Appellate Resource Attorney, Rotator (Brooklyn & Manhattan)

The Legal Aid Society•New York, NY

2d•$84,000 - $152,500

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society, the nation's oldest and largest social justice legal services organization, has openings for Appellate Resource Attorneys in its Brooklyn and Manhattan Criminal Defense Trial Offices. The Appellate Resource Attorney will provide essential support to Trial Office members on trial, appellate and post-conviction issues. The Resource Attorney will also contribute to the Criminal Defense Resources SharePoint Database – the largest public defender resource site in the nation – by editing existing practice memoranda and litigation treatises, and by developing new advisories and treatises on major litigation issues. The position will be a two-year rotation, after which the attorney may re-apply or return to their current position.

Requirements

Admission to New York State bar
7 years of litigation experience as of March 2026, including at least 5 years of post-conviction experience
Comprehensive knowledge of relevant New York State and federal law including evidence laws, criminal and constitutional laws, statutory interpretation, and ethical principles contained in the Rules of Professional Conduct
Up-to-date Knowledge of Supreme Court precedent and willingness to assist attorneys in drafting arguments using this precedent

Nice To Haves

Desire to write and edit practice advisories and legal treatises
Desire to brainstorm new legal arguments in consultation with the Training Unit and other relevant specialized units
Excellent research, writing, brief-writing, and oral advocacy skills
Some teaching and/or mentoring experience
Ability to challenge others to seek innovative and creative approaches to advocacy
Capacity to work with computer, electronic data and file sharing software, e-discovery platforms and processes, Adobe Pro, and Microsoft Suite
Ability to work collaboratively with the Training Unit, and other relevant specialized Units, regarding litigation strategies

Responsibilities

Provide advice and support to Trial Attorneys
Collaborate with other resource attorneys and training managers on drafting practice advisories, treatises and memoranda and updating current advisories and memos
Work with other members of the Training Unit to strategize best practices and long-term litigation strategies
Prepare drafts of template motions
Write amicus briefs in select cases
Develop local and citywide trainings on legal issues, including preservation issues
Draft substantive pre-trial motions and memoranda of law, including motions in limine and requests to charge
Provide guidance on complex litigation issues and consult with attorneys on their cases
Participate in pre-trial hearings and trials, especially where novel issues are litigated
Facilitate the commencement of the appellate process when needed.
Must stay up to date on new developments in criminal law, both in terms of new statutory revisions and evolving case law
Other duties as assigned