Founded in 1996 as Queens Law Associates, Queens Defenders (QD) is a public defender organization in Queens, New York serving the most ethnically diverse county in the United States.

QD provides defense to people in the criminal, family and immigration systems and believes that all individuals have the constitutional right to legal representation if they are charged with a crime and cannot afford an attorney.

In addition to legal defense, Queens Defenders also provides immigration and social work services in order to improve the well-being of our clients and their families.

Job Description

QD is seeking a Full-time experienced attorney to join the as a Staff Attorney in the Youth Justice Practice.

The Youth Justice Practice provides legal representation to clients involved in juvenile delinquency matters in accordance with the Raise the Age Law, youths who are processed through family court and PINS (Persons-in-Need-of-Supervision). Most cases processed by this department are felony cases.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

· Interviewing clients, client witnesses, review paperwork and related evidence.

· Preliminary assessment of charges and quality of the case against a client.

· Handling arraignments, including motions for reasonable bail or release without bail.

· Scheduling follow-up court appearances.

· Prepare demands for discovery and requests for bills of particulars.

· Consult where warranted with social workers and private investigators and subpoena necessary items of evidence.

· Interview, where permissible, the prosecution’s witnesses and police.

· Preparation of motions for factual and legal sufficiency.

· Preparing motions to suppress evidence on constitutional, factual and legal grounds.

· Conducting trials in courts of law, where appropriate and necessary.

· Directing paralegals and other support staff for assistance in obtaining and reviewing discovery material, legal research and maintaining witness contact, as required.

· Assisting attorneys of lesser experience in the performance of their professional obligations as set forth above.

Qualifications/Skills:

· Admission to the New York State Bar

· Criminal defense: Felony Certified (Required)

· Prior Family Court Juvenile Delinquency experience preferred

· Excellent communications and interpersonal skills

· Working knowledge of criminal and juvenile delinquency laws and best practices in the field.

· Credible and discrete, with a high level of integrity and the ability to work with highly confidential and as privileged information.

· Ability to work independently well as collaboratively.

Willingness to participate in our Youth Program and community outreach activities.

Benefits:

· Health/Dental/Vision

· 401(k)

· Generous Paid time off

· Parental Leave

· Disability insurance

· FSA and HSA

· Life insurance

QD is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a culturally diverse staff and fostering an inclusive working environment. We seek to hire staff that reflect the full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic identities of the communities we represent so that we better serve our clients, understand their diverse circumstances, and meet their needs. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $78,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Vision insurance

Schedule:

8 hour shift
Day shift
Night shift
Weekend availability

Experience:

Felony: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

Bar (Required)

Work Location: Multiple locations

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Criminal Defense- Juvenile Justice Staff Attorney