About the job
The Criminal Defense Practice has an opening for a Citywide Mitigation Specialist. The Mitigation Specialist plays a pivotal role in the Legal Aid Society’s Defends model, collaborating with both attorney and non-attorney staff to analyze, develop, and present mitigation evidence on behalf of clients. The primary role is to interview clients, and any collateral contacts, with the goal of gathering a life history to highlight mitigating circumstances such as mental illness, drug addiction, trauma and/or chronic poverty leading to a client’s involvement in the criminal justice system.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Foster and sustain meaningful relationships with clients, their families, various service providers, and subject-matter experts
- Investigate, analyze, develop, summarize, and present mitigation evidence from clients’ life histories
- Conduct interviews with clients’ family, friends, community members, and other individuals
- Identify and collaborate with appropriate experts to obtain reports and prepare for hearings, enhancing the depth and credibility of defense strategies
- Obtain, analyze, and summarize clients’ medical, mental health, social, and school records to corroborate mitigation arguments
- Prepare detailed reports gathered through interviewing, research, and record collection
- Maintain organized and accurate records, updating databases, calendars, and files to ensure efficient case management and compliance with legal requirements
- Assist in data collection and analysis to inform strategic decision-making
- Conduct thorough research of mitigating themes to provide evidence-based support to client stories
- Prepare for and provide compelling court testimony, effectively communicating findings and evidence to support clients’ cases
- Perform any other duties as assigned, contributing to the overall effectiveness and success of the defense team
- Work with the client and defense team’s mitigation specialist to create a timeline of important dates having to do with client’s life
- Coordinating teams video conferences with incarcerated clients, including communicating with Upstate facilities
- The mitigation specialist will be expected to familiarize themselves with software such as Slack, Frame-io, and Descript
- Strong diagnostic skills with a background emphasis in working with clients with the following special needs: physical illnesses and disabilities, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and developmental delays, and histories of substance abuse
- Ability to interface with Judges, District Attorneys and Correctional Personnel
- Ability to write persuasively
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strong computer skills
- Ability to work within a team model
- A MSW degree and NYS certification in social work (LMSW)
- Proof of NYS Social Work License will need to be provided before final decision of employment
- Skill in working with people from diverse backgrounds
- Commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, compassion, and integrity
- Experience working with and advocating for individuals from marginalized communities
- Detail-oriented with outstanding organizational skills
- Ability to locate, obtain, review, analyze, and summarize relevant records
- Excellent interviewing, verbal, and written communication skills; writing and presentation skills
- Ability to prioritize projects while working both independently and collaboratively
- Experience conducting research and applying findings effectively to support case strategies
- Ability and willingness to travel
SALARY TRANSPARENCY
The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.
Salary Range/ Salary: $81,195 – $120,690
Salary And Benefits
The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Salaries for our unionized jobs are governed by our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please visit our Careers page for additional information. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants, when and if an offer is made.
Click here to read more about the benefits of working at The Legal Aid Society
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.
hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
The leadership of 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, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
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.)