Our Non-Citizen Post-Conviction Relief (“PCR”) Practice
Our Non-Citizen Post-Conviction Relief Practice strives to mitigate the immigration consequences of criminal convictions. Staff Attorneys in the practice represent non-citizen clients seeking postconviction relief through motion practice in New York criminal courts, secure immigration-safer dispositions, and conduct clemency advocacy.
Position Description: We are seeking to immediately hire a full-time attorney in the PCR Practice.
The general responsibilities include:
• Investigate non-citizen clients’ mitigating narrative and legal claims
• Interview clients and family members
• Draft persuasive advocacy letters and occasional clemency applications
• Draft post-conviction motions that present strong legal claims and mitigating narrative
• Represent clients in all phases of litigation, including court appearances for evidentiary hearings and plea proceedings
• Conduct relevant legal research
• Collaborate with colleagues, including the social work team
Qualifications:
• A demonstrated commitment to criminal defense, immigrant rights, and social justice
• Experience representing defendants in criminal court, non-citizens in removal proceedings, or other “crim-imm” experience preferred, but recent law school graduates may apply
• Strong research and writing skills
• A self-directed ability to manage an active and dynamic caseload
• Admission to the New York State bar or commitment to gain admission
• Spanish-language ability preferred, but not required
Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience based on a collectively bargained
scale, with a range from $83,585.20 to $112,750.00. Appellate Advocates offers a generous benefits
package, including health and vision insurance, a 401(k), flexible spending and transit account,
and paid sick and vacation time.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of references as a single
PDF to [email protected], referencing “PCR Attorney Position” in the subject line. Applicants
with disabilities may contact Melissa Taveras via telephone (212-693-0085 ext. 252) or e-mail
[email protected] to request and arrange for accommodations for submitting an application.
Due Date: March 6, 2026
Our SORA Practice
New York’s Sex Offender Registration Act (“SORA”) requires individuals convicted of specified
offenses to register as sex offenders, oftentimes for life. Registration, in addition to severely
limiting one’s housing and employment options, carries a profound stigma that makes it difficult
to truly re-enter society. Many SORA-subject individuals are required to meet with the police
frequently and face felony charges for failing to update their information or check in with law
enforcement, even decades after the underlying offense. Additionally, the names, photographs,
home addresses, and offense details of most registered individuals are posted on the Internet
registry.
For many years, Appellate Advocates has represented indigent SORA-subject clients at their
original SORA hearings as well as on appeal. Additionally, we have pursued modification
petitions on clients’ behalf to lower their SORA level, thereby reducing the length of time they are
required to register. We have won numerous SORA hearings and appeals and have successfully
petitioned for downward modifications for clients who have demonstrated rehabilitation after their
initial SORA hearings.
Position Description: We are seeking to immediately hire a full-time attorney to defend our
SORA-subject clients at hearings in trial court and on appeal of their hearings to the Appellate
Division, Second Department, and the Court of Appeals.
Qualifications:
• Recent law graduate or attorney with one to seven years’ criminal defense experience;
• Strong commitment to public defense and serving marginalized communities, with an
emphasis on protecting the rights of people convicted of sex offenses;
• Effective oral advocacy and interviewing skills;
• Strong research and legal writing abilities;
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with clients, supervisors, and
interdisciplinary office teams;
• Strong work ethic;
• Capacity to self-manage an active caseload and meet multiple deadlines;
• Admitted to practice in New York, or ability to seek New York admission immediately.
Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience based on a collectively bargained
scale, with a range from $83,585 to $101,500. Appellate Advocates offers a generous benefits
package, including health and vision insurance, a 401(k), flexible spending and transit account,
and paid sick and vacation time.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references as a single PDF to
[email protected], referencing “SORA Attorney Position” in the subject line. Applicants with
disabilities may contact Melissa Taveras via telephone (212-693-0085 ext. 252) or e-mail
[email protected] to request and arrange for accommodations for submitting an application.
Appellate Advocates is not currently soliciting applications.
Appellate Advocates is not currently soliciting applications.
Appellate Advocates has four different internship opportunities for law students, with each focused on a different practice area: (1) cases arising out of the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act; (2) direct criminal appeals; (3) cases pertaining to the Sex Offender Registration Act; and (4) wrongful convictions. Each is referred to below.
If you are interested in applying to Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, direct appeals, or the Sex Offender Registration Act internships, please send your cover letter and resume to Assistant Managing Attorney Courtney Crosby at [email protected], indicating your interested internship in the subject line. If you are interested in applying to wrongful convictions, please send your cover letter and resume to [email protected] and indicate Wrongful Convictions Internship Program in the subject line.
