Attorney, Integrated Defense Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks qualified attorneys to join our Integrated Defense Practice (IDP) to provide comprehensive legal representation to clients with concurrent criminal and family court (Article Ten) cases and/or clients with criminal cases that have resulted in them being separated from their children

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 Integrated Defense Practice (IDP) uses an interdisciplinary defense model wherein attorneys are experts in criminal justice and family regulation defense. Attorneys in IDP engage in cross-systemic advocacy providing streamlined representation for clients that leverages information across multiple court systems to provide optimal outcomes for the client while simultaneously minimizing damage to the client and their family. The client benefits from one team that seeks to achieve the best possible outcome in both the family and criminal case for the client and their families.

In Brooklyn, it is common for Criminal Court Judges to issue Orders of Protection separating families, where clients have no immediate recourse in Family Court. IDP is the natural response to a legal system that evades responsibility. By holding Judges, ACS and the DA accountable, the IDP model ensures clients have access to full due process rights.

With expertise and knowledge of both legal systems, in addition to direct representation in both criminal and family courts, the IDP attorney engages clients by providing early defense advocacy during ACS investigations, provides consultation regarding orders of protection with members of the criminal practice (Crawford Hearings), and identifies areas where clients involved in multiple systems would benefit from policy and/or legislative changes

Responsibilities

• Directly represent clients in Brooklyn Criminal Court and/or Supreme Court and in Family Court when they have cases pending in both jurisdictions and/or they face family separation.
• Prepare and litigate hearings and trials in Criminal, Family, and Supreme court with the goal of effectuating best outcomes.
• Work collaboratively on interdisciplinary case teams with social workers, investigators, paralegals and admins to provide comprehensive assistance with services and mitigation reports.
• Accept assignment to “on-call” weekday schedule responding to Integrated Defense Project referrals, providing know your rights education, consulting with the social work team, and appearing on cases in Criminal and/or Family Court where clients face family separation.
• Collaborate with other BDS staff from our mental health team, housing, and immigration practices to provide comprehensive assistance to clients.
• Meet regularly with supervisors to review caseload, discuss case strategy, and prepare for trial.
• Attend monthly team training and team staff meetings.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
• Admission to the New York Bar, or ability to become admitted in New York.
• At least two years of experience in Criminal Defense Practice or at least one year of experience in Family Defense Practice as of September 2025.
• Ability to attend September 2025 BDS Criminal Defense or Family Defense Training Class depending on experience.
• Prior litigation experience and/or interest in litigating, including litigating hearings on an emergency basis in Family Court.
• Strong core belief in client centered right to family integrity.
• Interest in cross-systemic advocacy including arguing legal issues of first impression.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
• Experience in managing multiple deadlines and emergencies in a fast-paced setting.

Position Information

This is an 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 attorneys. Attorneys are also expected to handle all their own cases in court, as well as meet with clients as needed if that results in additional days in-person. 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 $81,000-$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 submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Please submit your application by March 28, 2025.

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, Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org.