ADA-Youth Justice Bureau

Job Summary

The Office of the Bronx County District Attorney serves a multicultural, international community of 1.4 million residents. Led by District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, the Bronx District Attorney's Office is among the nation's leading prosecutorial institutions, driven by its mission of “Pursuing Justice with Integrity.” The Office is seeking dynamic, collaborative, and experienced attorneys (with three or more years of experience) who are deeply committed to youth justice to serve as Assistant District Attorneys in the Youth Justice Bureau (YJB).

The Youth Justice Bureau prosecutes serious felonies committed by adolescents aged 13 to 17. These youths often face numerous challenges, including histories of trauma, behavioral health needs, and co-occurring disorders. In appropriate cases, the Bureau collaborates with community-based organizations to offer individualized, trauma-informed dispositions aimed at supporting youth development, promoting accountability to victims and the community, and addressing underlying drivers of offending behavior.

Youth Justice Prosecutors will handle complex felony investigations and prosecutions and help develop innovative legal strategies in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Prosecutors in this role will also work with the community, attend youth-focused events, and help identify and address trends in youth violence and vulnerability.

Job Responsibilities

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Maintaining a caseload primarily involving serious felony offenses committed by 13- to 17-year-old youths.
• Working closely with colleagues and supervisors to investigate, strategize, and conference these complex cases to ensure fair and appropriate outcomes.
• Ensuring a youth-specific justice lens informs all decision points, beginning with arrest screening and consideration of Family Court referrals and through ultimate disposition.
• Presenting appropriate felony cases to the Grand Jury to secure indictments.
• Handling a high volume of cases with extensive motion practice and dispositional monitoring, often under stringent deadlines.
• Collaborating with Professional Staff to ensure compliance with legal and administrative obligations, including discovery, Brady, and Giglio.
• Staffing the Felony Youth Part and making appropriate records on one’s own and other attorneys’ cases.
• Assisting other Bureaus with matters involving Youth Part practices and policies to ensure consistency.
• Responding effectively, both orally and in writing, to complex legal questions and novel issues.
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to assess adolescents’ mental health, trauma histories, and behavioral challenges and recommend tailored interventions.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with community-based organizations to ensure alignment between services offered and the needs of the adolescent population.
• Implementing Office and Bureau-specific policies as directed.
• Participating regularly in relevant training, staff meetings, and internal development opportunities.
• Staying informed of research and best practices relating to youth justice and adolescent brain development.
• Representing the Office at site visits, community forums, and outreach activities focused on youth engagement.
• Maintaining productive working relationships with NYPD, ACS, Family Court, Probation, the Sheriff's Office, and the defense bar.
• Routinely performing evening, weekend, and holiday assignments, including responding on a 24-hour basis to crime scenes, police precincts, and booking facilities.
• Performing additional duties and special projects as assigned to support Bureau and Office-wide objectives.
  
  

Job Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant legal experience.
• U.S. Citizenship and New York State Residency required as of the first day of employment.
• Admission to the New York State Bar in good standing, with the provision of an original, current Certificate of Good Standing.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and strong ethical standards.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Outstanding interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven capacity for creative problem-solving and ability to be flexible.
• Discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive investigations and cases involving minors.
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with court operations and general courtroom procedures.
• Demonstrated commitment to youth justice and trauma-informed prosecution preferred.
• Familiarity with the juvenile justice system, including the Raise the Age statute and Family Court practice, is preferred.
• Solid working knowledge of New York’s Penal Law and Criminal Procedure Law, especially as applied to adolescent offenders.
• Grand Jury experience is strongly preferred.
• Excellent legal writing and advocacy skills.
• Strong experience with CPL
• 245 discovery compliance and case certification for trial readiness.
• Significant experience in hearing and trial proceedings is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with Bronx County neighborhoods, local resources, and community dynamics is preferred.
  
  

Due to the Office’s and this position’s necessary service requirements, selected candidates must be willing to work nights and weekends.

To Apply

Please click below. Please include your cover letter, resume, and the names and telephone numbers of three professional references to your application. Upon your completion, we will review your application and contact you if you are selected for an interview. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact Legal Recruitment at 718-590-2258 or via email at LegalRecruitment@bronxda.nyc.gov.

• LOAN FORGIVENESS: The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with Bronx District Attorney’s Office qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program's other requirements. Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
  
  

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.