New York State Public Defenders Career Fair

We are excited to welcome you to a robust virtual experience.  Registered employers will be receiving applicant resumes a week in advance of the fair. 

After registering, you will receive a live link prior to the event.  In the meantime, make sure your zoom software is updated, polish your interviewing skills and get ready for a great time!

Here’s what you can expect on the day of the career fair.

For networking with other attendees, getting tech help, asking questions and seeking advice.

Welcome videos from hosts:

The New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services, The Chief Defenders Association of New York, The New York State Defenders Association, and The University at Buffalo School of Law.

(Discussions will be recorded and available after the event.)

Topics will include:

• What Are we Looking For?: Executive Directors chime in on what qualities impress them the most
  (Will be presented live earlier in the week, with the recording available immediately afterward)
• How COVID has Affected Public Defense in NYS: From caseloads to working arrangements, what’s the current “normal”?
• Complementary Skills: Hear from PDs who have backgrounds in other fields, including Social Work and Forensic Science
• A Day in the Life of a New Public Defender: 2021 Edition

As a preview, watch last year's panels:

• Silence No More: Why Public Defenders Must Fight for Racial Equality As We Fight For Our Clients
• A Day in the Life of a New Public Defender
• Come to the Boondocks! Public Defense in Rural Counties

NYS ILS, CDANY and NYSDA will be available to discuss such topics as: 

• Appellate Work
• Family Court and AFC Cases
• Juvenile Defense
• Financial Services and Loan Forgiveness

An ever-expanding list of statewide public defenders, each with their own zoom room, waiting to talk to you! Each room will have available chat functions and breakout rooms for group discussions and individual short interviews.

An ever-expanding list of statewide public defenders, each with their own zoom room, waiting to talk to you!  Each room will have available chat functions and breakout rooms for group discussions and individual short interviews. 

Employers registered so far:

• Broome County Public Defender's Office, Binghamton, NY
• Chemung County Public Advocate's Office, Elmira, NY
• Chemung County Public Defender's Office, Elmira, NY
• Clinton County Public Defender, Plattsburgh, NY
• Cortland County Public Defender, Cortland, NY
• Delaware County Public Defender's Office, Delhi, NY
• Dutchess County Public Defender, Poughkeepsie, NY
• Erie County Bar Association Assigned Counsel Program, Buffalo, NY
• Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project Inc, Buffalo, NY
• Franklin County Public Defender, Malone, NY
• Jefferson County Public Defender, Watertown, NY
• Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
• Legal Aid Society of New York City, New York, NY

In April 2017, New York State enacted statewide reforms intended to improve the right to counsel for people charged with a criminal offense, who cannot afford to hire an attorney. 

Amendments to New York County Law § 722-e and the addition of Executive Law § 832 (4) enacted by New York State Governor Cuomo and supported by the NYS legislature encourages and enables each criminal defense provider of legally mandated representation to furnish high quality, effective representation for every client. These recent legislative reforms offer public defense providers across the state the opportunity to hire additional attorneys, investigators, social workers and support staff and develop other resources to further their efforts in improving the overall quality of mandated representation. 

Persons eager to explore opportunities within the New York State public defense arena who seek a challenging work environment that promotes diversity, embraces change, and provides leadership opportunities are encouraged to participate in this Public Defenders Career Fair.