Entry Level Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking Entry Level Attorneys to join the Criminal Defense Practice.

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our work with clients is focused on the intersection of the legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and brown communities living below the poverty level in Brooklyn.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including housing, public benefits, education, and employment issues.

BDS’ Criminal Defense Practice zealously defends people who are accused of a crime in Brooklyn, fighting to protect the individual rights of clients’ and minimize harm from involvement with the criminal legal system. BDS’ staff consists of attorneys, social workers, investigators, paralegals, and administrative professionals who work collaboratively to bring about the best outcome for each client.

Under the direct supervision of a Supervising Attorney, attorneys directly represent clients who have been arrested and facing criminal charges. BDS provides a comprehensive training program for entry-level attorneys. This is followed by a period of time where they handle misdemeanor cases with supervision and then gradually move on to more and more serious cases.

Responsibilities

• Directly represent clients in Brooklyn Criminal and Supreme Courts from intake through dismissal, plea or trial.
• Foster strong attorney/client relationships.
• Work collaboratively on interdisciplinary case teams with social workers, investigators, paralegals and admins.
• Participate in a rotation to staff court arraignment shifts on weekdays, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Prepare for and litigate hearings and trials in Criminal and Supreme Courts, as well as collateral administrative tribunals.
• Prepare and argue written motions, argue in court regarding discovery, answer legal motions filed by the District Attorney’s office and other legal written and oral arguments in cases assigned to the attorney.
• Collaborate with other BDS staff from our housing, immigration, family defense and education practices to provide comprehensive assistance to clients.
• Meet regularly with supervisor to review caseload, discuss case strategy, and prepare for trial.
• Be an advisor to the client when decisions are made about the case.
• Meet with family members or other support networks as client requests.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree, ideally with trial advocacy, evidence, ethics, criminal law and criminal procedure courses.
• Experience in a law school clinical program or a public defense internship involving client representation is preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the public interest, as expressed by coursework, internships and extra-curricular activities.
• Excellent litigation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in a second language is a plus.

Position Information

This is a exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at BDS’s offices, and the courts located in Downtown Brooklyn. There is a three-day per week in-person requirement for all attorneys. Attorneys are also expected to handle all their own cases in court, as well as meet with clients as needed, even if that results in additional days in-person. (This generally results in more than three in-person days for most attorneys). Applicants should be aware that the in-person requirement is subject to change.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a base salary range of $80,000-$157,261 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions

Click HERE to apply by submitting a cover letter and resume addressed to Richard LaFontaine, Esq., Director of Recruiting, via our online application portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. BDS recommends submitting your application by December 31, 2024.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director of Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at  cwallace@bds.org