Paralegal, Criminal Defense Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks a Paralegal 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 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.

The Criminal Defense Practice represents and protects the legal rights of people who are arrested. Our staff consists of attorneys, social workers, investigators, paralegals, and administrative professionals.

Under the direct supervision of the Paralegal Supervisor, the Paralegal provides a wide range of support to attorneys in the Criminal Defense Practice.

Responsibilities

• Prepare legal documents including orders and subpoenas.
• Serve legal documents including subpoenas to opposing counsel, the courts, and other agencies.
• Draft and submit requests for documents and information from various entities such as law enforcements agencies, hospitals, and correctional facilities.
• Obtain signed subpoenas and orders from NYC courts.
• Obtain copies of court files and certificate of dispositions from both in and out of state courts.
• Request transcripts from court proceedings.
• Arrange attorney/client visits and calls with clients who are incarcerated.
• Retrieve information through internal and external digital case management systems.
• Maintain accurate digital and paper files and enter information into our digital Case Management System.
• Conduct in-person court runs in the morning and the afternoon to pick-up and drop-off documents including subpoenas and orders.
• Organize, copy, and scan documents.
• Follow BDS policies regarding confidentiality to safeguard client information.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree, paralegal certificate, 2 years of finished college courses or equivalent experience in the criminal legal system.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Good written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
• Ability to take responsibility for multiple assignments at the same time, ensuring that all tasks are completed fully and timely.
• Proficiency in Adobe Pro and Microsoft 365 Suite programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) or ability to learn these applications.
• Ability to learn BDS’ digital case management and document management systems.
• Licensed as a NYS Process Server and Notary Public or willingness to obtain licenses.

Position Information 

This is a non-exempt, salaried position in the Collective Bargaining Unit. 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 3-day in person requirement for this position. The other 2 days are currently worked remotely but this could change in the future.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a base salary range of $53,955-$80,995 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. In addition, there is a $2,000 differential on top of the base pay for this position. 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 on our online application portal. Please submit your application by December 30, 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, HR Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org.