Serving Clients in the Second Circuit and the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York

Trial Attorneys

We are currently hiring for positions in multiple offices. Please see all postings below.

***

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
TRIAL ATTORNEY
Salary Range: $ 127,852 to $191,800 annually, depending on experience

Overview: Federal Defenders of New York (“FDNY”) is seeking a trial attorney for our Long Island office in the Eastern District of New York. The office is located in the United States District Courthouse in Central Islip, New York. FDNY is a community federal public defender office that provides legal representation to indigent persons accused of federal crimes in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. We are not a government agency, and our employees are not government employees. Our mission is straightforward: although we provide our services free of cost, our clients receive the finest legal representation available at any price.

Our Long Island office is a small, collegial office, staffed by three attorneys, an investigator, and an office administrator. The trial attorney’s caseload will be comprised almost exclusively of cases pending in the Federal District Court in Central Islip. Attorneys in the Central Islip office work closely with our Brooklyn office and are able to utilize the expertise of the Client and Mitigation Specialists for their clients. In addition to collaborating with Federal Defenders staff in Brooklyn, attorneys in our Long Island office frequently collaborate and attend trainings and conferences with Federal Defenders staff in Manhattan and White Plains.    

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A minimum of three years of legal experience

  • Courtroom experience including suppression hearings and oral arguments

  • Proficiency in legal analysis and legal writing

  • Commitment to indigent defense

  • Spanish language skill desirable

How to Apply:

Please submit, as separate PDFs, your resume, two writing samples and a one page cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position using the following link: https://airtable.com/app3wosYuHhQj8Xsw/shrx00Qnrz0AbwA04

  • The cover letter should be addressed to Michelle Gelernt, Interim Attorney-in-Charge, Federal Defenders of New York, One Pierrepont Plaza, 16th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

  • Applications will be accepted through May 1, 2024 or until the position is filled.

Additional Information

Federal Defenders of New York’s salaries are consistent with the federal pay scale (based on years of experience) with excellent benefits (e.g., health, dental, vision and employer-sponsored retirement contributions). The pay range for this position is $127,852- $191,800.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are actively engaged in creating and maintaining a work environment characterized by diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe better legal representation occurs when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experience. We encourage applications from members of the BIPOC community and people from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.

***

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
TRIAL ATTORNEY
SALARY RANGE:  $115,440 - $191,800
April 2024

Federal Defenders of New York (FDNY) is seeking applicants for a trial attorney position in our Manhattan office. FDNY is a federal public defender office that provides legal representation to indigent persons accused of federal crimes in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. We are not a government agency and our employees are not government employees. Our mission is straightforward: although we provide our services free of cost, our clients should receive the finest legal representation available at any price. We are looking for someone who is committed to equal justice and willing to fight vigorously for those accused of crimes. A large part of the caseload involves immigration-related offenses, drugs, fraud, bank robbery, firearms, and internet-related crimes.

Applicants must have a minimum of two years of legal experience. Submit your resume, cover letter and two writing samples to Airtable. Application deadline is May 15, 2024 but we will consider applications on a rolling basis so please submit as soon as possible. No calls or faxes please. The cover letter may be addressed to Tamara Giwa, Executive Director, Federal Defenders of New York, 52 Duane St., New York, NY 10007.

The salary is consistent with the federal pay scale and will depend on years of experience. Excellent benefits. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. Federal Defenders is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to creating a work environment that fosters inclusion and belonging for all employees.