Staff Attorney, DNA Unit

The Criminal Defense Practice of The Legal Aid Society has openings for a Staff Attorney in its DNA Forensics Unit. The positions are in our Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens Trial Offices.

The DNA Unit was created in 2013 to provide citywide training, support and resources to attorneys whose clients are charged with forensic evidence, including DNA, fingerprint, ballistics, firearm and toolmark analysis.  Staff Attorneys in the DNA Forensics Unit are the Society's in-house experts in forensic science matters and provide support for Criminal Defense Practice attorneys and other defense attorneys.  They maintain caseloads pertaining to matters where DNA evidence or other forensic feature comparison methods are involved and provide support, including expert assistance and second-seating cases handled by other Society attorneys.

All members of this citywide unit work together to develop, implement, and coordinate Society policy and litigation strategy concerning forensic science matters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide guidance and support to Society attorneys handling DNA and forensic feature comparison evidence, assist in drafting motions (e.g., oppositions to compel DNA, pretrial suppression, Frye motions), research controlling case law, develop litigation strategies, coordinate and participate in meetings with laboratories and defense experts, assist with trial preparation, and second-seat trials, where appropriate
• Represent clients pertaining to matters where DNA evidence or other forensic feature comparison methods are involved
• Provide in-house and external training on DNA analysis and other forensic feature comparisons.
• Provide back-up support for other DNA Forensics Unit attorneys (citywide), as needed
• Keep up with novel advanced DNA technologies and novel forensic feature comparison methodologies and techniques
• Working substantially and collegially with others, including but not limited to Society attorneys, criminal legal system stakeholders (i.e., laboratories), and other defense organizations
• Advocate for policy changes, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Admission to New York State Bar
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience, including experience handling felony caseload, preferred

Preferred qualifications:  

• Science background preferred
• Substantial background in forensics or the demonstrated aptitude and willingness to acquire such knowledge and to maintain expertise, particularly in such areas as forensic biology and statistics
• Excellent and clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex issues into clear and concise principles
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; must be able to coordinate responsibilities with the 2nd DNA Forensics resource attorney in the borough
• Excellent oral advocacy, research and writing skills
• Excellent ability to train other staff
• Excellent judgment
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively and respectfully within a citywide team

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: $84,000- $152,500

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.