Careers

OAD is the second oldest institutional provider of appellate representation in New York City. For 37 years, OAD has stood as a beacon of hope for people at the intersection of poverty and injustice. Our clients have been convicted of felony offenses in Manhattan and/or the Bronx and have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment and post-release supervision. Despite the circumstances of our clients’ offenses, convictions, and sentences, we believe in the humanity and dignity of every human being which informs our client-centered, trauma-informed advocacy. We are a beloved community of colleagues who are dedicated to public defense, access to justice, and racial equity.

Supervising Attorney Positions

The office of the Appellate Defender is currently hiring for the following attorney positions:

Supervising Attorney, Appeals and DVSJA Project

Overview of the role

A Supervising Attorney at OAD is a member of the management team and reports to the Deputy Attorney-in-Charge. You will provide guidance in appellate representation and post-conviction relief to staff attorneys using appropriate leadership models, including our “double-team” model, working from case inception to completion, and engaging in formal training and mentorship. 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. This Supervising Attorney will also administer OAD’s practice involving clients seeking relief under the New York’s Domestic Violence Survivor’s Justice Act (“DVSJA”), supervise DVSJA cases, and collaborate with the client services team to prepare and supervise preparation of parole applications.

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 at least ten (10) years’ experience in all aspects of criminal law and post- conviction representation; 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 by the organization and bring your awareness to all the work you do.
• 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 case management skills and have demonstrated success navigating gray areas in the law and 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, including pro-bono volunteer attorneys, and law students on 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.
• Administer OAD’s practice involving clients seeking relief under the New York’s Domestic Violence Survivor’s Justice Act (“DVSJA”) and supervise DVSJA cases.
• Collaborate with the Director of Client Services by providing a legal perspective in the preparation of parole applications and supervise some such applications.
• 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 balanced caseload consisting of direct appeals, post-conviction motions and hearings pursuant to NY CPL 440 and other post-conviction relief such as DVSJA litigation; and parole proceedings and re-entry preparation.

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.

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.

OAD is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or genetic information.

You are eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Admitted Attorneys

The Office of the Appellate Defender is not hiring for attorney.

Current Law Students

The Office of the Appellate Defender is not currently accepting applications for internships or externships.  

Administrative Positions

The Office of the Appellate Defender is currently hiring the following administrative positions.   

Administrative Assistant/Translator

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/TRANSLATOR

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Administrative Assistant is the first point of contact the public has with OAD.  We are seeking a highly organized bilingual Spanish Administrative Assistant to support daily office operations while also providing accurate interpretation and translation services.  The candidate is professional, uses good judgement, and is dedicated to social justice and OAD’s mission.  This dual-role requires a wide range of skills to support all aspects of the office – the legal practice, administration, and client services. This position is a hybrid position with four (4) days a week in-office and one (1) remote workday. Remote workdays shall not include Monday and Friday.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Answer telephones, take accurate messages and make appropriate transfers of calls.
• Meet and greet clients, guests, and vendors.
• Professional interaction with clients, families, court officials, and attorneys.
• General clerical duties, including but not limited to, sorting and scanning mail, photocopying, faxing, maintaining office equipment, etc.
• Maintain electronic and hard-copy filing system.
• Scan closed files in accordance with the file destruction policy.
• Copy court files from nearby clerk’s offices.
• Retrieve client files from the offices of local trial counsel.
• Collaborate on time-sensitive projects with attorneys and/or client services.
• Assist with client intake.
• General administrative assistance with fundraising and office events.
• Spanish/English translation in-person, via telephone, and/or written translation of correspondence and other client related materials.
• Maintains confidentiality and neutrality in all interpretation/translation and administrative work.
• Generally, open the office suite no later than 9:00AM and close no earlier than 5:00PM – Monday through Friday.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fluent in Spanish – oral and written
• Proven experience as an administrative assistant.
• Preference may be given to candidates who have proven experience as an interpreter.
• Excellent computer skills including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, and databases.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated time and task management
• Ability to learn new skills quickly.
• Able to handle a high volume of telephone calls.
• Strong belief in the value and importance of communication with and respect for clients.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary range for this role is $58,500.00 – $68,494.00 with excellent benefits, including ample paid time off, holidays and affordable health benefits.

This position is a hybrid position with four (4) days a week in-office and one (1) remote workday.  Remote workdays shall not include Monday and Friday.

TO APPLY

To join our community, please apply here. Applications will be considered, and interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.  Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter.  The cover letter should address:

• Why the applicant is interested in working at OAD.
• What skills or experiences make the applicant a strong candidate.

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas for permits. However, citizens of Canada and Mexico may be eligible to work in the U.S. under the TN visa classification pursuant to the United States-Mexico-Canda Agreement (USMCA). If applicable, OAD will provide the necessary documentation to support a TN visa application.

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.

OAD is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or genetic information.

You are eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

************************** NO AGENCIES PLEASE ***************************

Job Type: Full-time

Salary Range: $58,500.00 – $68,494.00

Work Location: Hybrid – Lower Manhattan

OAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, creed, color religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, disability or genetic information.