The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks passionate attorneys with a commitment to public defense to join our Family Defense Practice  

Founded in 1997, The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that has developed a nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense, which provides people with teams of lawyers, social workers, and advocates to defend them zealously in court as well as to address the underlying drivers and enmeshed penalties of legal system involvement. 

Since opening our doors, we have grown into an organization of more than 400 staff members defending nearly 20,000 New Yorkers each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings who face incarceration, family separation, eviction, and deportation, among other devastating consequences. 

Today we are reimagining the role of public defense even further, using community organizing and engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation to partner with the communities we represent to bring about long-lasting systemic change. 

We also share our model and lessons learned with current and future public defenders, run two legal clinics at NYC law schools and train public defenders throughout the country on how to move to a holistic model of representation. 

Family Defense Practice 

The Bronx Defenders’ Family Defense Practice (FDP) provides legal representation and social work support to parents charged with child abuse and neglect who are at risk of losing custody of their children. Our Family Defense Practice is at the forefront of a movement to provide holistic representation to parents in the Bronx while creating long-term solutions for the reunification and stability of families. Family Defense Practice Attorneys primarily litigate abuse and neglect cases, but occasionally appear in concurrent matters including custody, visitation, and termination of parental rights. 

• Zealously represent parents in child protective proceedings in Bronx Family Court and any concurrent matters including custody, visitation, and termination of parental rights cases  

• Litigate legal matters in abuse and neglect proceedings in hearings and trials in family court - orally and in writing  

• Effectively communicate and negotiate with judges, caseworkers, child attorneys, and representatives of the Administration for Children’s Services on behalf of parents  

• Assist parents in accessing appropriate resources and services to restore full parental rights  

• Collaborate with social workers and parent advocates in the Family Defense Practice, as well as attorneys and advocates in the criminal defense, civil action and immigration practice on enmeshed issues that arise in other venues  

• Collaborate to provide coverage for cases to ensure that all client needs are met  

• Maintain client case files and data in BxD’s case management system   

• Provide mentorship to junior attorneys 

• Supervise and train interns and externs 

• Conduct internal trainings in conjunction with the FDP Training Department 

To be eligible, candidates must have:  

• One year of family defense or related experience 

• Graduate of an American Bar Association-accredited law school OR Barred attorney with the ability to practice in New York or to be barred upon hiring 

Applicants must demonstrate:  

• Commitment to directly defending parents charged with abuse and/or neglect in child welfare proceedings   

• 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 with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers 

• Commitment to fierce advocacy, and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of clients 

• Effective research, writing and courtroom advocacy skills 

• Strong analytical skills and capacity to employ non-legal resources in cases 

• Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, 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 

Preferred, but not required: 

• Spanish language proficiency  

• Experience working in the family regulation system, in the field of Family Law, or a related field  

Applicants, if hired, must:  

• Sit for the New York State Bar Examination (if applicable at the time) or  

• Submit the alternative appropriate materials necessary for admission or waiver    

This is a hybrid position that will require at least 21 hours/week of in-person work. 

Salary is commensurate with experience.  For candidates with 1-10 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $82,574-111,240. 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 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 when prompted. 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 on a rolling basis through December 31, 2025 and decisions will be made as soon as an appropriate candidate is identified. Please contact Nicole Velazquez, Deputy Director of the Family Defense Practice, via email at nicolev@bronxdefenders.org with any questions regarding the position.  

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a 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 serve.