Administration Unit

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, holistic, client-centered legal representation and assistance.

We are seeking a Deputy Executive Director of the Criminal Practice (DED-CP) to assist the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with overall management and leadership of the Bureau.

The DED-CP is responsible for creating, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and modifying the programs and practices of the Criminal Defense Unit and Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit, maintaining overall success of the programs.

The Criminal Defense Unit (CDU) provides mandated representation to indigent individuals charged with certain crimes in the city of Buffalo. Our attorneys represent clients in Buffalo City Court, Erie County Court, Supreme Court and any other court where the Unit may be assigned cases.

The attorneys of the Criminal Defense Unit are dedicated to ensuring that each client assigned to the office receives the very best criminal defense representation possible.  We utilize a client-centered approach with the goal of achieving the best possible disposition, after a thorough investigation of the facts and an examination of the law as applied to those particular facts.

The Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit (APCU) is the primary appellate provider for indigent criminal appeals in Erie, Cattaraugus, Genesee, and Orleans Counties. We also assist clients on assignment from the Appellate Division, Fourth Department in Chautauqua, Niagara, and Ontario Counties. Our office primarily handles appeals from superior court matters — supreme and county courts — but may file appeals to county court when called upon in Genesee, Cattaraugus, Ontario, and Orleans Counties.

When necessary, attorneys provide representation to clients beyond representation in the Fourth Department. This includes leave applications to the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, and petitions for a writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court. If a leave application or petition are granted, APCU attorneys continue representing clients in those courts.

APCU is also privileged to be able to represent clients in post-conviction proceedings challenging wrongful convictions and sentences. This includes, but is not limited to, proceedings brought pursuant to CPL §§ 440.10, 440.20, 440.30, and 440.47.

Learn more about our services here https://legalaidbuffalo.org/services/

Why Join Us?

• Desirable Work-Life Balance: Balance your professional and personal life effectively.
• Competitive Pay: Earn a salary ranging from $163,000 to $186,000, 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: Qualifying employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.

Key Responsibilities:                      

• Provides operational support to the CDU and APCU Unit Chief Attorneys as needed.
• Participates in countywide and statewide boards, organizations, and bar association activities to further the interests of the Bureau and clients in the criminal practice. Serves on committees that set policy and legislation for the community served by the Bureau.
• Monitors the performance of the Bureau’s Criminal Practice Chief Attorneys and provides feedback.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with Erie County Government officials, the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) and the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services (ILS), as well as other funders supporting the Bureau’s Criminal Practice.
• Maintains an in-depth knowledge of funding sources and requirements. Works with Chief Attorneys to ensure that day-to-day procedures and practices conform to the various reporting requirements of the Bureau’s funders.
• Identifies new funding sources for the CDU and APCU and prepares and submits applications for new funding sources.
• Prepares and submits reports per funder requirements, including ILS Performance Measures, ILS 195 Annual Reports, Quarterly Erie County reports, and other reports, as required by the CEO.
• Conducts regular meetings with Criminal Practice Unit Chief Attorneys and the CDU Legal Directors to review Unit activities and/or staff concerns.
• Monitors attorney grievances and/or other claims relating to attorney representation of the Bureau’s Criminal Practice with the Chief Attorneys.
• At the direction of the CEO, and in partnership with Human Resources, assists in resolving internal grievances, complaints, and other employee matters.
• In collaboration with the Deputy Executive Director– Civil Practice and Human Resources, develops and implements policies and procedures for operations of the Bureau.
• In collaboration with the CEO and the Deputy Executive Director– Civil Practice assists the CDU Legal Director in any legislative initiatives, meetings and advocacy that impact the Bureau’s services and/or clientele.
• Meets regularly with the CEO, Finance Department, and the CDU and APCU Chief Attorneys and CDU Legal Director to review budgets, spending, contract performance, and other budgetary and financial Unit matters.
• Attends Board of Directors meetings.
• Participates in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and contract negotiations.
• Collaborates with the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion education and actively collaborates with Bureau management in support of Bureau DEI initiatives.
• Works with the Development and Communications Manager to prepare Bureau-related reports.

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

• Ten years of experience as an attorney in the practice of criminal defense; or
• A combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the above employment standard and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• 5+ years management experience preferred.
• Computer proficiency, including, but not limited to, word processing skills and computerized legal research.

Additional Requirements: 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: all 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.

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, at least three (3) references, and writing sample to [email protected] 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. We look forward to welcoming a new member to our dedicated team.