Director of The Bronx Cannabis Hub, a Project of The Bronx Defenders

Overview

The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a Director for The Bronx Cannabis Hub, a project by The Bronx Defenders. 

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 individuals with a strong commitment to public defense to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our staff of over 400 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, family, 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. 

The Bronx Cannabis Hub 

The Bronx Defenders seeks a Director for The Bronx Cannabis Hub (the “Hub”).  Working in partnership with Bronx Defenders staff and community partners, the Hub supports the implementation of the social equity provisions of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) for justice-impacted New Yorkers.  The Hub: 

• Provides legal support in partnership with experts in cannabis law and pro bono law firms to assist candidates with the cannabis licensing process and create educational programming 

• Provides trainings and workshops covering cannabis license options, eligibility requirements, business plan creation, and the best way to open a legal licensed retail establishment 

• Organizes legislative advocacy and strategic communications to ensure that the social equity goals of the MRTA are realized 

This is a fellowship position with guaranteed funding for 12 months with the possibility of continued funding thereafter. The Director of the Hub will report to the Deputy Executive Director and work closely with the Policy Director of the Criminal Defense Practice; the Director of Community Engagement; the Pro Bono Director;; the Managing Directors of Strategic Partnerships, Policy, and Strategic Communications; and external partners to ensure successful operation of the Hub.  

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Bronx Cannabis Hub 

• Support the Hub’s CAURD Cohort: 

• Host virtual office hours to provide direct support with business planning and navigating rules and regulations. 

• Guide licensees through the initial stages of launching and running their dispensaries 

• Connect cohort members with lawyers, regulators, and community groups. 

• Along with the Director of Pro Bono, collaborate with law firm attorneys to ensure cohort members are getting necessary legal support 

• Trainings, Feedback & Program Improvement 

• Lead workshops on cannabis law and regulations 

• Invite guest speakers, including regulators, advocates, and business owners, to trainings 

• Hold one-on-one meetings with cohort members to gather feedback 

• Publish a report with results, stories, and lessons learned 

• Advocacy and Strategic Policy 

• Work with lawmakers, advocates, and state agencies to push for fair laws and policies that benefit equity cannabis businesses 

• Help organize and assist licensees with legislative advocacy, including collaboration with the CAURD cohort 

• Strategic Planning & Organizational Growth 

• Create a roadmap for the Bronx Cannabis Hub’s future 

• In collaboration with BxD leadership, explore future possibilities for the Hub  

• Recommend structure, funding, partnerships, and leadership models 

• Form a formal Advisory Board for the Hub 

• Work with the Managing Director of Strategic Communications and external communications partners to develop a strategic outreach and social media plan, create educational materials and talking points, and act as the public spokesperson for the Hub  

• Keep detailed records and data, and author and disseminate case studies and reports documenting the work of the Hub 

• Collaborate with the Director of Community Engagement to identify opportunities for collaboration with Bronx community groups to educate, engage, and advocate for Bronxites in the new cannabis industry 

• In partnership with BxD leadership and partners of the Hub, identify financial resources and strategic partnerships to enhance and advance the Hub’s work, including philanthropic organizations, academic institutions, private and corporate donors, as well as other non-profit organizations 

• Travel as needed within New York State for cannabis related advocacy 

Qualifications

To be eligible, applicants must have: 

• At least 5 years of relevant legal advocacy experience with direct experience working with community-based organizations and/or government entities on economic development initiatives including support for small business development and/or workforce development    

• Experience using data and analytics to help guide program development  

• Familiarity with the MRTA and knowledge of cannabis social equity initiatives as well as state-level regulatory frameworks 

• Project Management Experience 

Applicants must demonstrate: 

• Commitment to holistic public defense, racial justice, and legal system change with the goal of dismantling punitive carceral systems 

• Experience working in and with racially, ethnically and socioeconomically marginalized communities  

• Understanding of how systemic oppression affects marginalized communities and their experience in the criminal legal system   

• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences  

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with lawyers, non-lawyers, community members and external partners 

• Ability to effectively navigate coalition spaces, manage interests and relationships, and collaborative effectively 

• Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders while maintaining tact and diplomacy 

• Effective written and verbal advocacy skills 

• Strong legal analytical skills  

• Ability to think critically and creatively, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles 

• Ability to multitask, maintain orders and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment 

• Meticulous attention to detail 

• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters 

• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly 

• Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level 

• Experience in cannabis equity and regulation is preferred, but not required  

This is a hybrid position.  

The base salary for this position is $120,000. 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; and a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy.  

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 not within the bargaining unit. 

This position is exempt. By law, non-exempt 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. Your cover letter 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 us to consider. This information allows us to understand your distinct perspective, experience and potential beyond the work history summarized on your resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.  

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 : $120,000