Criminal Defense Attorney: START Act Relief

Brooklyn-Defender-Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking an attorney to join the Women’s Defense Project (WDP) in the Criminal Defense Practice. The role focuses on helping survivors obtain relief under New York’s START Act and represents women in Brooklyn courts.

The attorney will draft and submit START motions, coordinate with a paralegal, and work with interdisciplinary teams to identify eligible clients, educate staff, and advocate for relief.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree required.
• Admitted to practice in New York, or ability to become admitted.
• At least one year of legal experience in criminal defense or with survivors of gender-based violence.
• Willingness to learn post-conviction and vacatur relief.
• Compassionate, resourceful, and able to build trusting relationships with clients under pressure.
• Strong writing and legal research skills are essential.
• Excellent interviewing skills and trauma-informed understanding are key to success.

Responsibilities

• Identify past and current clients who may be eligible for START relief.
• Develop outreach tools with the WDP paralegal to notify clients about relief and eligibility.
• Interview clients and collateral contacts, gathering documentation for START motions.
• Draft and submit START motions to prosecutors and courts.
• Accompany clients to proffer sessions when requested.
• Participate in citywide START working groups.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong writing skills

Legal research skills

Interviewing skills

Trauma-informed approach

Independent work

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking an attorney to join the Women’s Defense Project (WDP) in the Criminal Defense Practice. The role focuses on helping survivors obtain relief under New York’s START Act and represents women in Brooklyn courts.

The attorney will draft and submit START motions, coordinate with a paralegal, and work with interdisciplinary teams to identify eligible clients, educate staff, and advocate for relief.