Please note that our internships are unpaid. Students are are strongly encouraged to apply for grants from schools or other sources.
Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA) Internship/Externship Programs
The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA), enacted in May 2019, reflects the Legislature’s commitment to shortening the prison sentences of domestic violence victims. It has two components. First, for individuals not yet sentenced, the DVSJA permits far more compassionate sentencing than its predecessor statute. Second, the DVSJA created a “look back” provision, to allow for resentencings for those already incarcerated. The DVSJA practice of Appellate Advocates handles all stages of resentencing applications as well as appeals of unsuccessful DVSJA resentencing motions and trial level DVSJA sentencings.
We are currently soliciting law students who will have completed their second year of law school by May 2026. During a ten-week program in the summer, interns will work closely with the DVSJA team on various assignments, including, but not limited to, drafting components of DVSJA motions and clemency petitions for survivors of domestic violence, in addition to aiding with investigating DVSJA claims and hearing preparation. In this role, interns will have the opportunity to visit incarcerated clients, attend hearings, and gain extensive writing experience.
Appellate Advocates is deeply committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Law students who have a strong interest in appellate criminal defense work and/or experience working with survivors of domestic violence are encouraged to apply. Excellent research and writing skills are essentials.
We fill positions on a rolling basis and begin considering applications in September for the following summer.
We also welcome extern applications throughout the year.
Direct Appeal Summer Internship Program
We are no longer soliciting direct appeal internship applications for the summer of 2026. We will begin accepting applications in August 2026 for the summer of 2027.
Sex Offender Registration Act Program
New York’s Sex Offender Registration Act (“SORA”) requires individuals convicted of specified offenses to register as sex offenders, oftentimes for life. Registration, in addition to severely limiting one’s housing and employment options, carries a profound stigma that makes it difficult to ever truly re-enter society.
Many SORA-subject individuals are required to meet with the police frequently and face felony charges for failing to update their information or check in with law enforcement, even decades after the underlying offense. Additionally, the names, photographs, home addresses, and offense details of most registered individuals are posted on the Internet registry.
There are thousands of people registering as Level 2 (moderate risk) or Level 3 (high risk) offenders in New York City. Some of these individuals have been on the registry for decades without re-offending, have completed long-term therapy, are gainfully employed, and in stable relationships. Without an attorney to file a modification petition to lower their level, however, they will remain on the Internet registry for life.
The law student intern will investigate and prepare modification petitions for individuals seeking to lower their SORA levels. The SORA intern will work closely with attorneys in every aspect of the modification process, including meeting with clients, interviewing relevant witnesses, reviewing court paperwork, drafting affirmations and motions, and orally arguing at the final hearing in Supreme Court.
The internship will begin on June 1, 2026, and conclude on August 3, 2026. Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week. Applicants must have a strong interest in criminal defense with an emphasis on protecting the rights of people convicted of serious sex offenses, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to research and write independently.
Wrongful Convictions
Public trust and confidence in the legitimacy of the criminal justice system depend on the accuracy and fairness of the process culminating in convictions. Despite various institutional safeguards in the criminal justice system, wrongful convictions occur due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, witness misidentification and perjury, investigative errors, forensic errors, and prosecutorial misconduct, resulting in serious personal loss to the wrongfully convicted and damage to the criminal justice institution. The wrongfully convicted often spend years in prison before any measure of justice is achieved.
The wrongful conviction practice at Appellate Advocates seeks to identify and investigate cases where our client is factually innocent. To reverse these miscarriages of justice, the actual innocence practice conducts a thorough investigation of each client’s innocence claim, culminating in a written motion to vacate and dismiss the judgment, or submission of a petition to one of the post-conviction review bureaus created by the District Attorneys in each borough in New York City to investigate credible claims of actual innocence.
Appellate Advocates is presently soliciting law students who have completed their second year of law school and share our drive to achieve justice for those people who have been wrongfully accused and convicted. During a ten-week summer internship program, interns will work closely with the wrongful conviction team of attorneys and in-house investigator to review record evidence, uncover evidence not previously known, meet and interview the client and witnesses, and draft either a motion to vacate the judgment or petition to the appropriate post-conviction review board. Successful applicants will have superior analytical and writing skills.
We are also seeking externs who are interested in working with the wrongful conviction team throughout the school year. If you are interested in working with us, please send your resume to [email protected] and indicate “Wrongful Conviction Externship Program” on the subject line.
Appellate Advocates is not currently soliciting applications.
