Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking a Pro Bono Coordinator to join the Pro Bono Unit.
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 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 Pro Bono Unit develops and manages partnerships with law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and volunteer attorneys to expand legal services for BDS clients across the organization. Working collaboratively with attorneys, professional staff, and external partners, the unit coordinates volunteer representation, develops pro bono projects, supports trainings and legal clinics, and helps increase access to high-quality legal services for BDS clients.
Reporting to the Director of Pro Bono, the Pro Bono Program Administrator provides the administrative and operational support that keeps the Pro Bono Unit running efficiently. The Administrator coordinates day-to-day operations, supports internal and external partnerships, maintains unit systems, and helps ensure that volunteer attorneys have the information and resources they need to effectively support our clients and work.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys bringing order to projects, building professional relationships, improving organizational systems, and supporting mission-driven work. The role begins with a strong administrative and operational focus while offering opportunities for increased responsibility and professional growth over time.
Key Responsibilities
Program Operations
- Provide day-to-day administrative and operational support for the Pro Bono Unit.
- Coordinate calendars, meetings, trainings, legal clinics, and unit events.
- Maintain organized electronic files, shared drives, templates, and internal resources.
- Track deadlines, monitor ongoing projects, and help ensure work moves forward efficiently.
- Identify opportunities to improve administrative processes and organizational systems.
Pro Bono Matter Coordination
- Coordinate the administrative aspects of pro bono matters from referral through placement.
- Prepare new matters by coordinating case-opening procedures and ensuring volunteer attorneys receive necessary information and materials.
- Maintain accurate tracking systems for active matters, volunteer participation, and program activity.
- Assist with conflict-check and matter-opening processes, as needed.
Volunteer & Partnership Support
- Work with Director of Pro Bono to serve as a support to volunteer attorneys, law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and BDS staff.
- Facilitate communication between BDS attorneys and volunteer attorneys where needed.
- Support the Director in volunteer onboarding and coordinate the distribution of training materials, templates, and practice resources.
- Help cultivate positive relationships with external pro bono partners through responsive and professional communication.
Communications, Events & Reporting
- Coordinate logistics for volunteer trainings, legal clinics, appreciation events, and meetings with external partners.
- Prepare, edit, and distribute newsletters, volunteer opportunities, training materials, tip sheets, and other program resources.
- Compile participation data and assist with reports for leadership, funders, grants, and external partners.
- Collaborate with Development, Communications, Finance, Human Resources, and other BDS departments on projects involving the Pro Bono Unit.
- Represent BDS at selected law firm, bar association, and community events.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate is exceptionally organized, enjoys supporting complex projects behind the scenes, communicates professionally with a wide range of stakeholders, and takes pride in producing accurate, high-quality work. Successful candidates are proactive, dependable, adaptable, and enjoy creating systems that help teams work more effectively.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
- 1 or more years of professional experience (including internships) in an administrative, program coordination, project management, legal, nonprofit, or related setting.
- Outstanding organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to build positive working relationships.
- Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy.
- Excellent judgment and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and comfort learning new technology platforms, databases, and document management systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a legal services, public interest, nonprofit, law firm, court, or other mission-driven professional environment.
- Experience coordinating volunteers, professional programs, events, or multi-stakeholder projects.
- Experience with immigration-related USCIS applications is a plus but not required.
- Spanish language proficiency is a plus.
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.
BDS determines salary based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range from $67,000 - $70,000 with the possibility for more than the top part of the range for applicants with extensive experience. BDS also offers comprehensive benefits including health and dental insurance, short-term disability and life insurance, a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution, pre-tax commuter benefit, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, and above-average 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 8/15/2026.
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, H.R., Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org.
