Client Advocate / Paralegal - Justice First Project

ABOUT US

The Center for Appellate Litigation (CAL) is a leading legal services organization dedicated to providing high-quality post-conviction representation to low-income New Yorkers. We are committed to ensuring that every individual has access to fair and just legal representation in the appellate courts and in a full panoply of post-conviction litigation. Our team of dedicated attorneys, client advocates, and staff work tirelessly to advocate for our clients’ rights and uphold the principles of justice.

CAL has a cohort of committed Client Advocates (CAs) that stand on the front lines of this holistic approach to advocacy. CAs play an essential role in delivering a wealth of important services to our clients. CAs work directly with clients and are typically the first point of contact.

CAL’S JUSTICE FIRST PROJECT

CAL’s Justice First Project, established in 2002, has been at the forefront of wrongful conviction

investigation and litigation. We seek a paralegal as a central team player to advance our mission of detecting, investigating and overturning wrongful convictions as early in the post-conviction process as possible. More information about the project can be found on CAL’s website: https://appellate-litigation.org/Justice-First

POSITION OVERVIEW

All CAs are responsible for carrying a client caseload, corresponding with clients via legal calls, in-person visits, and mail – typically as the first point of contact. This role also entails:

• Collaborating with attorneys, speaking with family members, and other community supporters;
• Research and fact investigation, including finding witnesses and conducting interviews;
• Document collection, FOIL requests, and online research;
• Organizing files for legal proceedings;
• Creating electronic documents for filing; and
• Maintaining in-house tracking systems.

Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat, the Microsoft Office suite of products, and Westlaw is not a prerequisite, but the ability and willingness to learn such skills is required.

The CA program is coordinated by CAL’s Holistic Advocacy Supervisor and CAs are supervised by their individual practice or project directors. The ideal applicant will remain in the CA position for at least two years.

CAs are members of the bargaining unit.

QUALIFICATIONS

• prior paralegal experience;
• Spanish fluency preferred;
• ability to manage an independent caseload;
• commitment to CAL’s mission statement and client-centered advocacy;
• deep understanding of the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and commitment to cultivating a culture rooted in anti-racism;
• ability to independently exercise good judgment and keep sensitive information confidential;
• strong written and oral communication skills;
• an ability to work with and organize data;
• an ability to write creatively, persuasively, and strategically;
• strong organizational skills and a diligent work ethic;
• empathy and respect for people who have been convicted of serious offenses;
• strong interpersonal skills, especially in the face of crisis or disagreement;
• experience serving and/or advocating for disenfranchised communities;
• exceptional problem-solving skills with the emotional intelligence to work effectively with people from all backgrounds;
• ability to work closely with attorneys, and the cohort of client advocates, as well as independently; and
• a willingness and ability to work within the dehumanizing environments of prisons, jails, and detention facilities.

LOCATION

The position is based at CAL’s New York City office. CAL has a hybrid remote office policy and CAs are permitted to work remotely 8-10 days per month.

SALARY

Salary will be based on experience and will range from $55,620 those with one year of experience up to $62,315 for applicants with three years of experience. CAL offers comprehensive medical benefits, a retirement account, and generous vacation time, holidays, personal, and sick days.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

At CAL, we embrace and value our staff’s diversity, recognizing that our differences strengthen our community and advance our mission. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, orientations, experiences, and communities to apply. CAL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, arrest or conviction record, caregiver status, citizenship status, color, credit history, creed, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, marital status, partnership status, pregnancy, race, religion, salary history, sexual and reproductive health decisions, sexual orientation, status as a covered veteran or active military service member, or status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, and sex offenses in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.