Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks a Supervising Attorney to join the Criminal Defense Practice’s Adolescent Representation Unit.

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our work with clients is focused on the intersection of the legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown people living below the poverty level in Brooklyn.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers, and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including housing, public benefits, education, and employment issues.

The Adolescent Team consists of an interdisciplinary team of attorneys and social workers who collaborate to represent young people up to age 18 who are arrested. The Unit represents adolescents 12-17 in both Supreme and Family Court. Team members represent young people who are arrested as follows:

• Clients ages 14-17 charged as adults in Supreme Court

• Clients ages 12-17 charged with misdemeanor and/or felony charges in Delinquency Proceedings and PINS petitions in Family Court

• Clients whose cases are Removed to Family Court from Supreme Court

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the other supervisors within the team and the criminal defense practice to help attorneys reach their potential and ensure the best possible outcomes for clients. This includes utilizing the expertise of team members, other supervisors, and specialized attorneys on the Adolescent and other teams to create a collaborative environment of growth and learning for all attorneys.

• Proactively seek to create an equitable and inclusive work environment.

• Regularly meet with supervisees for individual case supervision and review cases, identify issues, advise, and assist attorneys in providing the best possible representation from the inception of cases to resolution, including hearings and trials.

• Review supervisees’ written motions and other written work product and offer edits and feedback.

• Attend trials, hearings and other court appearances to provide substantive assistance as well as guidance and support.

• Teach and coach attorneys to help them grow their knowledge, skills, and further their professional development.

• Assist attorneys in communicating with the Court, ACCs, DAs, or others when complex or problematic situations arise, including directly intervening when necessary.

• Evaluate attorney performance both formally and informally and regularly provide appropriate feedback.

• Assist attorneys in working effectively with social workers, investigators, paralegals, support staff, and other practice areas.

• Ensure attorneys are fulfilling their case management responsibilities and assist attorneys in navigating changing technology.

• Assist with practice management including ensuring case coverage and helping with other administrative tasks.

• Know and apply BDS policies and procedures, including personnel and office policies.

• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• At least five years of experience in either criminal defense or family court juvenile delinquency practice.

• Demonstrated commitment to client-centered representation.

• Ability and desire to train, teach, and help other attorneys reach their full potential as an effective advocate for their clients and to promote their professional development.

• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with interdisciplinary staff members both within the adolescent representation unit and throughout BDS as a whole.

• Excellent problem-solving skills.

• Adept at navigating case and document management systems.

• A strong desire to become part of a management team to provide the best possible representation for our clients and to enhance the adolescent representation unit as a whole.

Position Information 

This is an exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at BDS’s offices, and the courts located in Downtown Brooklyn. Most BDS staff are required to be in the office three days per week and are able to work from home on other days. However, this position requires that the Supervising Attorney be available in person to assist their team members and provide coverage as needed. This may require additional days in the office.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position, there is a base salary range of $112,402-137,320 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions    

 Click “Apply Now” to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal by September 20, 2024.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director, H.R., Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org.