Staff Attorney, DNA Unit

The Legal Aid Society•New York, NY

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Criminal Defense Practice of The Legal Aid Society has openings for a Staff Attorney in its DNA Forensics Unit, with positions available in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens Trial Offices. Established in 2013, the DNA Unit functions as the Society's internal expert resource for forensic science matters, encompassing DNA, fingerprint, ballistics, firearm, and toolmark analysis. Staff Attorneys within this unit are responsible for providing citywide training, support, and resources to other attorneys whose clients are involved with forensic evidence. They manage caseloads specifically related to DNA evidence and other forensic feature comparison methods, offering expert assistance and second-seating cases handled by other Society attorneys. All members of this citywide unit collaborate to develop, implement, and coordinate the Society's policy and litigation strategy concerning forensic science matters.

Requirements

Admission to New York State Bar
Minimum 5 years of relevant experience, including experience handling felony caseload, preferred

Nice To Haves

Science background preferred
Substantial background in forensics or the demonstrated aptitude and willingness to acquire such knowledge and to maintain expertise, particularly in such areas as forensic biology and statistics
Excellent and clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex issues into clear and concise principles
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; must be able to coordinate responsibilities with the 2nd DNA Forensics resource attorney in the borough
Excellent oral advocacy, research and writing skills
Excellent ability to train other staff
Excellent judgment
Ability and willingness to work collaboratively and respectfully within a citywide team

Responsibilities

Provide guidance and support to Society attorneys handling DNA and forensic feature comparison evidence, assist in drafting motions (e.g., oppositions to compel DNA, pretrial suppression, Frye motions), research controlling case law, develop litigation strategies, coordinate and participate in meetings with laboratories and defense experts, assist with trial preparation, and second-seat trials, where appropriate
Represent clients pertaining to matters where DNA evidence or other forensic feature comparison methods are involved
Provide in-house and external training on DNA analysis and other forensic feature comparisons.
Provide back-up support for other DNA Forensics Unit attorneys (citywide), as needed
Keep up with novel advanced DNA technologies and novel forensic feature comparison methodologies and techniques
Working substantially and collegially with others, including but not limited to Society attorneys, criminal legal system stakeholders (i.e., laboratories), and other defense organizations
Advocate for policy changes, as needed
Other duties as assigned