Criminal Defense Practice Leader

Still She Rises, Inc. (SSR) provides free legal representation to pregnant women, mothers, and women who are caregivers of children, who have been brought into the criminal and family policing legal systems. Founded in North Tulsa, Still She Rises is the first holistic defense office in the country dedicated exclusively to the representation of mothers in both the criminal and civil legal systems.

We honor the dignity of the women we serve by championing the goals of each individual client, while also targeting systemic issues impacting the larger community.

This role is a co-leadership position working equally and collaboratively with another Criminal Practice Leader. The Criminal Practice Leaders will co-lead the Criminal Defense Practice and provide oversight of the day-to-day operations and development of the practice. Working collaboratively with the Legal Director, the Practice Leaders will be responsible for ensuring that the Criminal Defense Practice is aligned with the strategic goals set out by the Executive Director.

The ideal Criminal Practice Leader will be a leader who showcases a record of investment in client-centered holistic legal advocacy and is invigorated by developing others.

• Further develop and continuously elevate the standard of practice through innovative motions, arguments, and strategies.
• Collaborate with Co-Practice Leader and Legal Director to develop and implement training materials for new staff as well as ongoing skill and knowledge trainings.
• Collaborate with other SSR leadership to implement policies, procedures and tools used to develop the practice area and coordinate with the interdisciplinary practice as a whole.
• Manage relationships with court system players to facilitate efficient and effective advocacy.

• Supervise the day-to-day work of attorneys, and paralegal in the criminal defense practice.
• Manage intake and case assignments, practice priority implementation, and supervision of appearances, hearings and trials as needed.
• Support attorneys in their professional development including conducting performance reviews, providing regular feedback, coaching staff in applying best practices, and identifying appropriate resources and training events.

• Co-chair felony cases with junior attorneys to support team development and capacity building.

• Invest in the continued growth and development of all team members.
• Model thoughtfulness, responsiveness and safety to team members and clients.
• Enforce SSR’s values and commitment to those values through specific behaviors.
• Promote a culture of inclusion and belonging for our clients and team members.

The ideal candidate will have most if not all of the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

• 5 + years of criminal defense practice experience, including complex felonies.
• J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Prior experience managing and developing individual team members.
• Enthusiastic alignment and commitment to SSR’s mission, vision and values.
• Ability and desire to manage multiple projects at once.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial, gender and social equity and against institutional racism.
• Desire AND experience working with or on behalf of members or marginalized communities.
• Sound decision‑making skills and ability to set clear priorities.

• Experience practicing in Oklahoma criminal courts.
• 5+ years of progressive work experience.
• Exceptional team building and management skills.
• Experience working on collaborative, interdisciplinary legal teams.

$120,000. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, FSA, and 401K with 4% employer contribution. Relocation support.

Upload a cover letter and resume in one document at Careers on stilllsherises.org. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Still She Rises is proud to be 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, orientations, and communities to apply.