Paralegal

DISTRICT ATTORNEY KINGS COUNTY; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kings County District Attorney’s Office (KCDA) seeks a Paralegal to assist prosecutors with criminal case discovery, file preparation, and documentation management. The role involves handling police materials, coordinating with detectives, and ensuring timely, accurate case preparation for trial and grand jury processes.

Ideal candidates are highly organized, capable of independent work, and proficient in Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Paralegal certification ABA-approved is preferred or allowed as alternative.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Receive, review, and organize felony case files and discovery materials.
• Identify missing documents from police and detectives and coordinate requests.
• Maintain a detailed log of discovery and redact sensitive information as needed.
• Upload discovery to case management systems and support grand jury processes.
• Perform related duties to assist prosecutors and case teams.

Skills

Independent work

Organized

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Verbal and written communication

Bilingual Spanish (helpful)

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Paralegal Certification (ABA approved)

Associates degree with relevant experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Kings County District Attorney’s Office (KCDA) is one of the largest prosecutors’ offices in the country and is committed to developing and implementing innovative prosecutorial strategies that will fulfill our vision of keeping Brooklyn safe while at the same time ensuring fairness and justice for all. KCDA has an exciting opportunity to work as a Paralegal. COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE - 56057

In light of the sweeping discovery reforms in New York State, our Assistant District Attorneys need more support in preparing their criminal cases. All of our cases involve fairly voluminous discovery, such as police reports, body camera footage, 911 calls, forensic files, security surveillance videos, and more. It is critical to our mission that our prosecutors obtain all the necessary discovery and securely shares the required information with the defense. New hires will assist with these important duties, and in doing so, will gain exposure to virtually every aspect of a criminal case.

Job Duties

• Receive, review, and assess the contents of felony case files.
• Identify outstanding documents from officers, detectives, and specialized units of the Police Department.
• Request missing discovery such as detective follow-ups, property vouchers, body-worn camera footage, 911 recordings, officer activity logs, surveillance video, and interview recordings. -
• Maintain a detailed log of discovery ordered and received. Send follow-up requests for outstanding discovery.
• Complete all forms used in the preparation of case folders and review files to ensure that paperwork is in order and accurately prepare any missing documents.
• Notify officers and detectives for the grand jury. Redact sensitive and personal information upon request.
• Upload received discovery into case management.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Preferred Skills

• Able to work independently, be assertive, highly organized, and detailed-oriented.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel. PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
• Ability to Multi-task and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong attention to detail is essential.
• Applicants should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and will be required to provide a spontaneous writing sample.
• The ability to be assertive and tactful in dealing with police personnel and civilian crime victims is essential.
• Organizational, time-management, including the ability to take initiative, prioritize duties and work both independently and within a team environment is a plus.
• **Bi-lingual ability in Spanish is helpful.**

Additional Information

Candidates must meet the additional requirements:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or;
• An associate degree and two to four years of full-time satisfactory work experience in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services; or
• A Paralegal Certification from a program approved by the American Bar Association.

Hours/Shift

Day Shift: 8:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M Tuesday-Saturday & Sunday-Thursday.

We appreciate the interest and thank all applicants who apply, but only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements 1. High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or 2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

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.