Jobs at Neighborhood Defender Service Inc

Build and lead NDS’s unified advancement function across national and local offices. The role oversees institutional fundraising, develops an individual giving program, manages funder relationships and proposals, leads storytelling and communications, and establishes advancement systems, workflows, and performance tracking. It also supervises a small team, coordinates with finance and program leaders, and develops long-term staffing and resourcing plans.

Represents indigent clients in serious criminal cases through arraignments, hearings, negotiations, trials, sentencings, and appeals. Conducts client and family interviews, legal research, motion and brief writing, and coordinates investigators, social workers, advocates, and administrators. Collaborates across practice areas to achieve holistic outcomes while managing a high caseload and providing effective oral advocacy. Requires commitment to criminal justice, racial equity, and public defense.

Provides holistic criminal defense representation to indigent clients in Wayne County. Responsibilities include frequent court appearances, litigation, client and family interviews, legal research, motion and memorandum drafting, oral advocacy, case strategy, and coordination with investigators, social workers, advocates, and administrators. The attorney also collaborates with immigration, civil, and family defense colleagues to achieve comprehensive client outcomes.

Provides court-appointed criminal defense representation for indigent clients throughout the criminal justice process. Responsibilities include court appearances, client and family interviews, legal research, motion and brief writing, trial preparation, negotiations, oral advocacy, mitigation and alternatives-to-incarceration advocacy, records review, and interdisciplinary case strategy. The attorney maintains confidential records, visits clients in custody, communicates with supervisors and team members, and supports culturally competent, client-centered representation.

Provides vigorous homicide defense representation in Manhattan criminal courts, including arraignments, hearings, motions, negotiations, grand jury proceedings, and trials. Interviews clients and families, conducts legal research, prepares legal documents, manages discovery, coordinates interdisciplinary defense teams, collaborates across practice areas, mentors staff, and supports clients facing serious criminal charges. The role requires extensive homicide litigation experience, strong advocacy and writing skills, organizational ability, and eligibility for the First Department 18b Homicide Panel.

Provides immigration representation for noncitizen clients, including removal defense, motions to reopen or reconsider, appeals, habeas petitions, and federal litigation. Advises clients and criminal defense attorneys on immigration consequences, drafts legal documents, conducts research, coordinates interdisciplinary teams, presents oral arguments, and participates in community outreach and policy work.