The Legal Aid Society · 2 hours ago
Staff Attorney, Decarceration Project
New York, NY
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$84K/yr - $152K/yr
5+ years expThe 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
Required
Admission to the New York State Bar
Minimum 5 years legal experience, including at least 3 years in felony trial level defense
Preferred
Experience in juvenile or adolescent defense preferred
State or federal level appellate litigation experience preferred
Familiarity with extradition law preferred
Experience in policy development, coalition work, and legislative advocacy preferred
Litigation experience implicating constitutional or civil rights issues preferred
Benefits
Health insurance
Paid vacation
Disability
Life insurance
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments
Company
The Legal Aid Society
The Legal Aid Society is a legal firm that focuses on civil services, criminal defense, and juvenile rights representation in family court.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Carla Palumbo
President & CEO
Twyla Carter
Attorney-in-Chief & Chief Executive Officer
Recent News
2025-06-13
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