The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice seeks a visionary and justice-driven Attorney-in-Charge (AIC) to lead its Bronx County Trial Office. This role is ideal for a dynamic leader who is deeply committed to trial litigation and advocacy, racial justice and equity, transformative public defense, and the growth and empowerment of interdisciplinary teams.
The AIC will guide and collaborate with a diverse staff of attorneys, social workers, paralegals, and support professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous learning. With a strong foundation in trial advocacy and team leadership, the AIC will champion exceptional defense representation that centers the dignity and humanity of every client.
This position is not only about managing operations, but also about inspiring a new generation of public defenders, investing in their professional development, and ensuring an affirming workplace. The AIC will collaborate across The Legal Aid Society and with external partners to advance systemic change, reduce harm, and uphold the organization’s mission that no New Yorker should be denied the right to equal justice.
As a key member of the organization’s leadership, the AIC will help shape strategic priorities, mentor emerging leaders, and build bridges with communities most impacted by the criminal legal system. This is a unique opportunity to lead with purpose, advocate with integrity, and make a lasting impact on the lives of New Yorkers.
The Legal Aid Society is the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit law firm, and the largest law firm in New York, rooted in the belief that justice for all, not just those who can afford it. For nearly a century and a half, we have stood alongside New Yorkers who have been silenced, marginalized, or criminalized—offering not just legal representation, but a powerful voice for dignity, equity, and systemic change.
With a presence in every borough and a reach that benefits over two million New Yorkers, annually, our Civil, Criminal Defense, and Juvenile Rights Practices provide an unparalleled depth of expertise to the city’s most vulnerable communities. Whether in courtrooms, communities, or policy arenas, we are committed to breaking down barriers to justice and building a more equitable future for all.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
As Attorney-in-Charge, you will serve as a transformational leader for the Bronx County Criminal Defense Trial Office—guiding a team of passionate advocates committed to justice, equity, and the power of community-centered defense.
Lead with vision and compassion, overseeing daily operations while cultivating a culture of excellence, inclusion, and mutual respect
Inspire and empower a multidisciplinary team of attorneys, investigators, social workers, paralegals, and support staff to deliver holistic, client-centered advocacy
Champion racial equity and social justice, ensuring that every aspect of the office’s work reflects a deep commitment to dismantling systemic racism and uplifting impacted communities
Serve as a bridge-builder, representing the office in critical conversations with the District Attorney’s Office, the Office of Court Administration, elected officials, and community partners
Respond with integrity to the needs and concerns of clients, staff, and community members, fostering trust and transparency
Assess and advocate for the resources necessary to support staff well-being, professional growth, and sustainable workloads
Shape legal strategy with creativity and courage, ensuring that every case is approached with rigor, innovation, and a commitment to justice
Model collaborative leadership, encouraging open communication, shared decision-making, and collective accountability
Mentor and develop leaders, investing in the growth of supervisory staff and nurturing the next generation of public defenders
Prioritize professional development, creating opportunities for learning, reflection, and advancement across all roles
Balance competing demands with clarity, empathy, and strategic foresight
Embrace the evolving needs of the office and the communities it serves, taking on additional responsibilities as needed to advance the mission
Support the needs of the entire organization by providing essential services or coordinating key initiatives
Drive efficiency and optimize workflows to support company-wide objectives
Manage initiatives that impact multiple departments, focusing on outcomes and results rather than just methods
Adapt quickly to changing needs and requests from various colleagues and departments
Proactively identify and resolve potential issues that may impact department and organizational effectiveness
Additional duties as needed or assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
Required qualifications:
Licensed to practice law in New York State
15+ years of criminal defense experience, with a strong foundation in litigation and trial advocacy
10+ years of leadership and management experience, with a proven ability to guide diverse, interdisciplinary teams
A demonstrated commitment to transformative legal practice, including holistic defense and community engagement
A deep understanding of racial equity, anti-oppression frameworks, and the role of public defenders in advancing systemic change
A passion for mentorship, coaching, and professional development, with a track record of building inclusive, empowered teams
Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Strong legal research and writing abilities, with fluency in relevant technologies
Experience in recruiting, hiring, and retaining diverse talent
A collaborative spirit and a steadfast belief in the power of teamwork that drives meaningful change
Solutions-driven mindset
Ability to establish priorities and work independently while keeping the broader team and other department and leadership members informed
Adaptability and flexibility
Organizational Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Commitment to Legal Aid Society’s mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers
Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships
Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect
Commitment to Legal Aid Society’s mission and values
Physical, environment, travel, and other duties required:
Mostly sedentary, significant time using a computer and monitor; communicating and meeting using video
Requires occasional or frequent physical movement to perform essential job functions which may include, bending, reaching, pulling, pushing, standing or walking for long periods of time, accessing small spaces
May or will require travel within NYC, across the five-borough region
* For positions noted as essential, this will require either remote or in-person work during times of closure or otherwise non-typical business hours which may include evenings and weekends and during unforeseen events such as inclement weather or poor air quality conditions.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.
Salary Range: $201,755
The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.
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.
studentaid.gov
hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs
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.)
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:
Cover Letter
Resume
For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
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 (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us and our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.
Location
Bronx – Criminal Defense Practice Office