Supervising Attorney, Prisoners’ Rights Project (PRP)

About the role

The Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Practice seeks an experienced, committed, and talented lawyer to join a team of skilled advocates as a Supervising Attorney in the Prisoners' Rights Project (PRP). The PRP works to protect the legal rights of people incarcerated in New York City jails and New York State prisons through impact litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, and policy change.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an active caseload of pending and new litigation to advance PRP's goals
• Together with other supervising attorneys, oversee integration of individual client intake and advocacy into policy and litigation
• Substantively direct legislative and administratively policy initiatives, frequently in close collaboration with other units of Legal Aid and external stakeholders
• Engage directly in all aspects of litigation and collaborate with other attorneys in setting litigation strategy and priorities and managing cases
• Collaborate with pro bono counsel and colleagues in other parts of Legal Aid; community groups; legislators, and other stakeholders
• Conduct and participate in community education, training, media, and outreach to educate the public as well as other legal professionals and to promote the work of PRP
• Team Development and Supervision
• Aid the Director of PRP in the daily operations and direct supervision of the legal work of the unit
• Schedule employee hours, assign work, approve time off and remote work schedule requests following the guidance of LAS policy and procedures
• Attend management meetings, participate in management trainings, and utilize current employment policies, practices and guidance as provided by management and Human Resources
• Conduct management and supervision practices that affirmatively support equity and inclusion in the workplace
• Supervise direct reports in setting performance standards, provide routine feedback as well as coaching/counseling, and issue disciplinary action as needed
• Identify and provide training and development opportunities and ensure mandatory trainings are completed

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York bar, or eligibility to waive into New York bar
• Minimum 8 years of litigation experience, with a strong preference for experience in civil rights, prisoners’ rights litigation, New York correctional agencies, or law reform litigation (applicants with more experience are encouraged to apply)
• Demonstrated strong commitment to racial equity and civil rights
• Demonstrated ability to engage in and communicate complex legal analysis
• Excellent writing, litigation and advocacy skills
• Collegiality and ability to work in and value diverse teams
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills