Description

The Criminal Defense Practice (CDP) at The Bronx Defenders consists of over 150 attorneys, investigators, social workers, practice associates, and administrators who provide comprehensive criminal defense representation to people in the Bronx facing police and criminal legal system involvement. Through a client-centered approach, our CDP legal teams strive to gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances and priorities of the people we represent. Armed with that understanding, we fight for desired outcomes by strategically raising personalized, persuasive arguments in mitigation, negotiations, and litigation. 
 
Responsibilities 
  
Reporting directly to the Managing Director or the Deputy Director of the Criminal Defense Practice, the Supervising Attorney will assist with CDP programming, development, and training while acting as a liaison between Bronx Defenders staff and actors in the criminal courthouse. 
  
Direct Representation 
 
Represent a reduced caseload in criminal court 
Work a reduced number of arraignment shifts 
Demonstrate best practices in holistic representation and criminal defense  
  
Direct Supervision 
 
Supervise approximately 7 criminal defense attorneys, including newly felony trained attorneys 
Provide equitable, culturally conscious supervision and support marginalized supervisees in navigating experiences of oppression in their work 
Regularly conference cases with supervisees 
Monitor referrals to other practices to ensure holistic representation 
Review supervisees’ written work, including signing off on all written work until the attorney is admitted to the New York Bar 
Observe in-court advocacy of supervisees and provide timely and constructive feedback and support  
Be available for co-counsel and in-court supervision  
Assist with and review all litigation preparation 
Monitor supervisees’ workload to ensure it is equitable and manageable for the supervisee 
Review LegalServer use to ensure data is accurate and up-to-date 
Assist in arranging case coverage 
Approve timesheets and time-off requests 
Supervise case and calendar management, client interaction and relationships with the judiciary and adversaries 
Supervise and encourage collaboration with other advocates and colleagues through case conferencing, coverage, and mooting litigation 
Support supervisees in meeting the expectations of their job responsibilities and notify the Managing Director when additional support is necessary 
 
Liaison in the Courthouse 
 
Represent the interests of the office in the courthouse and be available as a point of contact for the judiciary and adversaries 
Advocate with the judiciary and adversaries on behalf of attorneys and their clients 
  
Leadership Responsibilities 
 
Participate in Criminal Defense Practice supervisor meetings  
Work with fellow supervising attorneys and directors to assist with supervision, including in-court-supervision and coverage for staff attorneys  
Assist in the evaluation of attorneys and advocates every 12 months 
Assist in the development of best practices, new trainings, projects and initiatives in the practice area 
Assist with internal and external trainings and breakout sessions for CDP advocates, BxD staff, and external partners 
Advance holistic advocacy on the team and in the office 
 

Requirements

To be eligible, candidates must have:  
 
Minimum of 5 years working as a criminal defense attorney in a public defender office, including experience practicing criminal defense in New York State 
Membership in good standing or eligibility for prompt admission to the New York Bar   
 
Candidates must demonstrate:  
 
Commitment to directly defending people ensnared in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal systems, 
Commitment to challenging systemic injustice and carceral systems with fierce advocacy; strategically challenging authority in defense of the people we represent, 
Experience working in and with racially and ethnically marginalized communities of color targeted by systemic injustice 
Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people from various backgrounds and experiences 
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers  
Effective research, writing, and courtroom advocacy skills 
Strong legal analytical skills and the capacity to employ non-legal resources to support the people we represent 
Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment  
Meticulous attention to detail 
Ability to think critically and creatively, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles 
Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection, and shift behavior accordingly 
Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality around sensitive issues 
Varied litigation experience, including experience making de novo bail applications, conducting pretrial hearings, and filing novel legal motions 
Commitment to fierce advocacy, and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of clients 
Ability to work collaboratively with external stakeholders, such as the Office of Court Administration (OCA) and Bronx Community Solutions (BCS)  
Supervisory and mentoring skills including: 
Interest in and commitment to developing and mentoring supervisees 
Ability to provide intentional and constructive feedback 
Flexibility in balancing needs of supervisees against their own caseload  
 
This is an in-person position.