Director of Special Litigation

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. 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.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Supervision and Litigation Development

• 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

 

Implement SLU’s Advocacy and Policy Priorities

• 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

 

Support SLU’s Internal Relationships and Other Duties as Assigned

• Manage the Special Litigation Unit’s relationships across the various practice areas within the Legal Aid Society
• Other duties as assigned

Team Development and Supervision

• 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 responsibiliti