Director of Special Litigation

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

2d • $165,000 - $171,000

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice Special Litigation Unit is seeking a highly experienced civil litigator and organizational leader to manage a team of legal professionals focused on developing creative and innovative legal advocacy and systemic law reform strategies across a range of criminal justice matters. The Special Litigation Unit of The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice (SLU) engages in civil litigation and policy advocacy to address systemic injustices affecting the Legal Aid Society’s criminal defense clients and their families. Examples of past work include federal litigation challenging the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk practices, state litigation compelling arraignments within 24 hours, and, more recently, federal litigation challenging the state’s failure to provide timely and adequate competency restoration services to people found unfit to stand trial, and federal litigation challenging DHS’ practice of conducting suspicionless stops of New Yorkers based solely on their perceived race and ethnicity and conducting warrantless immigration arrests without probable cause. SLU’s impact litigation docket can be found here [https://legalaidnyc.org/impact-litigation-docket/?parent=criminal-law-reform&child=special-litigation]. SLU sits within the Law Reform Team of the Criminal Defense Practice, alongside Legal Aid’s Prisoner Rights Project, Community Justice Unit, Policy Team and other specialized projects. The Director of Special Litigation will work closely with and report to the Attorney-in-Charge of Criminal Law Reform. The Director of Special Litigation will direct and implement SLU’s litigation strategy across a range of issues, including but not limited to combatting racial discrimination in the criminal legal system, ending mass incarceration, and challenging abusive policing practices. The Director will supervise, lead and inspire the work of other attorneys, paralegals and other staff working in SLU; initiate new litigation strategies and act as lead counsel in complex litigation; collaborate with public defenders and specialized attorneys across Legal Aid to identify and address systemic legal issues affecting our clients; support policy advocacy through expert analysis and coalition building; and act as a representative of the Legal Aid Society in coalitions, with external stakeholders, and in the media.

Requirements

• Admission to New York State bar
• Minimum of 7 years legal experience, including at least 5 years of experience with complex strategic litigation in state and federal courts implicating constitutional, civil rights, or civil liberties issues
• Experience working in or with a nonprofit organization with a focus on improving the lives of low-income people and a demonstrable dedication to racial equity
• Experience working to address issues impacting the criminal legal system
• Expertise in the rules of civil procedure and the dynamics of complex civil litigation
• Excellent legal research and analysis skills
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills
• Experience with line management of staff and/or organizational leadership
• Demonstrated commitment to mentorship and supporting the professional development of others
• Excellent collaboration skills, including and ability to foster constructive, respectful working relationships with colleagues and coalition partners and an understanding of the importance of attention to principles of diversity and inclusion in collaborative relationships
• Commitment to Legal Aid’s mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers
• Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect
• Commitment to Legal Aid’s mission and values

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrable experience in New York courts strongly preferred
• Experience in policy development and legislative advocacy is preferred but not required

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive, compassionate line management to staff attorneys, paralegals and other staff within the Special Litigation Unit
• Working closely with the Attorney-in-Charge, direct and implement the strategy of the Special Litigation Unit, oversee systems to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Unit, and provide leadership within the team
• Identify opportunities for new litigation strategies
• Initiate and lead complex civil litigation in state and federal court
• Direct research and advocacy to support policy reform at the city and state levels, working closely with the Director of Policy
• Represent the Legal Aid Society in coalitions and develop and maintain relationships with coalition and other external partners
• Manage the Special Litigation Unit’s relationships across the various practice areas within the Legal Aid Society
• Other duties as assigned
• 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
• Identify, delegate, and document work responsibilities, roles, and procedures to meet the mission of the department
• Identify and implement department/unit management and accountability practices to improve performance
• Resolve employee conflict, complaints, and address union concerns, with guidance from Human Resources
• Lead organizational and culture change for the unit

Benefits

• health insurance
• paid vacation
• disability
• life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs
• assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed