Supervising Attorney, Director of Reinvestigation Project

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.

Who You Are

• Experienced. You are a member, in good standing, of a bar in any jurisdiction and possess or can obtain NY licensure within a reasonable time. You have extensive experience with criminal and/or post-conviction appellate litigation, and experience with New York litigation in trial court is strongly preferred; supervision experience, including oversight of cases, is required; demonstrated commitment to representing people convicted of crimes and experiencing poverty, and a strong belief in the value of communication with clients; outstanding legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills; and ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Leader. You have demonstrated the ability to lead teams and manage others of varying experience levels. You possess a people-centric, collaborative, and inclusive approach to managing relationships in the workplace. You do not fear change and are solution-oriented when differences arise. You challenge others to seek innovative and creative approaches to advocacy and encourage ongoing development by providing effective performance feedback and evaluation.
• Culturally Aware and Sensitive. You understand what it means to work with and for individuals whose backgrounds and lived experiences are different from your own with sensitivity and humility. You are willing to learn more about the impacted and marginalized identities of people served by the organization and bring your awareness to all the work you do.
• Clear Communicator. You can communicate clearly and concisely. You provide useful feedback to the people working with you. You adopt an organizational voice to ensure written or oral communications are consistent with the inclusive culture we strive to maintain and build upon.
• Collaborative. You work effectively across roles to create a holistic environment to best address client needs.
• Passionate. You care deeply about people served by OAD and are enthusiastic about challenging the inequities of the criminal justice system.
• Agile. You have strong organizational and time management skills and have demonstrated success navigating gray areas in the law and working with competing priorities. You maintain composure and positivity in stressful situations. You are willing to take on new projects as the needs of the office or practice change.

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.