Public Defender In Jobs in Buffalo, NY (NOW HIRING)

The New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services (ILS) Western New York Regional Support Center (WNY RSC) addresses the compelling need for ILS to provide State expertise for local providers of public defense services and governments and to assure that the reforms initiated by the Hurrell-Harring settlement and its extension statewide under Executive Law § 832(4) are implemented as effectively and as efficiently as possible in western New York counties.
ILS’ main office is located in Albany. The WNY RSC is located in downtown Buffalo to enable ILS to better coordinate with the counties and WNY’s public defense providers. The Attorney in Charge (AIC) oversees the office with a staff of four attorneys (two under the direct supervision the AIC and two situated in the WNY RSC reporting to supervisors in Albany) and two specialized professionals.
The Attorney in Charge of WNY RSC reports to the ILS Criminal Defense Representation Chief (CDR Chief) located in Albany. The AIC oversees staff and programmatic initiatives in ILS Region G (Cayuga, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates counties) and Region H (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties).
WNY RSC staff work with county based public defense providers including Public Defender Offices, Conflict Defender Offices, legal aid societies and Assigned Counsel Programs. This position does not engage in direct representation of clients.
Specific duties include:
• Forges and strengthens relationships with local government officials and public defense providers throughout Regions G and H. This includes regular contact with WNY county governments and public defense providers, including regular in-person meetings.
• Promotes implementation of the ILS reform plans within the regions, under the direction of the CDR Chief and coordinating closely with the Deputy Chief Attorneys supervising ILS Regions A-F. This includes regular meetings with the CDR Chief, the entire CDR team, and other members of the ILS staff as warranted. Meetings are usually virtual with occasional in-person attendance in Albany as needed.
• Identifies challenges to implementation of the ILS reform plans and works collaboratively with county officials and public defense providers to develop creative solutions to meet the challenges.
• Maximizes the best use of state funding by all providers and counties within the regions to improve the quality of public defense representation, including negotiating budgets for ILS contracts with public defense providers and counties.
• Promotes regional cooperative efforts including shared services agreements between and among counties. This also includes attending and assisting with regional meetings among WNY providers.
• Manages four WNY RSC staff members, directly overseeing the work of Criminal Defense Representation Counsel for Region G, Criminal Defense Representation Counsel for Region H, the Resource Support and Data Specialist, and the Administrative Assistant in the exercise of their responsibilities to support reform implementation and improve the quality of representation by public defense providers within the region.
• Provides on-site support for the Appellate Attorney for Parent Representation who is located in the WNY RSC and is a member of ILS’ Statewide Appellate Support Center (located in Albany).
• Coordinates with the Director of Research to oversee progress of Resource Support and Data Specialist to ensure accurate and consistent caseload, quality initiatives, and counsel at arraignment data; also staffing, spending, case outcome and other data as ILS requires for each provider and county.
• Coordinates with the Director of Quality Enhancement, Parent Representation (based in Albany) on the work of the WNY RSC’s Family Court Counsel (who is based in the WNY RSC) to implement reform plans and quality enhancement initiatives for mandated Family Court representation in Regions G and H.
• Participates in scheduled meetings with agency leadership and other agency staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

Admission to the New York State Bar and four years of experience in the practice of law subsequent to admission to the Bar.
An ideal candidate will have at least seven years’ experience in criminal defense representation and demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting high quality public defense, strong leadership skills, a high degree of professionalism and collegiality, sound judgment, and strong oral and written skills.

The mission of Indigent Legal Services (ILS) is to improve the representation provided to New Yorkers facing criminal charges or family litigation who cannot afford counsel. Our agency’s work is transforming criminal defense and parental representation, while helping people in crisis achieve greater justice in criminal cases and maintain family integrity. Join us to help shape policy and practice statewide and to have a profound impact on justice statewide. Become part of a team of dedicated professionals who share your commitment to a more fair and just society.

ILS is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. These values not only guide our work; we believe they are essential to fulfilling our mission to improve mandated representation in New York State. ILS staff share responsibility for creating a more inclusive workplace. Diverse voices and perspectives only strengthen our ability to create transformational change. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

ILS welcomes candidates regardless of age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, military or veteran status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital or family status, domestic violence victim status, or arrest record or criminal conviction history.

We offer a comprehensive New York State benefits package, including:
• Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision Care Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Paid Personal Leave, Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays
• Paid Family Leave
• Health Care Spending Account
• Dependent Care Advantage Account
• Membership in the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System
• Voluntary Defined Contribution Plan
• Deferred Compensation Plan

ILS employees are eligible to apply to telecommute part-time and/or adjust work hours in accordance with ILS’s policies, subject to supervisor approval.

Western New York is a great place to live with a low cost-of living in neighborhoods ranging from urban to rural within a short commute. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or an arts aficionado, there is something for everyone. Enjoy skiing in Ellicottville, kayaking, boating hiking, Buffalo Bills football, Buffalo Sabres hockey, historic architecture, vibrant art galleries, great food, and close proximity to Niagara Falls and the great Canadian city of Toronto.

Employees may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentaid.gov/publicservice.

The State of New York is committed to assuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. Requests for reasonable accommodations should be submitted to the Designee for Reasonable Accommodations (DRA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator at RAinquiries@OGS.NY.Gov.