The Supervising Attorney will serve as Director of the Reinvestigation Project and is a member of the management team who reports to the Deputy Attorney-in-Charge. You will oversee OAD’s Reinvestigation team, including case intake and distribution. You will provide guidance, using appropriate leadership models, including our “double-team” model, for representation on wrongful conviction cases and other appellate and post-conviction cases. You will advise OAD staff on emerging developments in the law and science regarding factors which contribute to wrongful convictions. The successful candidate has a proven track record of supporting team members in advocating for clients who have been marginalized and significant experience in case investigation and in criminal defense trial, appellate, and/or post-conviction litigation work.
What You Will Do
- Administer OAD’s Reinvestigation Project by overseeing the wrongful conviction team’s litigation, as well as case review and intake, developing and improving internal protocols to maintain OAD’s high standards for client-centered representation, and establishing relationships with pertinent external partners such as investigators, experts, and District Attorneys Offices’ Conviction Integrity Units.
- Supervise attorneys on other appellate and post-conviction advocacy, including developing the client relationship and communicating with clients through a trauma-informed lens; conferencing issues, developing strategy, and reviewing and revising submissions to be filed in connection with post-conviction and appellate litigation; and providing support for attorneys.
- Oversee and perform case reinvestigations by, among other things, reviewing trial discovery, interviewing trial attorneys, conducting field investigations, and engaging investigators and experts.
- Consciously create and enhance a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work culture that is supportive, collaborative, and affirming to clients and colleagues by training and mentoring attorneys and law students; providing CLE and training programs for outside defender organizations; and collaborating with leadership to devise and implement big picture organizational goals.
- Carry a small caseload which may consist of reinvestigation cases, direct appeals, and post-conviction motions and hearings pursuant to NY CPL 440.