Attorney-Misdemeanor Defense Program

(ATTORNEY – MISDEMEANOR DEFENSE PROGRAM)

Hiscock Legal Aid (HLA), founded in 1949, is a non-profit agency located in Syracuse, New York. Committed to promoting equal justice under the law, HLA is a primary provider of legal services for low-income individuals in Central New York. Learn more about our mission law.org.

Hiscock Legal Aid (HLA) seeks an experienced attorney, recently admitted lawyer, or a law graduate awaiting admission to join our newly created Misdemeanor Defense Program. This new program launched thanks to a contract from Onondaga County and provides comprehensive representation from arraignment through final disposition to individuals charged with misdemeanors and violations in Syracuse City Court, including traffic court and problem‑solving courts.

Attorneys work collaboratively under the guidance and direction of the Managing Attorney and Supervising Attorney to provide high-quality criminal defense representation and are supported by a strong team of four law assistants, a social worker, and an investigator.

• Represent clients at arraignments, pretrial hearings, negotiations, motions, trials, and sentencings
• Conduct client interviews and legal research
• Engage in motion practice and trial advocacy
• Work collaboratively with investigators, social workers, and support staff
• Maintain thorough case documentation using Legal Server, our case management system
• Uphold HLA’s commitment to client-centered, trauma-informed representation

Admission in good standing to the New York Bar, or eligibility for admission no later than January 2027. Strong courtroom presence and litigation skills. Both written and oral advocacy skills. Commitment to helping people in need and client-centered representation. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Diverse economic, social, and/or cultural experiences, with other language proficiency preferred.

A sense of humor is strongly appreciated.

Base salary of $81,000 to $105,000 annually for all attorneys admitted to New York Bar depending on candidate qualifications and experience, and lawyers in the Misdemeanor Defense Program receive an additional $5,000 annual stipend in addition to their base salary. Law graduates awaiting admission to the Bar and eligible for a practice order start at $71,000 annually and receive a $10,000 salary increase upon admission.

• Excellent fringe benefits include generous paid vacation, sick, and personal leave totaling more than 30 days per year
• minimum of 14 paid holidays per year
• health, dental, life, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• reduced membership to the YMCA of CNY
• $100 monthly parking/transportation stipend
• reimbursement for bi-annual attorney registration and other professional fees
• and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Enjoy standard office hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, and from Memorial Day until Labor Day staff can frequently take advantage of summer hours and leave at 4:00 pm. However, attorneys may need to occasionally work outside these hours to fulfill professional obligations.

In a typical week, attorneys must be in office the equivalent of 3 full days each week, and can work from home up to the equivalent of two full days if professional obligations allow.

Hiscock Legal Aid is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities to apply.