Careers
OAD is the second oldest institutional provider of appellate representation in New York City. For 35 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.
Admitted Attorneys
The Office of the Appellate Defender is now accepting applications for:
Current Law Students
The Office of the Appellate Defender has employment opportunities for current law students. These include:
- Summer Internship
- Spring Semester Internship
- Fall Semester Internship
Currently, we are not accepting internship applications. Please check back during the first week of August.
Role: Managing Attorney
Location: New York
Hours: Full-time, Hybrid, in-person no less than 3 days per week
Salary: $130,000 - $145,000
Overview of the role
Reporting to the President and Attorney in charge, the Managing Attorney centralizes all administrative management responsibilities. The Director of Client Services, Office Manager, and Paralegal staff direct reports to the Managing Attorney. The Managing Attorney coordinates intra-office practice (intake, case flow, case assignments), and serves as OAD’s liaison to the courts, offices and agencies that impact case management. The Managing Attorney also oversees all non-legal staff functions. The Managing Attorney may supervise a small caseload and/or engage in parole and clemency advocacy.
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 litigation, appellate criminal practice, and/or nonprofit management experience. You have a demonstrated history of supervisory experience, with an interest in and commitment to the professional development of all staff members.
- 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
Supervision
- Provide oversight for the non-legal support staff, including but not limited to working with the office manager to develop practices and protocols surrounding reception, facilities management, office supplies, and information technology;
- Collaborate on office-wide policies and best practices, in light of the needs of the clients and the impact of racial and class disparities in the criminal legal system;
- Oversee the work of the client services team– conditions, reentry, parole – in collaboration with Director of Client Services;
- Provide training, supervision, and feedback to paralegal staff, including intake and record collection, and other substantive case support;
- Supervise AmeriCorps NLADA VISTA program and fellow(s);
- Assist in the recruitment and selection of staff.
Leadership and intra-office practice
- Gather data and prepare required reports for funders;
- Develop and maintain case filing practices and protocols;
- Field questions from staff and troubleshoot with specific case filing problems and inquiries;
- Direct support staff on hard copy filings where appropriate and necessary, such as for New York Court of Appeals cases;
- Oversee case and record intake processes;
- Develop and maintain case closure practices and protocols, including digitization of physical files, followed by archival, storage, and/or disposal of such files;
- Facilitate updates to OAD’s electronic resource portal and client management system.
External Relationships and Advocacy
- Liaise with other institutional appellate providers to develop coordinated strategies for the work we do in New York City and New York State;
- Liaise with clerks in the trial and appellate courts, for general purposes and to initiate specific case inquiries;
- Liaise with contemporaries in local District Attorneys’ offices and ensure consistent compliance with agreed-upon protocols.
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.
- Free access to the Practicing Law Institute for CLE credits and professional development.
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.
Please note that OAD requires all staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID and provide a vaccination record at the start of employment.
Role: 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
A 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 as it relates to 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. You will also provide guidance to staff attorneys on other aspects of 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 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 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 on all aspects of 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, and law students on other types of appellate and 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 which may consist of SORA cases, direct appeals, and post-conviction motions and hearings pursuant to NY CPL 440; and parole proceedings and re-entry preparation.
- Screen cases for potential issues to raise on appeal or in other post-conviction litigation.
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.
- Free access to the Practicing Law Institute for CLE credits and professional development.
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.
Please note that OAD requires all staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID and provide a vaccination record at the start of employment.