Staff Attorney, Digital Forensics Unit

MAJOR PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Criminal Practice of The Legal Aid Society has an opening for a Staff Attorney in its Digital Forensics Unit. Founded in 2013, The Legal Aid Society’s Digital Forensics Unit uses technology to advocate for our clients in the courtroom, and fight against government surveillance and the erosion of digital privacy rights. The DFU was created in recognition that, as the largest public defender in New York City, The Legal Aid Society needed an internal unit that would be able to acquire, process, and analyze the vast amount of digital evidence that exists in the modern world. The Unit currently consists of two Analysts, two Senior Analysts, seven Staff Attorneys, one Paralegal II, and one Director.

 

Digital Forensic Staff Attorneys must have an understanding of the processes of how digital forensic evidence is retrieved, handled, analyzed, and preserved. Staff Attorneys for the Digital Forensics Unit are the Society’s in-house experts in digital forensic and electronic surveillance matters, and they will work closely with the Analysts on the Unit’s casework. They provide support for Criminal Practice attorneys and other defense attorneys. Staff Attorneys maintain a caseload limited to matters where digital forensic and/or electronic surveillance evidence is involved and provide support, including expert assistance and second-seating, for digital forensic and electronic surveillance cases handled by other Society attorneys.

 

This citywide unit also develops, implements, and coordinates Society policy and litigation strategy concerning digital forensic and electronic surveillance matters, as well as present CLEs and trainings on related issues

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Represent clients in criminal proceedings involving digital forensic and electronic surveillance evidence
• Write motions, subpoenas, and other litigation materials
• Create digital forensics and electronic surveillance related guides, practice advisories, and motion templates
• Develop litigation strategies involving digital forensic and electronic surveillance issues, including but not limited to, facial recognition, ShotSpotter, automated license plate readers, and device tracking
• Provide support and assistance for other Society attorneys handling digital forensic and electronic surveillance cases
• Provide in-house and external training on digital forensic and electronic surveillance issues
• Provide back-up support for other defense attorneys in New York City
• Stay informed of changes to digital forensics and electronic surveillance technologies, and how they affect legal arguments and our work
• Advocate for or against policies related to digital forensic and electronic surveillance matters, as needed
• Act as a spokesperson for The Legal Aid Society on issues within areas of expertise, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• New York State Bar admission (or ability to waive into New York State from another jurisdiction)
• Three (3) years or more of experience litigating criminal defense, juvenile rights, and/or civil rights matters with some experience handling felony matters in New York State or in other jurisdictions
• Excellent oral advocacy and research and writing skills
• Excellent hearing and trial skills
• Excellent ability to provide training and support assistance for the Criminal Defense Practice and, as needed, Society-wide
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively as part of a citywide team

 

Preferred qualifications:  

• Experience working on digital forensic and/or electronic surveillance matters
• Substantial background in the retrieval, handling, analysis, and preservation of digital forensic evidence or the demonstrated aptitude and willingness to acquire such knowledge and to maintain expertise
• Experience in and/or a commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people is preferred
• Proficiency in a language other than English is desirable, but not required

 

 

SALARY AND BE