WHAT IS OAD?
OAD is a long-time provider of high quality representation for the poor.
The Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD) is a not-for-profit organization that has been providing high quality appellate and post-conviction representation to indigent persons since 1988. OAD also fills an important need in the criminal justice system by training new and relatively inexperienced lawyers in the practice of client-centered appellate advocacy. Other than The Legal Aid Society, OAD is New York City's longest-standing institutional indigent defense office and oldest provider of appellate representation to indigent persons convicted of felonies.
OAD is successful.
Once their appeals are heard, some ten to fifteen percent of OAD clients are found to have been wrongly convicted or sentenced to unduly harsh prison terms.
OAD is unique.
Each year, OAD hires a diverse group of outstanding and committed lawyers for staff attorney positions. All staff attorneys participate in OAD's comprehensive training program, which focuses on appellate advocacy, client relations, procedural and substantive criminal law, and New York practice. As part of OAD's unique training model, both the staff attorney and the supervisor read the entire record and the staff attorney receives intense supervision in all aspects of the case.
OAD promotes pro bono opportunities.
Through its Volunteer Appellate Defender Program (VAD), OAD offers opportunities for associates at many of New York City's private law firms to handle an appeal pro bono under OAD supervision. All volunteers participate in a comprehensive CLE-accredited training program and work closely with an OAD supervisor.