Post-Graduate Fellowship Fall 2013
The Neighborhood Defender Service Of Harlem (NDS) is a community-based, holistic public defender office located in Harlem. NDS represents residents of Northern Manhattan who are charged with crimes who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Clients are represented by teams composed of lawyers, investigators, social workers, and team administrators. NDS also provides pre-arrest representation to clients under threat of arrest. NDS adheres to a client-centered approach to representation that emphasizes a heightened responsiveness to clients' needs prior to arrest, while a case is pending, and after the case concludes.
NDS seeks to hire a recent law school graduate for a two-year post-graduate fellowship position. The fellowship will begin in September 2013 and continue through August 2015. Third year law students graduating in the Spring of 2013 are eligible to apply.
NDS Fellows will assume the responsibilities of a Staff Attorney, representing clients on misdemeanor cases. This includes appearing in court at clients' arraignments, regular court appearances, plea negotiations, hearings, and trials. NDS Fellows interview clients and their families in the office or the local jails, conduct legal research, and write pre-pleadings, motions and pre-sentencing memoranda on behalf of clients. NDS Fellows will also spearhead and coordinate work performed by team members (investigators, social workers, team administrators).
NDS is looking for recent law school graduates with a demonstrated commitment to criminal justice and/or social justice issues. In addition, the job requires energy, enthusiasm, a commitment to excellence, and an unwavering commitment to clients. Applicants must possess a demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively through writing, and must have a high level of organizational skills in order to represent many clients. Fluency in Spanish is preferred, as is prior clinical, externship or internship experience in a public defender office.
NDS is prepared to offer a generous compensation package, including a competitive base salary as well as health, 401(k) and vacation benefits.
Interested applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to NDS at ndsfellow@ndsny.org with the subject line, "NDS Fellowship Fall." For more information about NDS, please visit our website at www.ndsny.org.
Neighborhood Defender Service, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
