The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive non-profit providing holistic defense, legal representation and advocacy to thousands of indigent clients in the South Bronx – seeks an experienced attorney with a demonstrated commitment to social justice to join us as General Counsel.
Established in 1997, The Bronx Defenders developed its groundbreaking model of representation known as holistic defense with the goal of radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system. BxD’s dynamic and diverse staff of over 400 includes interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, benefits specialists, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, who collaborate to provide clients with multi-dimensional, holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, BxD has won national recognition for its holistic model of public defense, which achieves better outcomes for the people we defend while striving to bring about transformational change in the system itself.
Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, family, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. Our staff consists of thoughtful and creative individuals united by a deep commitment to social justice. Through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing, we push for systemic change at the local, state, and national levels. We take what we learn from the people we represent and communities we work with and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change.
Reporting to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors, the General Counsel provides legal advice and counsel to the organization’s leadership on critical legal, strategic, and public policy issues facing BxD. The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of the organization and a member of the BxD executive management team. In that capacity, the General Counsel also advises the Board of Directors directly on legal matters and is responsible for ensuring that the Board is apprised of material legal developments and risks. The General Counsel supports the organization’s leadership to ensure compliance with applicable law and uphold high standards of ethics, integrity, and equity throughout the organization’s operations. The General Counsel assists leadership in strategically managing legal risks in all aspects of decision-making; providing legal expertise in the development of innovative programs and initiatives; and providing responsive and constructive general legal support to the organization’s entire staff. The Bronx Defenders is a unionized workplace; approximately 70% of the staff are members of the union.
Non-Profit/Charitable Organization Operations
Ethics And Practice
Labor And Employment
Transactional and Operational
Internal and External Legal Affairs
Work with the Board of Directors
Office of The General Counsel (OGC)
To be eligible, candidates must have:
Candidates should demonstrate:
The following are preferred, but not required:
This is a hybrid position that will require a minimum of 21 hours of in-office work per week.
Salary is commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position would be approximately $225,000-$275,000. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided when and if an offer is extended.
Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is not within the bargaining unit.
This position is exempt. By law, nonexempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.
To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and a cover letter in one document. If you would prefer to send in a video or audio statement in lieu of a cover letter, you may upload your resume as a document and separately upload a video or audio statement instead of a cover letter. Your cover letter or video/audio statement should share why you want to do this work at our office, some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position, and any additional information you would like for us to consider. This information allows us to understand your distinct perspective, experience and potential beyond the work history summarized on your resume. Your cover letter may be up to one page if written or up to 3 minutes if an audio/video statement. If selected for the position, your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience listed; we therefore encourage you to ensure your resume is up to date. Please remember that you may submit a written cover letter or an audio/video statement, but not both, and applications without either will not be considered.
Applications will be accepted through December 31st, 2024. Please contact Karen Maxim, Interim Associate General Counsel , via email at KMaxim@bronxdefenders.org and Juval Scott, Executive Director, via email at jscott@bronxdefenders.orgwith any questions regarding the position.
The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we work with.
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