Staff Attorney

Position Description ABOUT US The Center for Appellate Litigation (CAL) is a leading legal services organization dedicated to providing high-quality post-conviction representation to low-income New Yorkers. We are committed to ensuring that every individual has access to fair and just legal representation in the appellate courts and in a full panoply of post-conviction litigation. Our team of dedicated attorneys, client advocates, and staff work tirelessly to advocate for our clients' rights and uphold the principles of justice. Position Overview CAL is seeking to hire a staff attorney to join the Conditions of Confinement Project. The attorney will join a team of advocates in the fight to defend and expand the rights of incarcerated New Yorkers. The attorney will be a member of the bargaining unit. CAL's Conditions of Confinement Project advocates on behalf of CAL's clients who are incarcerated in the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facilities, and local jails. Many of our clients face challenges related to their health, safety, and overall well-being. We work to address these challenges through advocacy related to access to medical and mental healthcare; protection from harassment and violence; preventing illegal and unjust solitary confinement; and obtaining basic necessities. The Staff Attorney Position Will Include The Following Responsibilities Managing a client caseload within the project and advocating on behalf of individual CAL clients to ameliorate threats to their safety and well-being stemming from their incarceration Serving as a primary point of contact for incarcerated clients and prospective clients through legal mail, legal calls, in-person visits, and community-based outreach Advocating for clients impacted by the criminal legal system by navigating and communicating with correctional institutions, government agencies, community organizations, client's family members, and other support networks Gathering, organizing, reviewing, and maintaining case-related records, including medical, correctional, court, and other relevant documents, while ensuring accurate and up-to-date case databases and tracking systems Assisting CAL with developing a civil litigation practice focused on prison and jail conditions, which will include advancing and enforcing existing conditions cases Identifying problems and challenges that people experience during incarceration and strategizing solutions Representing clients at DOCCS Tier III disciplinary hearings Conducting policy advocacy on issues affecting incarcerated persons, including commenting on proposed regulations and legislation, and presenting oral and written testimony Using discretion and sound judgment to help troubleshoot issues and resolve non-routine matters Conducting research and fact-gathering to support client advocacy, litigation, policy initiatives, and project development Utilizing databases, public records, and investigative tools to locate witnesses and obtain information relevant to client representation and advocacy Supporting the project's growth and sustainability through activities such as resource development, community outreach, liaising with correctional professionals at relevant educational events, fundraising support (particularly for the Client Support Fund), and relationship-building with external partners, including civil attorneys Report to supervising attorney on cases, legal strategies, scheduling, and other matters Collaborate with CAL's team of experienced attorneys, supervisors, social workers, client advocates, and pro bono counsel Receive both hands-on and formal training Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and objectives of the Conditions of Confinement Project LOCATION The position is based at CAL's New York City office. CAL has a hybrid remote office policy and staff attorneys are permitted to work remotely 8 to 14 days per month depending on their tenure at CAL. SALARY Salary will be commensurate with experience according to an established step system. The base salary is at least $91,941 for a 2024 graduate and up to $104,040 for a 2017 graduate with an additional $3,000 language differential for candidates who are fluent in Spanish or another second language commonly used in our practice. CAL offers comprehensive medical benefits, a retirement account, and generous vacation time, holidays, personal and sick days. comprehensive medical benefits a retirement account generous vacation time, holidays, personal and sick days #J-18808-Ljbffr