Overview
The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks passionate law graduates and entry-level attorneys with a commitment to public defense to join our Family Defense, Criminal Defense, Immigration Defense and Civil Action Practices beginning Fall 2024.
The Bronx Defenders is a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system, and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. BxD seeks thoughtful, creative, energetic individuals with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our staff of over 450 includes interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, benefits specialists, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, we have developed a groundbreaking, nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense that achieves better outcomes for the people we represent.
Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, family regulation, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. Through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing, we push for systemic change at the local, state, and national levels. We take what we learn from the people we represent and communities we work with and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change.
Training Team
Training Team attorneys receive several weeks of intensive, interdisciplinary training on holistic representation, relevant case law, research and writing, litigation skills, client and community engagement, and analysis of oppressive systems and their impact on the marginalized communities we work with. Outside of this training period, staff regularly participate in both practice and non-practice-specific trainings to sharpen their advocacy skills, raise their cultural consciousness, and enhance their collaboration with colleagues and the people we represent. Within our Training Team, we will be hiring for attorneys in the Criminal Defense, Family Defense, Immigration and Civil Action Practices. More information regarding the specific practice areas can be found below.
Responsibilities
For All Attorneys
- Engage in intensive interviewing, counseling, research, writing, oral advocacy, and negotiations as part of legal representation
- Provide comprehensive, team-based representation collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of attorneys and advocates to avoid or mitigate further legal system involvement and civil consequences that may arise out of contact with the court system
- Effectively litigate, confidently negotiate and skillfully advocate with adversaries within the carceral systems the people we represent navigate
- Co-counsel cases in venues outside of your main practice area, whether that be Criminal, Family, Immigration and/or Civil Court
- Help identify systemic problems that affect the people we represent while thinking creatively about new strategies and solutions for strategic change
- Enter and maintain accurate client data, files, and notes regarding advocacy and representation in our case management system
Criminal Defense Practice
The Criminal Defense Practice (CDP) at The Bronx Defenders consists of over 150 attorneys, investigators, social workers, practice associates, and administrators who provide comprehensive criminal defense representation to people in the Bronx facing police and criminal legal system involvement. Through a client-centered approach, our CDP legal teams strive to gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances and priorities of the people we represent. Armed with that understanding, they fight for desired outcomes by strategically raising personalized, persuasive arguments in mitigation, negotiations, and litigation.
Responsibilities (CDP Specific)
- Zealously advocate for individuals charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses in Bronx Criminal Court from the time of arraignment through disposition or trial, as well as concurrent proceedings such as Department of Motor Vehicle refusal hearings
Family Defense Practice
The Bronx Defenders’ Family Defense Practice (FDP) provides legal representation and social work support to parents charged with child abuse and neglect who are at risk of losing custody of their children. Our Family Defense Practice is at the forefront of a movement to provide holistic representation to parents in the Bronx while creating long-term solutions for the reunification and stability of families. Family Defense Practice Attorneys primarily litigate abuse and neglect cases, but occasionally appear in concurrent matters including custody, visitation, and termination of parental rights.
Responsibilities (FDP Specific)
- Zealously represent parents in child protective proceedings in Bronx Family Court and any concurrent matters including custody, visitation, and termination of parental rights cases
- Litigate legal matters in abuse and neglect proceedings in hearings and trials in family court both orally and in writing
- Assist parents in accessing appropriate resources and services to restore full parental rights
- Collaborate with social workers and parent advocates to support parents throughout the pendency of their cases
- Effectively communicate and negotiate with judges, caseworkers, child attorneys, and representatives of the Administration for Children’s Services on behalf of parents
Immigration Practice
Twenty years ago, The Bronx Defenders developed the model of integrated criminal defense and immigration representation. Our Immigration attorneys and advocates work closely with people ensnared in the immigration legal system throughout the pendency of their cases in both Criminal and Family Court to avoid and mitigate negative immigration consequences that may arise from those cases. Our Immigration staff represent people in deportation proceedings in both detained and non-detained settings, provide affirmative immigration services, and pursue community-based litigation and advocacy aimed at transforming unforgiving anti-immigrant federal laws and policy. The Immigration Practice consists of approximately 60 staff members including attorneys, social workers, legal advocates, and administrators.
Since 2013, our immigration attorneys have also worked as assigned counsel at the Varick Street Immigration Court under the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP), the first-ever universal representation project in immigration court.
