Employment Opportunities at ILS

The mission of Indigent Legal Services (ILS) is to improve the representation provided to people facing criminal charges or Family Court proceedings who cannot afford counsel. Our agency’s work is transforming criminal defense and parental representation, while helping people in crisis achieve greater justice in criminal cases and maintain family integrity. Join us to help shape policy and practice statewide and to have a profound impact on justice statewide. Become part of a team of dedicated professionals who share your commitment to a more fair and just society.

Current Openings

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Assistant Appellate Attorney

The New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services (ILS) seeks to hire an Assistant Appellate Attorney to be a part of the Statewide Appellate Support Center team at ILS in Albany, New York. The Assistant Appellate Attorney will be a self-starter who works well under supervision and strives to advance the work of the Center and to expand their knowledge and skills. This position reports directly to a Senior Appellate Attorney and will support the efforts of three midlevel Appellate Attorneys. Activities will include statewide initiatives to improve the quality of mandated representation; individual consultation services to attorneys providing mandated representation; and creation of resources and trainings.

Specific responsibilities for this position include working with the Center’s attorneys and team members to:

• Do legal research and analysis and write legal memoranda in trial, appellate, and post-conviction cases.
•Perform tasks to assist defense counsel or provide information and resources to pro se persons with DVSJA applications and other post-conviction litigation.
• Help collect templates for brief and motion banks.
• Help make arrangements and prepare materials for meetings for various Councils, Task Forces, and other groups; take notes at meetings; and do follow-up tasks.
• Help organize various training programs and prepare Power Point presentations and training materials.
• Consult with individual attorneys and defense team members in conjunction with other Center staff.
• Create legal resources, including templates, model motions, statements of law, and know your rights documents.
• Respond to letters from incarcerated persons seeking legal information; and offer information to support them in preparing motions to extend the time for taking an appeal.
• Work with the Center’s paralegal to maintain Excel spreadsheets on various activities and prepare monthly reports.
• Under the supervision of the direct supervisor, coordinate communications with other ILS units.
• Assist with administrative duties as needed. Qualifications: Admission to, or willingness to seek admission to, the New York State Bar; and two years of experience in the practice of criminal and/or family law subsequent to admission to the Bar. The ideal candidate will have a commitment to improving mandated representation statewide and a collegial and collaborative approach to team projects. Experience in appellate representation in criminal and/or Family Court matters is also desirable.

Salary Range: $88,283 to $96,000

Application Deadline and Instructions: Applications are due by April 5, 2024. Please review the full vacancy announcement application instructions here: https://statejobs.ny.gov/public/vacancyDetailsView.cfm?id=153099

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