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About the Role
Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks rising third-year law students, judicial law clerks, and recent law school graduates for Entry Level Staff Attorney positions within its Family Defense Practice. This role involves representing low-income New Yorkers in family court matters, focusing on parents and caretakers accused of neglect or abuse, and preventing family separation.
Responsibilities
- Attend training program in Fall of 2027.
- Develop a caseload to provide comprehensive representation to parents and caretakers facing child removal from intake through case closure in Brooklyn Family Court.
- Work on an interdisciplinary team with social workers and paralegals to advance client interests.
- Handle cases from intake, generally maintaining them for their duration.
- Prepare for and litigate hearings and trials in Family Court, including emergency hearings for family reunification.
- Represent clients in interim appeals.
- Prepare and argue written motions for increased visitation, family reunification, and other client goals.
- Collaborate with other BDS practice areas (criminal, civil) to provide holistic services.
- Meet regularly with supervisor to review cases and discuss strategy.
- Attend regular trainings and meetings to build litigation skills and knowledge.
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree anticipated by September 2027.
- Must have taken the first available bar exam in NY after graduation.
- Strong desire to advocate for individuals facing family separation.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with interdisciplinary staff.
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
- Ability to work in a high-stress environment, multitask, and be flexible.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage a high-needs caseload with short notice deadlines.
Skills
- Oral communication
- Written communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Collaboration
- Independent work
- Teamwork
- Multitasking
- Flexibility
- Organization
- Caseload management
- Prioritization
Location
- Downtown Brooklyn
Work Type
- Exempt
- Salaried
- Full-time
Experience Level
- Entry Level
Education Level
- Juris Doctor (JD)
Salary/Compensations
- $99,000
Benefits
- Health insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan
- Generous vacation leave
- Generous sick leave
- Generous holiday leave
- Generous family leave
- Generous medical leave
About the Company
- 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 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 with diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs.
- In addition to 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.
Equal Opportunity
- 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, H.R., Christina Wallace, at cwallace @ bds.org.