Responsibilities (Immigration Specific)
- Advise non-citizens accused of crimes on the immigration consequences of contemplated dispositions and mitigate the impact of their involvement with the legal system
- Represent non-citizens on applications for immigration benefits, including citizenship, adjustment of status, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and remedies for victims of crimes
- Represent both detained and non-detained non-citizens who face deportation in official removal proceedings
- Represent clients before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Immigration Court on the full scope of matters relating to removal cases, such as bond hearings, challenges to removability, applications for relief (including, but not limited to requests for Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Deferral of Removal under the Convention Against Torture Protection, Adjustment of Status with Waivers of Inadmissibility, Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) and Non-LPR Cancellation of Removal, Special Immigration Juvenile Status, and U & T visas)
- Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals
Additional qualifications specific to the Immigration Practice:
- A valid driver’s license-or the ability to obtain one-is required as the role sometimes requires travel to detention facilities outside of NYC where clients are held. Vehicles are provided.
- We are specifically seeking applications from candidates with Spanish language skills and/or those from racially and ethnically marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by the immigration system, whose lived experiences contribute to more culturally conscious client representation
Civil Action Practice (CAP)
The Civil Action Practice (CAP) provides comprehensive legal services to the people we represent and their families by fully integrating civil representation with our criminal, immigration, and family defense practices. Our goal is to minimize the severe and often unforeseen fallout from legal system involvement and facilitate the seamless reintegration of the people we represent into their communities.
Our Civil Action Practice attorneys and legal advocates represent clients in every forum in New York City – administrative, state, and federal – to address these problems, and provide comprehensive representation to assist people in overcoming civil legal barriers to housing, eviction, employment, and public benefits, as well as addressing instances of police misconduct, criminal record errors, and civil forfeiture.
Responsibilities (CAP Specific)
- Advise, support and defend individuals navigating housing court and other housing-related proceedings
- Defend individuals navigating proceedings related to eviction, termination and barriers to obtaining housing
- Staff Housing Court intake to provide representation to tenants in Housing Court
- Advise and represent intake clients with housing related issues
- Collaborate with immigration, criminal and family defense attorneys, advocates and social workers to assess and address client and community member housing needs
- Represent individuals in negotiations, administrative and judicial proceedings and trials
- Staff Community Housing Helpline
- Participate in community training and public education
Qualifications
To be eligible, candidates must be:
- Third-year (3L) students or recent graduates of an American Bar Association-accredited law school, or
- An attorney having less than three years of relevant legal practice
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Commitment to directly defending people ensnared in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal systems
- Commitment to challenging systemic injustice and carceral systems
- Experience working in and with racially and ethnically marginalized communities of color targeted by systemic injustice
- Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people from various backgrounds and experiences
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers
- Commitment to fierce advocacy and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of the people we represent
- Effective research, writing, and courtroom advocacy skills
- Strong legal analytical skills and capacity to employ non-legal resources to support the people we represent
- Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced setting, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles
- Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection, and shift behavior accordingly
- Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality around sensitive issues
- Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level
Additional Qualifications Specific to the Immigration Practice:
- A valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one, as the role sometimes requires travel to detention facilities outside of New York City (vehicles are provided)
- We are specifically seeking applications from candidates with Spanish language skills and/or those from racially and ethnically marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by the immigration system whose lived experiences contribute to more culturally conscious representation
If hired, applicants must:
- Sit for the New York State Bar Examination, or
- Submit the appropriate materials necessary for Pro Hac Vice admission or waiver
This is a hybrid position that will require both in-person and remote work.
Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 0-3 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $74,322 – $76,975. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided when and if an offer is extended.
Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders’ staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 – Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit.
This position is exempt. By law, non-exempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.
To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and a cover letter in one document when prompted. *Please include the Practice(s) you are applying to in the first line of your cover letter* If you would prefer to send in a video or audio statement in lieu of a cover letter, you may upload your resume as a document and separately upload a video or audio statement instead of a cover letter. Your cover letter or video/audio statement should share why you want to do this work at our office, some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position, and any additional information you would like for us to consider. Your cover letter may be up to one page if written or up to 3 minutes if an audio/video statement. This information allows us to understand your distinct perspective, experience and potential beyond the work history summarized on your resume. Please remember that you may submit a written cover letter or an audio/video statement, but not both, and applications without either will not be considered. Applications missing any components or not submitted in the requested manner will not be considered. The start date for this position is Fall 2024.
The application deadline is October 1st, 2023, but applications will be considered on a rolling basis.Interviews will be held from May to October. However, offers will be made until all positions are filled. Please contact Thanisha Pariage, Recruiting and Hiring Director, via email at thanishap@bronxdefenders.org with any questions regarding the position.
The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent, and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we work with.