Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking a Paralegal to join the Integrated Defense Practice (IDP).
BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty.
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 for housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities.
The Integrated Defense Practice provides comprehensive legal representation to clients with concurrent criminal and family court cases and/or clients with criminal cases that have resulted in them being separated from their children
Paralegals in the Integrated Defense Practice work closely with attorneys and social workers who handle a high-volume, litigation-oriented practice. Paralegals support client’s legal cases from referrals to final dispositions and are responsible for client correspondence, court preparation, and other vital assignments including early defense advocacy.
Responsibilities
Case Management
- Maintain digital case management systems and organization of electronic files including the case transfer process when cases are transferred into IDP.
- Research, download and scan petitions, orders, calendars, transfer documents and reports from court management system databases into client folders.
- Assemble and redact documents in Adobe Acrobat.
- Organize and File petitions in person in Court or through E-Court filing systems.
- Maintain excel spreadsheets and run weekly case reports
- Provide administrative support to the team, including intake calendaring, creating trial notebooks, faxing, and photocopying.
- Draft client letters, transcript order forms, certificate of disposition forms, and contact service providers for updated court reports
- Additional responsibilities as assigned.
Litigation Support
- Draft and serve motions, petitions and other legal documents such as discovery requests through the court’s electronic filing systems
- Prepare subpoenas and accompanying notices and affirmations and serve on opposing counsel
- Interview clients and provide early defense advocacy
- Summarize transcripts, court records and hospital and mental health records
- Provide research and support for systemic policy projects
- Locate services for clients and follow up with service providers to obtain court letters
- Attend meetings and court hearings to take notes, interview clients, and perform additional tasks as assigned by the attorney
- Additional Responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree or 3+ years experience as a paralegal or equivalent 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 variety of 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 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.
BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range of $63,113 - $68,738 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 “Apply Now” to submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your application by 3/30/26.
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.
