Client Advocate, Women’s Defense Project, CDP

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks a Client Advocate to join the Women’s Defense Project (WDP) 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 within the Criminal Defense Practice represents female identifying clients whose history of trauma have led to their involvement in the criminal legal system.

The Client Advocate will work closely with the WDP team to provide comprehensive support to clients throughout the legal process. The position combines client advocacy, court accompaniment, resource navigation, and legal support, with a focus on helping clients navigate complex criminal and family court systems.

Responsibilities

• Accompanying and supporting clients during court appearances.
• Assisting clients in completing and submitting crime victim’s assistance applications
• Connecting clients with appropriate social, legal, and community-based services.
• Providing support and advocacy to clients experiencing crises.
• Collaborating closely with attorneys, social workers, and other members of the WDP team to ensure clients receive coordinated and responsive support.
• Advocating for clients as they navigate criminal and family court systems.
• Accompanying clients to emergency medical care, forensic exams, appointments with service providers, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• College degree or four years of equivalent experience.
• 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.
• Willingness to make connections with and maintain relationships with services providers throughout the city.

• Proficiency in Adobe Pro and Microsoft 365 Suite programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) or ability to learn these applications.

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 and Queens. This position requires frequent travel between Brooklyn and Queens, as well as occasional travel throughout the five boroughs. Candidates will be required to accompany clients to various appointments including with medical providers, law enforcement, and service providers.

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.

Application Instructions

Click “Apply Now” to submit a cover letter and resume.

Please submit your application by November 16, 2026 .

Brooklyn Defenders is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of 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.