Description

Make an Impact!

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Managing Felony
Attorney to contribute to our impact on Western New York communities. This position is part of
the Criminal Defense Unit (CDU) team and is responsible for performing a variety of direct
defense, administrative, and supervisory activities in criminal law, primarily focused on the
Felony defense of indigent people. While maintaining a caseload, this position collaborates with
the Criminal Defense Unit Legal Director and Chief Attorney on all issues related to felony
practice and criminal trial litigation as well as provide assistance to the Chief Attorney in their
role as head of the Unit, acting in a support role and undertaking the activities of the Chief
Attorney when called upon. Managing Attorneys also provide litigation support in collaboration
with the Appeals Post Conviction Unit, advocate on behalf of the Bureau and its clientele;
participate in recruitment, retention, and DEI-related efforts; train new attorney and non-attorney
staff;; and other tasks as assigned by the Legal Director, Chief Attorney, Deputy Executive
Director – Criminal Practice, or the CEO of the Bureau. Given the nature of our work, this
Managing Felony Attorney is expected to work primarily on-site from our office located at 290
Main Street Suite 400, Buffalo, NY 14202.

Who are we?

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has been providing access to justice and due process to
the most vulnerable individuals, children and families in the Western New York Community for
over 100 years. Using a holistic approach, we provide quality, client-centered legal
representation in a vast range of criminal and civil matters such as mandated criminal defense,
mandated child and youth representation, consumer credit, employment, education, family, postconviction, appeals, housing, employment, and immigration. Please visit our website to learn
more. 

Why Join Us?
Mission-Drive Culture:

• Supportive work environment
• Opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration with colleagues
• Schedule Flexibility within operating hours; 7:45 am – 6 pm.

Competitive Pay: Salary ranging from $101,069 – 133,802 commensurate with relevant
experience.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
• Extensive paid time off programs – holiday, vacation, personal, sick time, and more
• Paid parenthood leave plan.
• 401(k) retirement plan with contributions made by the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo,
• Inc. between 6 and 8% when eligible.
• Life insurance.
• Voluntary supplemental insurance offerings, which include short-term disability, long-term disability, term life insurance plus more.
• Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, flexible spending account, and more.

Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness: Eligible for the Federal Public Service Loan
Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan
Forgiveness Program.

Key Responsibilities:

This includes but is not limited to:

• Supervising attorneys handling felony matters.
• Providing high quality, zealous, direct representation for up to 10% of the Criminal
• Defense Unit’s caseload, which includes, but is not limited to acting as second-chair,
  providing support and/or direct representation in Superior Court bail motions, hearings,
  trials and/or arraignments, when required.
• Engaging in regular observation of court hearings and trials and provides necessary
  feedback on observations, when necessary.
• Conducting and sharing regular, periodic evaluations of attorney representation through
  bi-weekly meetings and regularly scheduled evaluations of supervised attorneys.
• Executing administrative tasks, such as reviewing and approving Paycom entries, annual
  employee evaluations, and ensuring coverage when needed.
• Assisting in developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive training
  curricula for supervised attorneys.
• Engaging in case conferencing with supervised attorneys and/or other Bureau Units,
  when required.
• Recording significant staff performance events and conversations about those events,
  communicating staff performance and employee relations concerns to Human Resources
  and Chief Attorney.
• Supporting the training, mentoring, and coaching of interdisciplinary teams of attorneys,
  legal assistants, investigators and/or law students. This includes providing timely
  performance feedback.
• Meeting regularly and collaborating with the CDU Legal Director on all issues related to
  felony practice and criminal trial/hearing litigation within the CDU.
• Conducting regular, periodic evaluations of the Unit’s client services by completing
  timely pre-assignment conflict checks and conducting reviews of supervised attorney
  files at time of closing.
• Working closely with management, including the CEO and the Deputy Executive
  Director- Criminal Practice and the CDU Chief Attorney on impact litigation and any
  special projects of the Criminal Defense Unit and of the Bureau.

Requirements

Qualifications:

One of the following combinations of education and previous experience is required:

• Admitted to practice and in good standing with the New York State Bar.
• Five years of experience as an attorney in the practice of criminal defense or a
  combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the above
  employment standard and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

To be successful as a Managing Felony Attorney you will need to possess:

• Proven knowledge of statutory laws related to practicing Criminal Law in New York
  State, including the Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, Corrections Law and Judiciary
  Law; trial and appellate court procedures; legal research methods; rules of evidence;
  standard legal office practice and procedures; and ethical and professional rules of
  conduct.
• Superior time management skills with the ability to multi-task and perform a high
  volume of administrative responsibilities.
• Demonstrated management and leadership skills necessary to effectively supervise and
  support diverse personalities and organizational systems to support long-term goals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities across diverse audiences and
  settings.
• Strategic thinking and ability to analyze information and data.
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the unit and unit staff.
• Computer proficiency, including, but not limited to, Microsoft applications and digital
  legal research using online databases and legal information platforms.
• Ability to use sound judgement while maintaining confidentiality and objectivity.
• Must have demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse and
  interdisciplinary teams while ensuring an inclusive work environment.

It is also desirable to possess:

• Previous managerial experience