Staff Attorney, Criminal Appeals Bureau - Entry Level Fall 2027

The Legal Aid Society has openings for Staff Attorneys in the Criminal Appeals Bureau (CAB) unit, to start in or around September 2027.

CAB provides legal representation for people who have been convicted of a crime and cannot afford to pay an attorney. CAB is the largest post-conviction public defender in New York City, annually serving over 1,000 people with misdemeanor and felony convictions. Through our appellate practice, CAB advocates against the unjust and illegal judgments in the criminal legal system. CAB’s model of litigation provides well-researched and rigorous legal advocacy while centering our clients and their stories in the process.  Additionally, CAB’s holistic practice, in partnership with the many other units of The Legal Aid Society, addresses both the direct and the collateral consequences that profoundly impact a person after their conviction.

CAB staff attorneys are responsible for managing a large and diverse caseload, including appellate briefs and oral arguments at New York’s intermediate appellate courts and the New York Court of Appeals, as well as a variety of other postconviction proceedings and sex offender registration hearings. Staff attorneys provide zealous and effective representation, through regular communication with clients and a practice that incorporates creativity, thoroughness, and excellent judgment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain organizational skills and practices necessary in order to manage a high-volume caseload consisting of direct appeals, CPL 440.10 and 440.20 motions, sex offender registration hearings and risk-level modification petitions, and other post-conviction relief
• Develop and exercise judgment on approaching cases from a lens of creativity and client-centeredness
• Research and analyze caselaw, statutes, treatises, and other secondary sources
• Draft and revise briefs in preparation for filing
• Review, brainstorm, and discuss case strategy with colleagues and supervisors
• Prepare for and advocate orally in front of trial courts and appellate courts, as needed
• Regularly communicate with and advise clients of the appellate process and possible options, including withdrawals of appeals where appropriate
• Participate in continuing education on best practices, legal and case developments, the impact of race, wealth, and gender on the criminal legal system
• Demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment for all staff members within CAB
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Be admitted to the New York State Bar or law school graduate eligible to practice under The Legal Aid Society's Practice Order
• Knowledge of the law of evidence, criminal and constitutional law, statutory interpretation, and ethical principles contained in the Rules of Professional Conduct
• Excellent writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with all members of the staff
• Ability to work independently with personal initiative and organization
• Commitment to serving low-income communities and communities of color
• Demonstrated thoughtfulness on the role of attorneys in public defense, social and racial justice, and equity

Preferred qualifications:  

• Criminal appellate experience or equivalent post-conviction experience
• Experience working with people who are incarcerated in prison

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $86,520 - $157,075

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.

Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below. 

studentaid.gov

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:

• Cover Letter
• Resume 
• Writing Sample

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email [email protected].

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us and our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.