Digital Forensic Attorney

The Bronx Defenders an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx seeks an experienced criminal defense attorney to join the Forensic Practice Group as a Digital Forensic Attorney. 

The Bronx Defenders is a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system, and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. BxD seeks thoughtful, creative, energetic individuals with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our staff of over 500 includes interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, benefits specialists, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, we have developed a groundbreaking, nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense that achieves better outcomes for the people we defend. 

Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, child welfare, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. Through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing, we push for systemic reform at the local, state, and national levels. We take what we learn from the clients and communities that we serve and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change. 

Forensic Practice Group 

The Forensic Practice Group (FPG) effectively confronts and utilizes forensic science on behalf of our clients. FPG attorneys conduct both internal and external trainings to ensure forensic literacy, and work on policy initiatives to prevent the misuse of science in courts. 

The digital forensic attorney will be part of the Forensic Practice Group (FPG). The attorney works closely with other members of FPG. The attorney will consult on cases with digital evidence at issue, stay up to date on current technologies and the scientific and legal developments in the field.

The Digital Forensics Attorney will work with attorneys to assist in the litigation of cases where there is digital evidence. The Digital Forensic Attorney will be expected to have or quickly gain an understanding of cell site location, device searches and analysis, ShotSpotter, the New York Police Departments Facial Identification Section (FIS), and social media analysis and preservation, including the use of CellHawk, Magnet and Cellebrite software. Responsibilities can be found below. 

• Maintain in-house resources including, but not limited to, research articles, expert lists, and digital forensic tools to aid in the litigation of cases with digital forensic evidence   

• Create guidelines, training and reference materials to aid attorneys on the ethical use of digital informationin their legal cases  
• Create reference materials for attorneysincluding model motions and treatises 
• Maintain a case tracking system of digital forensics strategies taken in individual cases  
• Review discovery files and consult with attorneys about the data and conclusions contained therein 
• Assist individual attorneys with writing, research and investigation requests in cases involving digital forensics 
• Consult with attorneys on: 

• Obtaining digital evidence 
• Suppression and preclusion of evidence  
• Ethical use of digital evidence and 
• Analyzing and interpreting digital information  

• Develop and conduct annual legal training on issues related to digital forensics 
• Become familiar with experts in the field 
• Assist in preparing experts for cross-examinations  
• Attend and participate in trainings on digital forensics both inside and outside the office 

To be eligible, candidates must have: 

• At least three years of experience as a criminal defense attorney 

Candidates must demonstrate: 

• Commitment to challenging systemic injustice and carceral systems 
• Commitment to defending people charged with criminal offenses in the Bronx community 

• Commitment to fierce advocacy, and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of clients 
• Experience working in and with racially, ethnically and socioeconomically marginalized communities 
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences 
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers 
• Effective research, writing and courtroom advocacy skills 

• Strong analytical skills and capacity to employ non-legal resources in cases 
• Ability to develop and deliver clear, actionable and comprehensive trainings 
• Mentoring skills including 

• Interest in and commitment to developing and mentoring attorneys  
• Ability to provide intentional and constructive feedback 

• Ability to provide attorneys with guidance and support on their cases while balancing their own caseload with their own caseload 

• Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment 
• Meticulous attention to detail 
• Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles 
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly 

• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters 
• Commitment to raising ones cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level 
• Experience with Cell Site Records, IP Records, Cellhawk, Cellebrite, Magnet or other types of digital forensic software and forensic evidence is preferred, but not required 

No specific background in computer or network engineering is required for this position. However, an applicant should display deep and sustained interest in privacy, digital technology, and data collection. This is a research-intensive position that requires continuous monitoring of developing law and technologies. Thus, an applicant should enjoy working on long-term research projects and keeping up to date on the intersection of technology and law. 

This is a hybrid position that will require in-person work and contact with staff and community members. As of October 29, 2021, all city-funded employees with any potential of in-person contact with clients, community members or staff are required to show proof of full vaccination. You can find more details regarding this mandate here. Please let us know if this presents an issue. 

Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 3-8 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $84,392 to $97,720. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided when and if an offer is extended. 

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit. 

This position is exempt. By law, nonexempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not. 

To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and a cover letter in one document when prompted. If you would prefer to send in a video or audio statement in lieu of a cover letter, you may upload your resume as a document and separately upload a video or audio statement instead of a cover letter. Your cover letter or video/audio statement should share why you want to do this work at our office, some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position, and any additional information you would like for us to consider. Your cover letter may be up to one page if written or up to 3 minutes if an audio/video statement. This information allows us to understand your distinct perspective, experience and potential beyond the work history summarized on your resume. Please remember that you may submit a written cover letter or an audio/video statement, but not both, and applications without either will not be considered. The start date for this position is immediate or as soon as possible. 

Applications will be accepted through December 1, 2022. Please contact Annette Lee, Deputy Director of the Criminal Defense Practice, via email at [ Email address blocked ] - Click here to apply to Digital Forensic Attorney with any questions regarding the position. 

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we work with.

Salary : $84,392 - $97,720