The Bronx Defenders – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a passionate, experienced attorney with a commitment to public defense to join our Criminal 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. 

The Criminal Defense Practice   

The Criminal Defense Practice (CDP) at The Bronx Defenders consists of over 150 attorneys, investigators, social workers, practice associates, and administrators who provide comprehensive criminal defense representation to people in the Bronx facing police and criminal legal system involvement. Through a client-centered approach, our CDP legal teams strive to gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances and priorities of the people we represent. Armed with that understanding, we fight for desired outcomes by strategically raising personalized, persuasive arguments in mitigation, negotiations, and litigation.  

• Engage in intensive client interviewing, counseling, research, writing, oral advocacy and negotiations as part of legal representation 

• Zealously advocate for individuals charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses in Bronx Criminal Court from the time of arraignment through disposition or trial, as well as concurrent proceedings such as Department of Motor Vehicle refusal hearings 

• Provide comprehensive, team-based representation collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of attorneys and advocates to avoid or mitigate any further legal system involvement or civil consequences that may arise out of contact with the criminal legal system 

• Effectively litigate, confidently negotiate and skillfully advocate for the people we represent with judges, prosecutors, and other actors within the systems our clients are navigating 

• Regularly work arraignment shifts, including on nights and weekends 

• Assist colleagues with representation of clients 

• Co-counsel cases in other venues like Family Court, Civil Court and Administrative Hearings, as necessary and desired 

• Participate in holistic advocacy within the practice and in the office 

• Participate in internal working groups to develop best practices across referral relationships 

• Participate in trainings within the office as well as, on occasion, external community events, conferences and webinars in which BXD is participating or presenting 

To be eligible, candidates must have: 

• At least 3 years of experience in Criminal Law 

• Membership in good standing or eligibility for prompt admission to the New York Bar  

Applicants must demonstrate:  

• Commitment to directly defending people charged with criminal offenses in the Bronx community 

• Commitment to challenging systemic injustice and carceral systems  

• Experience working in and with racially and socioeconomically marginalized communities 

• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate, and connect with people from various backgrounds, identities, and experiences  

• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers in our criminal, immigration, civil action and family defense practices 

• Commitment to fierce advocacy, and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of the people we represent 

• 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 under pressure, 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 around sensitive issues 

• Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level 

This is an in-person position. 

Salary is commensurate with experience.  For candidates with 3-10 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $86,400-$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; and 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. If you would prefer to send in a video or audio statement in lieu of a cover letter, you may upload your resume 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 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 on a rolling basis. Please contact the Recruiting & Hiring Team via email at hiring@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.