of multiple systems of detention preferred
Comprehensive understanding of New York's bail statutes and the constitutional law pertaining to pre-trial detention
Unwavering commitment to the Decarceration Project's abolitionist mission to end pretrial detention
Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships with attorneys and social workers both internal and external to the unit
Experience with and passion for working with marginalized women and their families involved in the criminal legal system
History of trauma-informed practice on behalf of clients with physical disabilities, mental illness, intellectual and developmental delays and/or histories of substance use
Excellent written and oral advocacy skills
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage one's time effectively to accomplish shared team goals
Ability to interface professionally and effectively with judges, district attorneys and correctional personnel
Enthusiasm for innovative approaches to release advocacy and the ongoing growth and development of the project