Assistant District Attorney: Fall 2027 Class

QDAO - Attorney; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Three-year commitment

Job summary

The Office of the Queens County District Attorney is now accepting applications for the Fall 2027 Assistant District Attorney class in the Legal department. The program begins on September 7, 2027, and includes a rigorous training sequence in criminal law and ethics, followed by rotational assignments across Intake, Criminal Court or Domestic Violence, and Appeals.

ADAs gain immediate courtroom experience and ongoing professional development, with opportunities to advance to a Felony Trial

Qualifications

• Courses in Criminal Procedure I & II, Evidence, and Trial Advocacy.
• Experience with trial teams or competitions.
• Strong academic performance and ranking in top half.

Responsibilities

• Complete rigorous training in criminal law and procedure and ethics.
• Rotate through Intake, Criminal Court or Domestic Violence, and Appeals.
• Gaining courtroom experience with arraignments, calendar calls, hearings and trials.
• Potential move to Felony Trial Bureau and field investigations under supervision.
• Participation in events with Community Partnerships Division.

Skills

Trial experience

Internships

Clinics

Moot Court Competitions

Education

Criminal Procedure I

Criminal Procedure II

Evidence

Trial Advocacy

Top half of class

Job description

Job Details

Title: Assistant District Attorney: Fall 2027 Class

ID: 1501

Location: Kew Gardens, NY

Department: Legal

Job Type: Entry‑level

Overview

The Office of the Queens County District Attorney is currently accepting applications for our Fall 2027 Class. The Fall 2027 Class begins on September 7, 2027.

There is no more important position available to law graduates than that of Assistant District Attorney. The Office, led by District Attorney Melinda Katz, is seeking talented and motivated law students and attorneys. The ideal candidate will share her commitment to fair and just prosecutions, while assuring the safety of all those in Queens. The District Attorney is dedicated to combating violent crime and keeping our communities safe while embracing new, innovative approaches to criminal justice.

Responsibilities

Entry‑level Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) will begin with an initial rigorous training program in criminal law and procedure, as well as ethics. After completing this program, ADAs will enter a rotation of entry‑level bureaus, including:

• Intake
• Criminal Court or Domestic Violence
• Appeals

Each of these entry‑level bureaus gives ADAs immediate courtroom experience, including arraignments, calendar calls, misdemeanor hearings and trials. ADAs will receive continuous training in criminal law and advocacy. Many assignments include evening, weekend and holiday responsibilities.

After completing this rotation, ADAs are encouraged to move to a Felony Trial Bureau, which may include dynamic riding responsibilities at crime scenes, conducting line‑ups, and pre‑arrest investigations under the direction and supervision of top‑notch career prosecutors. Through career counseling, the Office is committed to producing well‑rounded prosecutors and ADAs may eventually advance to more senior bureaus within one of our divisions. All entry‑level prosecutors participate in events with our Community Partnerships Division.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant Law School Classes: Criminal Procedure I and II, Evidence, Trial Advocacy
• Relevant Experience: Trial Team Competitions; Internships; Clinics; Moot Court Competitions
• Academically Ranked in the Top Half of Class

Application Process

The process to apply to be an Assistant District Attorney is set forth in detail, including FAQs, on our Career webpage: https://queensda.org/careers/.

Salary & Benefits

Entry‑level salary is $85,000; upon admission to the New York State Bar, the salary is $90,000. The comprehensive benefits package includes health insurance, 401(k) and more. A three‑year commitment to serve in the Office is also required. Pursuant to Public Officers Law Section 3(1), United States citizenship is required of all Assistant District Attorneys upon commencement of their employment, as is New York State residency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy. As a current or prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. Please review the notice to see if you may be eligible for programs and how to apply at nyc.gov/studentloans.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter addressed to the Director of Legal Hiring, Courtney Finnerty.