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.
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. You will also administer OAD’s practice involving clients seeking relief under the New York’s Domestic Violence Survivor’s Justice Act (“DVSJA”) and supervise DVSJA cases.
• 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 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 hearings to determine classification level pursuant to SORA; and parole proceedings and re-entry preparation.
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 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.
To join our community, please apply with a cover letter, resume and writing sample through our website at https://oadnyc.org/jobs/. 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.