The New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) is seeking a Legal Director to lead and coordinate the Public Defense Backup Center’s legal program, which provides resources and direct defender support to public defense attorneys statewide. The Backup Center’s legal program is currently staffed with staff attorneys, Discovery and Forensic Support Unit attorneys, a training coordinator, and a legal assistant, and is expected to grow in the coming year. As a member of the leadership team, the Legal Director will collaborate with NYSDA’s other programs to ensure cohesive services that align with the organization’s mission and vision for client-centered high-quality representation throughout the state.
The Legal Director will keep abreast of the criminal, family, and related laws that impact public defense work, and will establish goals and guide the allocation of work among the legal team members. The ideal candidate will have significant experience managing attorneys and legal staff as well as expertise in issues of public defense and criminal and family law.
NYSDA, a not-for-profit, membership organization, has been providing support to New York’s public defense community since 1967. NYSDA’s mission is to improve the quality and scope of publicly supported legal representation to people who cannot afford counsel. NYSDA operates the state’s Public Defense Backup Center, which provides legal support services, training programs, its Public Defense Case Management System, and other services to public defense offices and assigned counsel attorneys throughout the state. NYSDA offers high quality training to public defense attorneys, investigators, social workers, and other members of the public defense team. The Backup Center is instrumental in assisting defenders around the state to advance quality representation in criminal and family court cases.
Duties and Responsibilities
· Oversee direct defender support, including case consultations, publications and resources, and training.
· Supervise the Backup Center’s legal team, including the Discovery and Forensic Support Unit.
· Evaluate and enhance intake procedures and recordkeeping.
· Ensure policies and procedures to maintain confidentiality.
· Collaborate with other programs, including the Veterans Defense Program, Public Defense Recruitment and Retention project, and the Public Defense Case Management System program.
· Review requests for amicus briefs, make recommendations to the Executive Director, and manage the preparation of amicus briefs.
· Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of New York’s public defense system to increase organizational impact, including criminal, family, and related areas of law, and key legal issues affecting public defenders and their clients.
· Build and cultivate relationships with other defense organizations, advocacy groups, and grassroots organizations; participate in committees and working groups as appropriate.
· Ensure that legal team members have clear roles and responsibilities and that assignments have clear goals and objectives; guide professional development for legal team members.
The above duties and responsibilities are intended to provide a framework of the position’s requirements and are not intended to cover all functions of the role. The Legal Director may be required to perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Director or Executive Director.
The position is eligible for NYSDA’s generous benefit package, including paid vacation, personal, sick, and parental leave; health, dental, and vision insurance coverage; flexible spending account; and 403(b) with an employer contribution after one year.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Deputy Director Natalie Brocklebank at nbrocklebank@nysda.org (subject line: Legal Director). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Expected start date: January 2025.
NYSDA is an equal opportunity employer. NYSDA values diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages candidates of all identities, orientations, experiences, and communities to apply.