Paralegal, Women’s Defense Project, CDP

BDS; New York (NY); On-site; USD 73,000 - 78,000; 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 Paralegal to join the Women’s Defense Project within the Criminal Defense Practice in Brooklyn. The role focuses on START Act relief for trafficking survivors, working with WDP attorneys to identify eligible clients and draft motions.

The Paralegal will interview clients, gather documents, maintain files, and coordinate with prosecutors and courts. A degree or paralegal experience is required; strong organization and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• College degree or paralegal/legal assistant experience required.
• Experience preparing legal documents preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Work with WDP attorneys to identify clients eligible for START relief.
• Assist in interviewing clients and collateral contacts.
• Gather documentation for START motions.
• Draft and submit START motions to prosecutors and courts.
• Maintain accurate digital and paper files and enter data into Case Management System.
• Draft requests for documents from various agencies.
• Obtain copies of court files and dispositions.
• Follow confidentiality policies to safeguard client information.
• Request transcripts from court proceedings.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Excellent written and verbal communic

Ability to work independently and in a

Multitasking and time management

Experience with START Act or criminal 

Willingness to learn case management

Education

College degree or four years of paralegal/legal assistant experience

Tools

Adobe Pro

Microsoft 365 Suite

Job description

Salary Range: $73,000.00 To $78,000.00 Annually

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks a Paralegal to join the Women’s Defense Project within the Criminal Defense Practice.

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.

The Criminal Defense Practice represents and protects the legal rights of people who are arrested. Our staff consists of attorneys, social workers, investigators, paralegals, and administrative professionals. The Women’s Defense Project (WDP) within the Criminal Defense Practice represents female identifying clients whose history of trauma have led to their involvement in the criminal legal system.

The paralegal will focus on helping clients obtain relief under New York’s START Act. TheSTART Act- (Survivors of Trafficking Attaining Relief Together) is a New York law that allows victims of trafficking to apply via motion to the court to vacate any of their prior convictions that are related to being a victim of trafficking. The paralegal will work within the Women’s Defense Project (WDP) and closely with an attorney to identify and conduct outreach to past and current clients who may be eligible for relief under the START Act.

Responsibilities

• Work with WDP attorneys to identify past and current clients who may be eligible for START relief.
• Assist in interviewing clients and collateral contacts.
• Gather supporting documentation and information for START motions.
• Assist in drafting and submitting START motions to the appropriate prosecutor's office and court.
• Maintain accurate digital and paper files and enter information into our digital Case Management System.
• Draft and submit requests for documents and information fromvarious entities such as law enforcements agencies, hospitals, and correctional facilities.
• Obtain copies of court files and certificate of disposition from both in and out of state courts.
• Follow BDS policies regarding confidentiality to safeguard client information.
• Request transcripts from court proceedings.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• College degree or four years of paralegal/legal assistant experience.
• Experience preparing legal documents 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.
• Experience working with criminalized survivors of gender-based violence and individuals experiencing crisis preferred.
• Proficiency in Adobe Pro and Microsoft 365 Suite programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) or ability to learn these applications.
• Ability to learn BDS’ digital case management and document management systems.
• Willingness to learn about post-conviction and vacatur relief.

Position Information

This is a full-time, non-exempt, salaried position in the collective bargaining unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at Brooklyn Defenders’ offices, and in the courts located in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Defenders determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is an annual salary range from $73,000-$78,000.

• Brooklyn Defenders offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b)-retirement plan.
• In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, Brooklyn Defenders has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Brooklyn Defenders 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 Christopher Cox at ccox @ bds.org.