Discovery Paralegal Queens Criminal Practice

BDS; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Generous vacation and leave policies

Job summary

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks a Discovery Paralegal to join our Criminal Defense Practice in the Queens Office.

The Discovery Unit supports attorneys by reviewing discovery under New York’s Kalief's Law, organizing electronic files, and providing hearing/trial assistance. Strong communication and teamwork are essential as is the ability to manage multiple assignments.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree, paralegal certificate, or equivalent experience.
• Experience as a paralegal or with discovery in NY criminal cases preferred.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Adobe Pro and Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel) or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Familiarize with New York discovery reforms and NYPD documents.
• Conduct full, detailed reviews of discovery on assigned cases.
• Compose memoranda summarizing discovery and identifying missing items.
• Provide discovery-focused hearing and trial support to attorneys.
• Manage and organize electronic discovery files.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Organizational skills

Written and oral communication

Independent and team work

Multitasking / time management

Adobe Pro proficiency

Microsoft 365 Suite proficiency

Education

Associate’s degree

Paralegal certificate

2 years of college courses or equivalent work experience

Tools

Adobe Pro

Microsoft 365 Suite

Job description

Discovery Paralegal Queens Criminal Practice

Full Time Queens-Forest Hills

4 days ago Requisition ID: 1390

Salary Range: $73,000.00 To $80,000.00 Annually

Discovery Paralegal, Queens Criminal Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking a Discovery Paralegal to join our Criminal Defense Practice in the Queens Office.

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.

BDS’ Criminal Defense Practice zealously defends people who are accused of a crime in Queens, fighting to protect the individual rights of clients and minimize harm from involvement with the criminal legal system. BDS’ staff consists of attorneys, social workers, paralegals, and administrative professionals who work collaboratively to bring about the best outcome for each client. Our Discovery Unit provides support to attorneys in reviewing and analyzing evidence provided by the prosecution under New York’s landmark discovery reform statute known as Kalief's Law.

Responsibilities

• Gain familiarity with New York’s historic discovery reforms and documents regularly produced by the NYPD.
• Conduct full and detailed reviews of discovery on assigned cases.
• Compose memoranda summarizing received discovery and detailing missing discovery.
• Provide discovery-focused hearing and trial support to attorneys.
• Manage and organize electronic discovery files.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree, paralegal certificate, 2 years of finished college courses or equivalent work experience.
• Prior experience as a paralegal or with discovery in New York criminal cases is preferred.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Good written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
• Ability to take responsibility for multiple assignments at the same time, ensuring that all tasks are completed fully and timely.
• Proficiency in Adobe Pro and Microsoft 365 Suite programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) or ability to learn these applications.

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 Queens Office.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range of $73,000 - $80,000 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. BDS supports work/life balance with family-friendly policies including generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidatesof 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, Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace @ bds.org.