Law Reform and Policy Paralegal

Job Description

Job Description

Litigation Paralegal – Civil Rights and Law Reform Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks a litigation paralegal to assist the Civil Rights and Law Reform and Federal Immigration Action teams.

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our work with clients is focused on the intersection of the legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and brown people living below the poverty level. 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 housing, public benefits, education, and employment issues. 

The Civil Rights and Law Reform unit (“Law Reform”) works across BDS’s practice areas to identify, target, and reform barriers that impede access to justice for the people BDS represents. Through strategic federal and state litigation on behalf of both classes and individual people, we challenge government actions that systematically harms the people we serve. We work closely with our Jail Services team to advocate for systemic changes to protect the constitutional and human rights of the people incarcerated in New York City jails. We also partner with BDS’s Immigration Practice to fight unlawful detention and deportation. The paralegal will assist Law Reform attorneys with litigation support, as well as jail-related advocacy. 

The Federal Immigration Action (“FIA”) team fights unlawful detention and deportation through habeas corpus petitions; challenges excessive delays and wrongful denial of immigration benefits and Freedom of Information Act requests; and brings affirmative immigration-related civil challenges seeking strategic reform that benefits BDS’s noncitizen clients. The paralegal will assist FIA attorneys with our fast-moving docket of habeas actions in U.S. District Courts and petitions for review in U.S. Circuit Courts. 

This position will report to the Director of the Civil Rights and Law Reform Practice and will also work in close collaboration with the Immigration Unit. 

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with preparation of legal documents and filings, including proof-reading, cite-checking, and preparing tables for briefs, organizing and redacting exhibits, and effectuating service. 
• Maintain accurate digital and paper files according to office protocol.
• Timely and accurately enter information into the case and document management systems. 
• Assist in tracking and organizing referrals and matters.
• Investigate factual developments and identify trends regarding BDS’ key issue areas. 
• Research and draft advocacy memos to support BDS’s advocacy and litigation priorities. 
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or experience as a paralegal. 
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written skills, including the ability to draft clear and persuasive documents.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team.
• Ability to take direction and feedback and adjust workload with agility.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and able to adapt to urgent situations.
• High proficiency in Adobe Pro and Microsoft 365 Suite programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).
• Background in social justice issue areas preferred, including the criminal legal system, detention, and immigrant justice.

Position Information

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

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position, there is a salary range of $73,000-$78,000 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. For applicants with extensive experience, the salary may be greater than the maximum range. BDS offers comprehensive benefits, including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. To support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions  

Click “Apply Now” to submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample on our online application portal. Please submit your application as soon as possible. 

Brooklyn Defender Services 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 the Managing Director, HR, Christina Wallace, at c wallace @bds.org.