Senior Paralegal – Criminal Defense Unit

Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance (voluntary)

Parking expense reimbursement

Job summary

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. invites applications for a Senior Paralegal in our Criminal Defense Unit, initially focused on felony matters. This role supports attorneys in investigation, preparation, and planning of cases, and conducts client interviews.

The position is on-site at 290 Main St., Buffalo, NY, within a mission-driven, 35-hour work week environment. We offer competitive pay ranging from $50,860 to $58,121, plus medical, dental, and vision benefits, extensive paid time off,

Qualifications

• Assists attorneys in interviewing clients, witnesses, etc. at various locations for factual information related to the case.
• Performs fieldwork as required and reviews histories, service plans, records or assessments.
• Prepares drafts of legal pleadings, motions, and orders as directed by an attorney.
• Drafts reports and correspondence and assembles necessary reports, documents, or court records.

Responsibilities

• Assists attorneys in interviewing clients and witnesses at various locations, including court detention and Mental Health facilities.
• Prepares drafts of legal pleadings and related reports.
• Obtains and assembles records and documents related to cases.
• Conducts interviews and supports case investigation and planning.

Job description

Senior Paralegal – Criminal Defense Unit

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Paralegal in our Criminal Defense Unit to initially focus on felony matters. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals in the Western New York Community.

The Senior Paralegal assists the attorneys in investigation, preparation, and planning of cases; assists in developing legal defenses and dispositional plans; makes recommendations to attorneys concerning client wishes; possesses knowledge and skill in interviewing clients. Possesses a familiarity with the applicable law, interviews clients in institutions, or other locations as necessary, prepare motions and other court documents, serves and files court papers and subpoenas; performs conflict checks, and perform general office tasks.

Given the nature of our work, this Senior Paralegal is expected to work primarily on-site from our office located at 290 Main St., Buffalo, NY.

Who are we?

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has been providing access to justice and due process to the most vulnerable individuals, children and families in the Western New York Community for over 100 years. Using a holistic approach, we provide quality, client-centered legal representation in a vast range of criminal and civil matters such as mandated criminal defense, mandated child and youth representation, consumer credit, employment, education, family, post-conviction, appeals, housing, employment, and immigration. Please visit our website to learn more.

Why Join Us?

Competitive Pay: Salary ranging from $50,860 – $58,121 commensurate with relevant experience.

Mission-Drive Culture:

• Supportive work environment
• Opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration with colleagues
• Enjoy a full-time, 35-hour work week, and build flexibility into your schedule within the parameters of our collective bargaining agreement.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
• Extensive paid time off programs– holiday,vacation, personal, sick time, and more
• Paid parenthood leaveplan.
• 401(k) retirement plan with contributions made by theLegal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. between 6 and 8 % when eligible.
• Life insurance.
• Voluntary supplemental insurance offering, which includes short-term disability, long-term disability, term life insurance plus more.
• Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, flexible spending account, and more.

Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness: Eligible for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assists attorneys in interviewing clients, witnesses, etc. at various locations, (including court detention and Mental Health facilities) for factual information related to the case.
• Performs fieldwork as required.
• Reviews and/or obtains histories, service plans, agency, medical or school records and clinical assessments of clients.
• Prepares drafts of legal pleadings, including petitions, motions, or orders, as directed by an attorney.
• Drafts and prepares related reports and correspondence.
• Obtains and assembles all necessary reports, documents, or court records relating to the case.