Criminal Defense Practice Supervising Attorney

The Bronx Defenders – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks an experienced criminal defense attorney with a commitment to public defense to work as a Supervising Attorney in our Criminal Defense Practice. 
 
The Bronx Defenders is a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system, and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. BxD seeks thoughtful, creative individuals with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our staff of over 400 includes interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, benefits specialists, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, we have developed a groundbreaking, nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense that achieves better outcomes for the people we defend. 
 
Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, family, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. Through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing, we push for systemic change at the local, state, and national levels. We take what we learn from the people we defend and communities that we work with and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change. The Criminal Defense Practice (CDP) at The Bronx Defenders consists of over 150 attorneys, investigators, social workers, practice associates, and administrators who provide comprehensive criminal defense representation to people in the Bronx facing police and criminal legal system involvement. Through a client-centered approach, our CDP legal teams strive to gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances and priorities of the people we represent. Armed with that understanding, we fight for desired outcomes by strategically raising personalized, persuasive arguments in mitigation, negotiations, and litigation. 
 
Responsibilities 
  
Reporting directly to the Managing Director or the Deputy Director of the Criminal Defense Practice, the Supervising Attorney will assist with CDP programming, development, and training while acting as a liaison between Bronx Defenders staff and actors in the criminal courthouse. 
  
Direct Representation 
 
Represent a reduced caseload in criminal court 
Work a reduced number of arraignment shifts 
Demonstrate best practices in holistic representation and criminal defense  
  
Direct Supervision 
 
Supervise approximately 7 criminal defense attorneys, including newly felony trained attorneys 
Provide equitable, culturally conscious supervision and support marginalized supervisees in navigating experiences of oppression in their work    
Regularly conference cases with supervisees 
Monitor referrals to other practices to ensure holistic representation 
Review supervisees’ written work, including signing off on all written work until the attorney is admitted to the New York Bar 
Observe in-court advocacy of supervisees and provide timely and constructive feedback and support  
Be available for co-counsel and in-court supervision  
Assist with and review all litigation preparation 
Monitor supervisees’ workload to ensure it is equitable and manageable for the supervisee 
Review LegalServer use to ensure data is accurate and up-to-date 
Assist in arranging case coverage 
Approve timesheets and time-off requests 
Supervise case and calendar management, client interaction and relationships with the judiciary and adversaries 
Supervise and encourage collaboration with other advocates and colleagues through case conferencing, coverage, and mooting litigation 
Support supervisees in meeting the expectations of their job responsibilities and notify the Managing Director when additional support is necessary 
 
Liaison in the Courthouse 
 
Represent the interests of the office in the courthouse and be available as a point of contact for the judiciary and adversaries 
Advocate with the judiciary and adversaries on behalf of attorneys and their clients 
  
Leadership Responsibilities 
 
Participate in Criminal Defense Practice supervisor meetings  
Work with fellow supervising attorneys and directors to assist with supervision, including in-court-supervision and coverage for staff attorneys  
Assist in the evaluation of attorneys and advocates every 12 months 
Assist in the development of best practices, new trainings, projects and initiatives in the practice area 
Assist with internal and external trainings and breakout sessions for CDP advocates, BxD staff, and external partners 
Advance holistic advocacy on the team and in the office