The Bronx Defenders – an innovative, progressive, holistic legal defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a Forensic Practice Group Director. 

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.  

Criminal Defense

The Bronx is one of the most aggressively policed boroughs in New York City. As a result, we represent thousands of people each year, nearly 40% of whom are charged with low-level offenses such as shoplifting, traffic offenses, and drug possession. As part of our holistic approach, we spend time getting to know the people we represent and gaining a deeper understanding of their lives and needs. With that understanding, we advocate for people by thoroughly investigating their cases, raising novel legal arguments, using creative tools of persuasion and storytelling, and addressing needs that go beyond the scope of their cases. 

Forensic Practice Group  

Situated within the Criminal Defense Practice, The Forensic Practice Group (FPG) utilizes forensic science to defend the people we represent, advocate for policies that prevent the misuse of science in courts and ensure forensic literacy both within our office and among other public defender offices.   

Reporting directly to the Managing Director of the Criminal Defense Practice, the Forensic Practice Group Director will assist with the supervision of complex litigation in the Forensic Practice Group and develop a strategic vision for the future of the Forensic Practice Group.  

Acquire Forensic Science Expertise, Develop Trainings and Keep Office Abreast of Forensic Science Developments 

• Stay abreast of forensic science issues by attending external trainings, and developing and maintaining relationships with external organizations and people with forensic science expertise 

• Collaborate with the Training Director to develop forensic science training materials and programs for the Criminal Defense Practice  

• Develop and maintain a centralized database attorneys and advocates in all practice areas can access with forensic science-related information and forensic experts 

• Circulate Forensic Legal Updates on a regular basis 

Practice Leadership 

• Support, develop, lead, and execute the strategic vision for forensic practice within CDP, including but not limited to working closely with the Co-Directors of HPG to integrate the work of FPG into HPG 

• Participate in supervisor meetings and support other supervisors in CDP 

• Assist in the evaluation of attorneys and other advocates  

• Assist in the development of best practices, new trainings, projects and initiatives within forensic practice fields 

• Promote holistic advocacy within FPG and the office 

• Lead internal trainings on forensic topics for current and new staff 

• Provide case conferencing and case rounds/moots for forensics-related litigation 

• Provide email updates and other internal communications to make CDP aware of the referral process and work of FPG 

• Supervise members of the Forensic Practice Group in their forensic work and, as necessary, supervise attorneys litigating complex forensic issues 

• Provide supervision support to the Digital Technology Specialist & Investigator 

• Encourage collaboration among FPG and lead monthly meetings and check-ins with the group 

• Develop and oversee the FPG referral process, and provide referral coverage as necessary 

• Collaborate with the Training Director to decide on co-counsel assignments for cases with forensic issues and directly co-counsel cases where and when appropriate 

Policy/External Advocacy  

• Work with the Criminal Defense Practice Legal Department to pursue Frye motions and other strategic litigation throughout the office, city, and state 

• Collaborate with the Criminal Defense Practice Policy Team on issues related to forensic practice 

• Represent CDP/BxD in external forums and coalitions, including but not limited to defender working groups focused on forensic practice 

To be eligible, candidates must have: 

• Minimum of 10 years of experience practicing law as a criminal defense attorney 

• Full felony certification  

• Experience with litigating forensic sciences issues (e.g. Ballistics, DNA, Identification Issues, Problematic Statements) 

Candidates must demonstrate: 

•  Commitment to directly defending people ensnared in criminal, family, civil and immigration legal systems 

• 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 

• 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 

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

• Strong research, writing and courtroom advocacy skills 

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

• Strong supervisory and mentoring skills as demonstrated by a record of success in; 

• Developing and mentoring supervisees 

• Providing constructive feedback 

• Flexibility in balancing the needs of supervisees against their own caseload  

• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly 

• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters 

This is a part-time, hybrid position that will last 6 months. With mutual agreement between the employee and the employer, the position may be extended beyond six (6) months. 

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 cover letter in one document. Your cover letter should share why you want to do this work at our office, as well as some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position. Your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience and should include all relevant professional experience. Applications without a written cover letter will not be considered.   

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.