Legal Assistant, Family Defense Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks a Legal Assistant to join the Family 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 people 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’ Family Defense Practice (FDP) is the primary provider of legal representation for parents and caretakers who are facing an ACS investigation or prosecution in Brooklyn Family Court.

The Legal Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Manager of Paralegal and Administrative Support and provide litigation and administrative support to FDP case handlers.

Responsibilities

• Draft subpoenas and medical and education records requests and followup with hospitals, schools, and the policedepartment to obtain the records.
• Draft notice of appeals and compile necessary documents to serve and file.
• Conduct conflict checks for new clients, draft client letters, contact service providers, file and serve motions.
• Staff Family Court intake shifts,which involves conducting interviews of clients during the intake process.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degreeor relevant work experience.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to take responsibility for multiple varied tasks and organize own time to ensure all tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Prior experience working with case management systems (data entry) preferred.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility to take on a varietyof duties as needed to support the work of the team.
• Applicants who speak a second language are encouraged to apply.

Position Information

This is a full-time, non-exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at BDS’s offices in Downtown Brooklyn, primarily 195 Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 and at the Brooklyn Family Court, 330 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11021. Legal Assistants currently work three days per week in the office and two days per week from home.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience, which is visible to all employees. For this position there is a salary range of $ $53,955-$80,995 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 submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your application by 10/28/24.

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.