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The Legal Aid Society · 4 hours ago

Staff Attorney, Decarceration Project

New York, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$84K/yr - $152K/yr

5+ years exp

The Legal Aid Society is seeking an experienced attorney for its Decarceration Project, which aims to reimagine public defenders' approach to pretrial detention. The role involves strategic litigation, policy advocacy, and providing support to ensure clients can return to their communities after arrest, while also serving as an in-house expert on bail and pretrial detention issues.

ConsultingFamilyGovernmentLegalNon Profit

No H1B

Responsibilities

Work closely with trial attorneys, social workers, and paraprofessionals in the assigned borough to advocate for the release of clients who are being detained pretrial in New York City jails

Challenge adverse pretrial detention decisions using writs of habeas corpus, appeals, and other strategic litigation and advocacy

Anticipate and respond to novel legal issues relevant to pretrial detention

Identify and develop potentially precedent-setting cases with an eye towards the Court of Appeals

Work with colleagues in the Special Litigation Unit to identify the need for strategic litigation

Monitor changes in the practices of the assigned borough, and work with colleagues in the Policy Unit to identify the need for systemic advocacy

Inform discussions with system stakeholders regarding pre-trial detention issues

Timely collect data to inform priorities and to fulfill reporting requirements to funders

Conduct trainings on the law and practice relevant to pretrial advocacy in the assigned borough

Develop advisories, model templates, and resource guides that elevate the borough's release advocacy practice

Participate in continuous professional development

Stay abreast of changes in the law relevant to bail and pre-trial detention

Other duties as assigned

Qualification

New York State Bar AdmissionFelony Trial DefenseJuvenile Defense ExperienceAppellate Litigation ExperienceExtradition Law FamiliarityPolicy Development ExperienceLegislative Advocacy ExperienceConstitutional Rights LitigationStrategic LitigationClient AdvocacyTraining DevelopmentData Collection