Description

The New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) is seeking applications for Staff Attorneys to work in our Discovery and Forensic Support Unit within the Public Defense Backup Center. NYSDA’s Backup Center promotes excellence in legal representation for low-income people who are involved in the criminal and family court systems throughout the State of New York. This is an exciting opportunity for experienced lawyers who are passionate about elevating public defense and supporting defenders statewide. The Backup Center identifies best practices and emerging challenges to high-quality legal assistance and provides public defenders and assigned counsel with support and resources to assist in and elevate their work on behalf of clients. 

NYSDA, a not-for-profit, membership organization, has been responding to the need for support of New York's public defense community since 1967. NYSDA’s mission is to improve the quality and scope of publicly supported legal representation to people who cannot afford counsel. In addition to the Backup Center, NYSDA provides services through its Veterans Defense Program, Public Defense Recruitment and Retention Program, and Public Defense Case Management System. NYSDA also offers high-quality training to public defense attorneys, investigators, social workers, and other members of the public defense community. The Backup Center is instrumental in assisting defenders around the state to advance quality representation in criminal and family court cases. Our Backup Center Staff Attorneys have a wide variety of experiences and expertise. 

Staff Attorneys in our Discovery and Forensic Support Unit act as resource attorneys, providing specialized forensic support and guidance to defenders and other members of defense teams through case consultations, legal research, training, development of resource guides and other publications, expert witness referrals, and short- and long-term projects.

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Prepare regular updates on legal developments for the public defense community.
• Provide case consultations to defense attorneys in criminal and family court cases.
• Provide referrals to experts and other professionals for defense attorneys.
• Develop resource materials and best practices guides for defenders and defense offices regarding substantive and procedural issues.
• Stay up to date on best practices, trends, caselaw developments, and legislative proposals in New York and other states.
• Other responsibilities and projects assigned by the Executive Director or Deputy Director.

Salary: $90,000 - $130,000, depending on experience. NYSDA offers a generous benefit package, including paid vacation, personal, sick time, and parental leave; health, dental, and vision insurance coverage; FSA; and 403(b) with employer contribution after one year. 

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience 

• Admitted to practice law in New York with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in criminal defense and/or adult family court representation.
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to public defense, NYSDA’s mission to improve the quality and scope of representation to individuals who cannot afford counsel, and advancing equitable and racial justice.
• Proficiency with technology, including Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and other online software.
• Ability to travel around New York State, including locations that do not have public transportation.

 Preferred Qualifications and Experience 

•  Familiarity with quality assurance standards, accreditation processes, and validation methodologies.
• Experience working with expert witnesses, consultants, and scientists.
• Experience with cases involving large volumes of discovery (paper and electronic). 
• Experience working with defense team members and experts on forensic issues.
• Experience working in a public defense office, legal aid organization, or assigned counsel program.

NYSDA’s main office is in Albany, NY. Applicants must be able to work in Albany or hybrid/remotely from within New York State with the ability to travel to the Albany office regularly and as requested. The position involves occasional travel to trainings, meetings, and professional development events. Some evening and weekend hours may be required. 

To apply, click here. Applicants must upload a resume and a cover letter with writing sample. Applications without the required materials will not be considered. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

NYSDA is an equal opportunity employer. NYSDA values diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages candidates of all identities, orientations, experiences, and communities to apply.