The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks an experienced attorney with a commitment to social justice to fill a position as Director of the Impact Litigation Practice (ILP).

BxD is a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system, and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. BxD seeks thoughtful, creative individuals with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our 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 holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, we have developed a groundbreaking, nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense that achieves better outcomes for the people we defend.

Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, family regulation, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. 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 that we work with and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change.

Impact Litigation Practice

The Impact Litigation Practice (ILP) is a collaborative civil rights division of BxD that uses civil litigation strategies to advance and strengthen the rights of the people we represent. ILP works closely with our staff to identify widespread injustices affecting the people we represent and leverage affirmative litigation and adjacent legal tools—from demand letters to class action lawsuits—to redress and end those injustices. ILP’s work covers varied civil rights issues, including but not limited to racial and economic inequity, immigrant rights, LGBTQ rights, and fundamental freedoms. ILP’s approach to civil rights litigation—from the cases we choose to work on to the change we advance—is guided by engagement with the communities we work with, lessons learned in our direct services representation, and a commitment to supporting movements for racial equity and abolition of systems of surveillance and government control over people’s lives.

Some recent efforts include: 

• A state lawsuit against the NYPD for violating privacy laws on behalf of a class of millions of people with arrest records
• A federal lawsuit that secured an order requiring ICE to bring detained immigrants before a judge soon after detaining them
• A Freedom of Information Law request that brought to light a non-public report showing that the Administration of Children and Family Services (ACS) discriminated against Black and brown parents
• Coordinated pre-litigation claims on behalf of Black and brown protesters brutalized by the NYPD that resulted in over a million dollars in settlement offers

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, the Impact Litigation Practice Director is responsible for determining the vision and direction of the Impact Litigation Practice. In addition to leading a team of attorneys, the Director will manage the litigation docket, staff development, network building, and resource allocation for the Impact Litigation Practice.

Litigation Strategy 

• In consultation with other practice areas at BxD, identify and advance impact litigation priorities and advocacy efforts
• Develop, lead, and supervise complex civil rights litigation in federal and state court that challenges the injustices facing the people we represent
• Elevate the experiences and voices of impacted people 

Strategic Planning 

• Execute a strategic vision for the Impact Litigation Practice in collaboration with its staff that aligns with BxD values and mission
• Meet regularly with the people we represent, impacted people, direct services staff, and organizers to ensure impact litigation goals and strategies are shaped by the people we represent and impacted peoples' experiences
• Sustain and grow an organizational structure and strategic vision that reflects and promotes the model of integrating impact litigation in a direct services organization
• Strategize with BxD’s Policy Team to spearhead innovative solutions to injustices faced by the people we represent through impact litigation
• Work closely with the Deputy Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and finance department to develop program budgets, maximize the impact and efficiency of spending to meet program objectives, and monitor program operations to ensure sound fiscal management
• Work with the Director of Strategic Partnerships and the Development Department to maintain and strengthen program funding through effective resource stewardship and building relationships with funders 

Practice Management 

• Supervise staff of approximately three lawyers
• Facilitate regular individual and group supervision meetings with supervisees
• Provide equitable, culturally conscious supervision and support marginalized supervisees in navigating experiences of oppression in their work
• Evaluate performance and provide constructive feedback to supervisees, aiding them in their professional development and growth in the role
• Demonstrate a commitment to anti-oppression work in the practice and office, and support directly impacted supervisees in challenging oppressive patterns
• Prepare annual evaluations of supervisees
• Monitor supervisee workflow
• Meet with managing directors of other practices at BxD and with BxD’s management team on a quarterly and semiannual basis, respectively, to provide updates on the impact litigation docket and brainstorm broader strategic initiatives
• Collaborate with the Chief People and Equity Officer to institute policies and practices to advance equity and cultivate an anti-oppressive culture in the workplace
• Oversee the development and implementation of technical assistance, training, and support initiatives for external and internal stakeholders
• Lead program structure and staffing, including developing, implementing, and ensuring the viability of new roles and projects within impact litigation
• Collaborate with BxD’s Recruiting and Hiring Team to identify staffing needs, recruit qualified applicants, and hire and onboard staff
• Promote sustainability, growth, advancement and retention of staff 

Partnerships 

• Promote the visibility, reputation, work, and vision of ILP among internal and external stakeholders
• Work with the Policy and Community Organizing Team and grassroots organizers in New York City to coordinate impact litigation with broader legislative, racial justice, and social justice movements
• Manage litigation teams with both attorneys and advocates and internal and external members from peer organizations and law firms
• Represent BxD in the media, at conferences, and at other venues
• Work with the Communications team to garner press and utilize BxD's communications channels to amplify the department's actions
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners, coalition members, and legal allies
• Manage pro bono relationships

To be eligible, candidates must have: 

• Membership in good standing to the New York Bar or eligibility for immediate admission upon hire
• Demonstrated success developing and leading impact litigation
• Experience supervising the work of attorneys on impact litigation cases 

Candidates must demonstrate: 

• Commitment to social justice work and issues affecting low-income individuals impacted by the criminal, family, immigration and civil legal systems
• Commitment to supporting indigent, system-involved individuals in the Bronx
• Experience working in and with racially, ethnically and socioeconomically marginalized communities 
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences 
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers
• Ability to develop and implement strategic advocacy and litigation as part of a creative response to civil rights violations affecting marginalized communities
• Commitment to fierce advocacy, and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of the people we represent
• Strong legal analytical skills 
• Ability to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues to a variety of audiences
• Effective research, writing and courtroom advocacy skills
• Supervisory and mentoring skills, including
  • Interest in and commitment to developing and mentoring supervisees
  • Ability to provide intentional and constructive feedback
  • Flexibility in balancing needs of supervisees against their own caseload
• Ability to multitask, maintain operations and meet deadlines in a high-stakes environment 
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters
• Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level 

This is an in-person position consistent with BxD’s hybrid work policies.  

Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 7-15 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $133,280 - $161,360 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 BxD's 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. 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 note that applications without a written cover letter or audio/video statement will not be considered.

Applications will be accepted through November 29, 2024. Please contact Robyn Mar, Deputy Director, via email at robynm@bronxdefenders.org with 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.