Description

The New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) is seeking an experienced attorney for a part-time or full-time Staff Attorney position with the Veterans Defense Program (VDP). The position is open to candidates who can work part time or full time. The VDP’s mission is to provide training, support, and legal assistance to promote trauma-informed, client-centered representation of veterans and service members involved in New York State’s criminal and family court systems. The values of the VDP are that every justice involved veteran receives legal representation from an attorney who understands their military experience and culture, the effects of such experiences and culture, and who can present this information to the court in support of therapeutic outcomes. The program’s primary work is to comprehensively assist defense attorneys in defending veterans facing criminal charges and/or negative repercussions in family court. As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must align with the core values of the VDP and be driven by the mission of the VDP.

NYSDA, a not-for-profit, membership organization, has been providing support to New York's public defense community since 1967. NYSDA’s mission is to improve the quality and scope of publicly supported legal representation to people who cannot afford counsel. NYSDA operates the state’s Public Defense Backup Center, which provides legal support services, training programs, its Public Defense Case Management System, and other services to public defense offices and assigned counsel attorneys throughout the state. NYSDA offers high quality training to public defense attorneys, investigators, social workers, and other members of the public defense team. The Veterans Defense Program is instrumental in assisting defenders around the state to advance quality representation in veterans’ criminal and family court cases. The VDP team includes attorneys, veteran case managers, and a program coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance to defense teams whose veteran clients are facing criminal prosecution and negative repercussions in family court
• Assist attorneys in preventing incarceration or mitigating sentences of veteran clients suffering the invisible wounds of war such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including through the preparation of mitigation memoranda and reports and assisting, training, and consulting with defense attorneys, particularly those involved in public defense
• Work strategically to enhance public defender capacity, including through training and education about military culture and mindset
  Facilitate justice system diversion for affected veterans
• Work collaboratively with the VDP team, including providing referrals to other veteran supports

The VDP’s main office is in Batavia, New York. Applicants must be able to work in Batavia or work remotely in New York State and attend in-person meetings in Batavia as requested. The position involves occasional travel throughout the state, including to training events, courts, and jails and some evening and weekend hours.

Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 (full time; salary would be pro-rated for part time), depending on experience.

The position is eligible for NYSDA’s generous benefit package, including paid vacation, personal, sick, and parental leave; health, dental, and vision insurance coverage; flexible spending account; and 403(b) with an employer contribution after one year.

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Admitted to practice law in New York
• Substantial experience with direct criminal defense and/or public defense representation
• Experience with family defense representation and/or working within interdisciplinary teams
• Substantial experience with military and veteran issues, including knowledge regarding the latest developments in PTSD, TBI, and other combat-related stressors
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to engage in collaborative decision-making
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to seeking a reduction in the prosecution, conviction, and incarceration of veterans
• Excellent legal research and writing, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Sentencing mitigation experience
• Ability to travel around New York State, including locations that do not have public transportation
• Spanish language proficiency

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample via the job board or by email to Veterans Defense Program Director Nancy Farrell, Esq. at nfarrell@nysda.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

NYSDA is an equal opportunity employer. NYSDA values diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages candidates of all identities, orientations, experiences, and communities to apply.