Deputy Defender Litigation and Post-Conviction Support

Deputy Defender for Litigation and Post-Conviction Support

Department/Group:
Criminal

Reports To:

First Deputy Defender, Criminal Division

Supervises:
Contract Legal Writing Specialists

Location:

Office and One Day Remote from Home Office

Travel Required:

Occasional

Salary Range: $128,000 – $138,600

Position Type:
Full-Time, Exempt

The goal of the Deputy Defender for Litigation and Post-Conviction Support is to improve the quality of representation for indigent clients in criminal cases by:

• Assist criminal panel attorneys in analyzing and resolving complex legal and strategic issues.
• Assist criminal panel attorneys in writing persuasive motions and memoranda of law, as requested.
• Assign writing projects to Legal Writing Specialists and edit and supervise their work for panel attorneys.
• Remain available to address urgent legal issues that arise during trials and other court proceedings, including superior courts and proceedings held outside normal business hours.
• Coordinate with the Chief Criminal Investigator and participate in “War Room” sessions when applicable.
• Draft and appear on motions for QRF bail applications, Article 78 proceedings, Writs of Habeas Corpus, and other urgent matters where truncated timelines and the Deputy’s level of expertise make them the ideal candidate to handle such matters.
• Moderate and update the “Motions Library” on a monthly basis.
• Oversee criminal appellate panel attorneys to ensure quality representation and compliance with ILS standards.
• Monitor appellate and post-conviction attorney assignments to ensure timely completion.
• Review vouchers for appellate and post-conviction matters, when requested, to provide context on attorney billing.
• Assist in the development and implementation of training curricula for new panel attorneys and attorneys seeking to increase their level of cases.
• Prepare and teach CLE courses using written materials and training aids.
• Keep abreast of developments in the law, digest those changes, and communicate them to panel attorneys.
• Assist in reviewing panel attorneys to ensure clients receive quality representation.
• Participate in ILS’ Appellate Defender Council, providing assistance as needed, including coordinating statewide CLE programs.

• Graduation from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• Ten (10) years of legal experience, preferably including a combination of criminal trial and criminal appellate work.

• Ability to accurately analyze complex legal issues, case law, and statutes.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage a high volume of attorney requests for assistance.
• Demonstrated trial and appellate experience sufficient to advise attorneys on litigation strategy.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving indigent and underserved populations.

The Assigned Counsel Program is an Equal Opportunity Employer.