Careers

OAD is the second oldest institutional provider of appellate representation in New York City. For 36 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.

Leadership Positions

The Office of the Appellate Defender is now accepting applications for a:

Director of People and Culture

Admitted Attorneys

The Office of the Appellate Defender is now accepting applications for:

Administrative Positions

The Office of the Appellate Defender is not currently hiring for any administrative positions.

Current Law Students

The Office of the Appellate Defender has employment opportunities for current law students. These include:

Fall Semester Externship

Role: Director of People and Culture
Location: New York
Hours: Full-time, Hybrid
Salary: $106,000-$125,000

Overview of the role
The Director of People & Culture (the “Director”) will be responsible for leading all aspects of Human Resources (“HR”) including, but not limited to, recruiting, onboarding, retention, performance management, training and development, labor relations, and all other HR strategy and operations. The Director will also lead and promote an organizational culture that is consistent with OAD’s mission and values and collaborate with staff to maintain a workplace that is reflective of these values. As a member of the leadership team, the Director reports to the President and Attorney-in-Charge, and ensures that OAD complies with state, federal and local laws, as well as the Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) which governs the relationship between management and staff attorneys, paralegals, interns, client services coordinators and administrative staff.

Who You Are

Experienced. You have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher and experience in: (1) leading HR functions, ideally, in the non-profit sector and/or a legal office; (2) interpreting collective bargaining agreements, especially as the agreements intersect with human resources; and (3) building consensus and influencing change across the organization. Regardless of title, you have exceptional listening, reasoning and strategic skills with a proven ability to influence staff and stakeholders to approach their work through an equity lens. Having a professional certification (SHRM or PHR) is desirable.
Leader. You have the skills to supervise the human resources generalist and other roles as the organization grows. You possess a people-centric and culture-forward 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 can work independently but also 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 time management skills. 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

Lead work with carriers to design benefit plans, all aspects of the open enrollment process, ensuring filings and other legally required reports are submitted by deadlines.
Enhance/develop, implement, and administer human resources policies and procedures of the organization by way of systems that will improve its overall operations and effectiveness.
Implement ongoing assessment of OAD’s recruitment and retention efforts, report findings, and develop action plans that foster maintaining dedicated, high quality, and diverse staff throughout the organization.
Provide guidance and counsel to supervisors and managers on personnel matters, such as workplace performance challenges, as well as sensitive labor and employment relationship matters.
Oversee processes for review and resolution of employee grievances.
Develop, implement, and manage programs to enhance diversity and diversity initiatives, including working groups, affinity groups, and other resource groups.
Act as an internal resource for executives, directors, supervisors, and staff on complex diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, helping to find solutions that benefit teams and OAD.
Represent OAD on diversity-related topics at conferences, professional associations, and other stakeholder meetings.

Benefits

Generous vacation time and 14 paid holidays, including Summer Fridays where the office closes early.
401(k) with a defined contribution of 3% 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.

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

Role: Supervising Attorney
Location: New York
Hours: Full-time, Hybrid
Salary: $115,000 – $135,200

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.

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 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 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, 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.
Screen cases for potential issues to raise on appeal or in other post-conviction litigation.
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 consisting of direct appeals, post-conviction motions and hearings pursuant to NY CPL 440 and other post-conviction relief such as hearings to determine classification level pursuant to SORA; federal habeas corpus challenges to state court convictions; and parole proceedings and re-entry preparation.

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.

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

Role: Supervising Attorney, Director of Non-Citizen Client Project
Location: New York
Hours: Full-time, Hybrid
Salary: $115,000 – $135,200

Overview of the role

The Supervising Attorney will serve as the Director of the Non-Citizen Client Project and is a member of the management team who reports to the Deputy Attorney-in-Charge. You will provide guidance, using appropriate leadership models, including our “double-team” model, for representation of OAD’s non-citizen clients in all aspects of post-conviction and appellate work. You will also advise all OAD lawyers on matters relating to immigration law and its intersection with criminal law, including the impact of clients’ criminal convictions on their immigration status and how OAD may ameliorate that impact via appellate and post-conviction advocacy. The successful candidate has a proven track record of supporting team members in advocating for clients who have been marginalized, particularly those who are not U.S. citizens, 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 immigration law and its intersection with New York 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. Fluency in languages other than English is strongly preferred.
Leader. You have the demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage others of varying experience levels. You possess a people-centric and culture-forward 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 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

Administer OAD’s Non-Citizen Client Project by overseeing case and record intake, establishing and improving internal protocols to maintain OAD’s high standards for client-centered representation of non-citizen clients, and representing OAD in the larger community of immigration and criminal defense advocates.
Review pertinent criminal and immigration court client records to assess the immigration consequences of client convictions and draft comprehensive analyses to be reviewed by legal staff in furtherance of their representation of non-citizen clients.
Supervise attorneys on post-conviction advocacy for non-citizen clients, including developing the client relationship and communicating with clients through a trauma-informed lens; conferencing issues and developing strategy in anticipation of post-conviction and appellate litigation; reviewing and revising submissions to be filed in connection with post-conviction and appellate litigation; and providing support for attorneys.
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.
Represent non-citizen clients in direct appeals, state post-conviction relief, and other advocacy through motion practice and negotiation of immigration-safer dispositions.

Benefits

Generous vacation time and 14 paid holidays, including Summer Fridays where the office closes early.
401(k) with a defined contribution of 3% 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.

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

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.