Criminal Defense Unit

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. is seeking a Managing Attorney in our Criminal Defense Unit (CDU). Under the direction of the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Deputy Executive Director– Criminal Practice (DED-CP), CDU Chief Attorney, and CDU Legal Director, the Managing Attorney performs a variety of direct defense, administrative, and supervisory activities in the area of criminal law; predominantly the defense of indigent persons in Buffalo City Court, Erie County and Supreme Court, and any other Court where the CDU practices, or may in the future practice.

The Managing Attorney is responsible for supervising every aspect of the defense of indigent persons; including direct representation and supervision of staff attorneys in their discharge of criminal defense and associated activities. This position further provides direct assistance to the Chief Attorney in their role as head of the Unit, acting in a support role and undertaking the activities of the Chief Attorney when called upon. Additional activities include advocacy on behalf of the Bureau and its clientele; participation in recruitment and retention activities; training of new attorney and non-attorney staff; active participation in DEI efforts; and other tasks as assigned by the Legal Director, Chief Attorney, DED-CP, or the CEO of the Bureau.

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo seeks to provide access to justice and due process to the most vulnerable individuals, children and families in the Western New York Community through quality, client-centered and holistic legal representation. 

Why Join Us?

• Competitive Pay: Earn a salary ranging from $132,000 to $157,800, commensurate with your experience.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package:
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
  • Generous vacation, personal, and sick time.
  • Paid parenthood leave plan
  • 401(k) retirement plan.
  • Long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, supplemental term life insurance, and other voluntary insurance offerings
  • Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, and a flexible spending account.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness: Eligible for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.

Key Responsibilities:

The Bureau’s CDU requires that all Managing Attorneys engage in the following essential duties/responsibilities in a way that supports their assigned attorneys and fulfills the expectations of legal services of the Unit:

• Provide high-quality, zealous direct representation in approximately ten percent (10%) of an average CDU attorney caseload, which includes, but is not limited to acting as second-chair, providing support and/or direct representation in Superior Court bail motions, hearings, trials and/or arraignments, when required.
• Engage in the training, mentoring, and coaching of interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, legal assistants, investigators and/or law students. This includes providing timely performance feedback.
• Work closely with the CDU’s Holistic Representation Program (HRP) and Regional Immigration Assistance Center (RIAC) in coordinating quality, holistic representation of criminal defense clients.
• Engage in regular observation of court hearings and trials and provide feedback on observations, when necessary.
• Conduct regular, periodic evaluations of supervised attorneys by engaging in bi-monthly case conferencing and file reviews and by conducting regularly scheduled evaluations, as required by the Bureau to ensure adherence to ILS, NYSBA and other Bureau adopted standards for providing quality mandated representation by each supervised attorney.
• Demonstrate proficiency of the Bureau’s technology, including, but not limited to Legal Server/Laserfiche and provide data and/or document reports, when required.
• Work closely with CDU, HRP and RIAC management in ensuring quality criminal defense representation of the Bureau’s clients, which includes, but is not limited to, providing regular monthly reports to the CDU management team; assisting in developing and/or implementing Unit and Bureau training; and supporting Unit and Bureau initiatives, when required.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive training curricula for supervised attorneys.
• Document all significant staff performance events and conversations about those events. Keep Human Resources and the Unit management informed of staff performance concerns and employee relations issues.
• Engage in regular monitoring and review of time-keeping practices of supervised attorneys, as required by the Bureau.
• Promote a culture of inclusivity and belonging in the workplace and help promote a strong commitment to team building and a positive and inclusive organizational culture that consists of a collaborative working environment and respectful conduct towards resolving obstacles and/or conflicts.

CDU Major Crimes Managing Attorney

In addition to the above duties required of all CDU Managing Attorneys, the Major Crimes Unit Managing Attorney is also responsible for:

• Direct supervision of attorneys handling violent felony matters.
• Assisting in collaborative efforts with APCU Chief Attorney and/or staff attorneys to provide litigation support as needed by that Unit.
• Meet regularly with and collaborate with the CDU Legal Director and CDU Chief Attorney on all issues related to felony practice and criminal trial/hearing litigation within the CDU.

Employment Standards: Active membership in the New York State Bar; and

1. Ten years of experience as an attorney in the practice of criminal defense, with a specialization in violent felony and homicide cases preferred; or
2. A combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the above employment standard and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
3. Managerial experience preferred.
4. Computer proficiency, including, but not limited to, word processing skills and computerized legal research.
5. Reliable transportation and license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State or demonstrated capacity to meet the transportation needs of the position.

Knowledge of:  statutory laws related to practicing criminal law in New York State, including the Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, Corrections Law, and Judiciary Law; trial and appellate court procedures; legal research methods; rules of evidence; standard legal office practice and procedures; and ethical and professional rules of conduct.

Ability to:  effectively supervise diverse personalities; perform all administrative responsibilities in monitoring cases; work independently; perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents in legal problems; present statements of law, facts and arguments clearly, logically and forcefully, both in written and oral format; maintain confidentiality and objectivity; manage a caseload; operate personal computer and computer applications used by the Units; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work; work with the Bureau’s management team in setting and supporting goals, practices, policies and other staff directives as a unified team and be able to implement Bureau directives despite any personal disagreement; and be able to interact well with the public.

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from minorities, females, disabled individuals, veterans, and individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

How to Apply: Please send your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and at least three (3) references to resume@labbuffalo.org or mail them to:

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
Attention: Human Resources
290 Main Street, Suite 400
Buffalo, NY 14202

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.