Criminal Defense Project Lawyer

 
Job Title:  Criminal Defense Project Lawyer

The International Legal Foundation (the ILF), a not-for-profit organization based in Brooklyn, New York, was created 10 years ago for the purpose of setting up public defender systems in post-conflict countries and regions in transition

(www.TheILF.org).

ILF is setting up a new project, ILF-Palestine (ILF-P).  ILF-P will provide criminal defense services to the indigent throughout the West Bank. It currently plans to set up six offices staffed by Palestinian lawyers, who will be mentored day-in and day-out, case by case by the ILF’s expert international defense lawyers. The ultimate goal of the project is to strengthen the Palestinian criminal justice system by ensuring that all indigent Palestinians accused of crimes in the Palestinian civilian court system are provided with quality criminal defense representation.  ILF-P will begin its four-month pilot project in Ramallah on September 1, 2010. The purpose of this pilot project is to determine whether the Palestinian criminal justice system can provide better protection against arbitrary detentions and improve the fairness of trials.

Ittqan, a Ramallah-based law firm, is assisting the ILF in setting up ILF-P and coordinating its activities.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Beginning September 1, 2010, the Project Lawyer will be providing criminal defense services to the indigent in the Palestinian civil court system, at both the district court and the magistrate court levels.  The Project Lawyer will work under the mentorship of ILF international criminal defense experts. The selected candidate must be willing to advance novel criminal defense arguments and practices as allowed—but not yet tested—under the local laws. While the position is currently for four to six months, the expectation is that the person selected will have the opportunity to stay on as the ILF-P project expands.

RESPONSIBILITIES

-To provide the best possible representation to indigent criminal defense clients in a non-discriminatory manner
-To work four days per week for ILF-P for four to six months, possibly longer
-To work under the supervision and mentorship of an international criminal defense expert
-To learn and try new arguments in court and expand his or her understanding of criminal defense
-To participate in internal legal education seminars and other activities ILF-P deems necessary and important to the project
-Not to accept gifts or money from others in exchange for services rendered to ILF-P clients
-Not to use the premises of ILF-P for political activities

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Applicants must be committed to the mission of the ILF and be flexible in their approach to work. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required.
-Law degree from an accredited school
-License to practice law on the West Bank
-A minimum of 5-10 years criminal defense experience
-Good professional standing
-Strong oral and written communication skills
-Demonstrated ability to maintain attorney-client confidentiality
-Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
-Willingness to learn new theories and practices
-Proficiency in English desirable but not required
-A commitment to the ILF’s mission and goals

The International Legal Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are to send resumes and cover letters to:   [email protected] no later than May. 12. 2010. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted