Careers

Role: Appeals and SORA Supervising Attorney
Location: New York
Hours: Full-time, Hybrid, in-person no fewer than 3 days per week
Salary: $115,000 – $132,080

Overview of the role
An Appeals and SORA Supervising Attorney at OAD is a member of the management team and reports to the Deputy Attorney-in-Charge. You will provide guidance, using appropriate leadership models, including our “double-team” model, working from case inception to completion, and engaging in formal training and mentorship, for representation for appellate and post-conviction work, as well as OAD’s Sex Offender Registration Act (“SORA”) practice. The SORA practice involves trial court representation for persons convicted of offenses that subject them to mandatory sex offender registration. The successful candidate has a proven track record of supporting team members in advocating for clients who have been marginalized and is energized by the opportunity to leverage that knowledge and experience for OAD’s continued success and sustainability.

Who You Are

• Experienced. You are a member, in good standing, of a bar in any jurisdiction and possess or can obtain NY licensure within a reasonable time. You have extensive experience in all aspects of criminal law, preferably including post-conviction advocacy and/or trial court practice; excellent research, writing and oral argument skills; a demonstrated commitment to public defense; and the ability to train others in these areas. Regardless of title, you have supervised other individuals and/or managed a project with multiple team members.
• Leader. You have the demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage others of varying experience levels. You possess a people-centric, collaborative, and inclusive approach to managing relationships in the workplace. You do not fear change and are solution-oriented when differences arise. You challenge others to seek innovative and creative approaches to advocacy; and encourage ongoing development by providing effective performance feedback and evaluation.
• Culturally Aware and Sensitive. You understand what it means to work with and for individuals whose backgrounds and lived experiences are different from your own with sensitivity and humility. You are willing to learn more about the impacted and marginalized identities of people served.
• Clear Communicator. You can communicate clearly and concisely. You provide useful feedback to the people working with you. You adopt an organizational voice to ensure written or oral communications are consistent with the inclusive culture we strive to maintain and build upon.
• Collaborative. You work effectively across roles to create a holistic environment to best address client needs.
• Passionate. You care deeply about people served by OAD and are enthusiastic about challenging the inequities of the criminal justice system.
• Agile. You have strong organizational and management skills and have demonstrated success working with competing priorities. You maintain composure and positivity in stressful situations. You are willing to take on new projects as the needs of the office or practice change.

What You Will Do

• Supervise attorneys on SORA litigation, including developing the client relationship and communicating with clients through a trauma-informed lens; conferencing issues and developing strategy in anticipation of SORA litigation; reviewing and revising submissions to be filed in connection with the SORA hearing; and providing support to attorneys for the hearing itself.
• Administer OAD’s SORA practice by overseeing case intake and distribution and providing regular training and support to staff attorneys on their SORA cases; develop and manage a comprehensive, client-centered strategy for OAD’s litigation of SORA cases.
• Supervise attorneys, including pro-bono volunteer attorneys, on appellate and post-conviction work including all aspects of client representation by conferencing issues and developing strategy; reviewing and revising briefs; preparing and mooting attorneys for oral argument; developing the attorney-client relationship by visiting incarcerated clients and communicating with them through a trauma-informed lens.
• Consciously create and enhance a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work culture that is supportive, collaborative, and affirming to clients and colleagues by training and mentoring attorneys and law students; providing CLE and training programs for outside defender organizations; and collaborating with leadership to devise and implement big picture organizational goals.
• Carry a small caseload which may consist of SORA cases, direct appeals, and post-conviction motions and hearings pursuant to NY CPL 440.

Benefits

• Generous vacation time and 14 paid holidays, including Summer Fridays where the office closes early.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision and life benefits, flexible spending, and health reimbursement account.
• Professional development includes free access to the Practicing Law Institute.

Your Application
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: (1) explain your alignment with OAD’s mission, values and/or advocacy approach; and (2) what skills or experiences make you a strong candidate.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. OAD is most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. OAD will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role. 

Please note that OAD requires all staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID and provide a vaccination record at the start of employment.