Supervising Attorney for Mental Health, Assigned Counsel Plan

ABOUT THE OFFICE: Pursuant to Article 18-B of the County Law, the Assigned Counsel Plan (ACP), in consultation with the Presiding Justices of the 1st and 2nd Appellate Divisions, has been providing quality legal services to indigent persons since 1966. All services provided by the Assigned Counsel Plan are funded by the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services and the City of New York through the Office of Criminal Justice. ACP provides compensation to private attorneys representing indigent clients charged with criminal offenses. Attorneys are assigned matters by the Administrator's office when a conflict exists prohibiting the institutional providers from providing representation.

ABOUT THE ROLE: The Supervising Attorney for Mental Health will provide oversight to 18-B attorneys to advocate for clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges in the Criminal and Supreme Courts of New York City. Under the supervision of the ACP Administrators and with significant latitude for independent judgement, the Supervising Attorney for Mental Health will provide assistance to attorneys and work to ensure best practices by executing the following tasks:
- Provide legal assistance, case consultation, and expert referral guidance to panel attorneys handling cases involving mental health issues.
- Work with other ACP Supervising Attorneys monitoring case activity to ensure attorney adherence to best practices.
- Maintain cooperative and supportive relationships with relevant personnel in state and city agencies and with community-based stake holders.
- Coordinate with ACP Supervising Attorneys for Training to provide CLE’s addressing law and issues relevant to representing clients with mental health issues.
- Oversee panel attorneys’ participation in problem-solving courts. Provide guidance to attorneys as to how and when to utilize those courts.
- Instruct attorneys in psychological defenses. Provide attorneys with case law and trial strategies.
- Direct attorneys how to effectively employ forensic and mitigation experts.
- Guide attorneys as they navigate CPL 730 and Mental Hygiene Laws.
- Respond to client, community, and staff concerns.
- Represent ACP at citywide and statewide coalition meetings, task forces, and working groups for mental health initiatives.
- Other duties as assigned

PLEASE SUBMT YOUR COVER LETTER, RESUME, AND REFERENCES

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.