Attorney-Misdemeanor Defense Program

About the Organization

Hiscock Legal Aid (HLA), founded in 1949, is a non-profit agency located in Syracuse, New York. Committed to promoting equal justice under the law, HLA is a primary provider of legal services for low-income individuals in Central New York. Learn more about our mission at www.hlalaw.org.

About the Role

Hiscock Legal Aid (HLA) seeks an experienced attorney, recently admitted lawyer, or a law graduate awaiting admission to join our newly created Misdemeanor Defense Program. This program, launched thanks to a contract from Onondaga County, provides comprehensive representation from arraignment through final disposition to individuals charged with misdemeanors and violations in Syracuse City Court, including traffic court and problem-solving courts. Attorneys work collaboratively under the guidance and direction of the Managing Attorney and Supervising Attorney to provide high-quality criminal defense representation and are supported by a strong team of four law assistants, a social worker, and an investigator.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients at arraignments, pretrial hearings, negotiations, motions, trials, and sentencings
• Conduct client interviews and legal research
• Engage in motion practice and trial advocacy
• Work collaboratively with investigators, social workers, and support staff
• Maintain thorough case documentation using LegalServer, our case management system
• Uphold HLA’s commitment to client-centered, trauma-informed representation

Pay

Base salary of $81,000 to $105,000 annually for all attorneys admitted to the New York Bar, depending on candidate qualifications and experience. Lawyers in the Misdemeanor Defense Program receive an additional $5,000 annual stipend. Law graduates awaiting admission to the Bar and eligible for a practice order start at $71,000 annually and receive a $10,000 salary increase upon admission.

Benefits

• Generous paid vacation, sick, and personal leave totaling more than 30 days per year
• Minimum of 14 paid holidays per year
• Health, dental, life, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Reduced membership to the YMCA of CNY
• $100 monthly parking/transportation stipend
• Reimbursement for bi-annual attorney registration and other professional fees
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Schedule

Standard office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. From Memorial Day until Labor Day, staff can frequently take advantage of summer hours and leave at 4:00 pm. Attorneys may occasionally need to work outside these hours to fulfill professional obligations.

In a typical week, attorneys must be in the office the equivalent of 3 full days and can work from home up to the equivalent of two full days if professional obligations allow.