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. The START 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 from various 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.
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.
Skills Required
- College degree or four years of paralegal or legal assistant experience
- Strong organizational skills
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and complete tasks fully and timely
- Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat Pro and Microsoft 365 applications, or ability to learn them
- Ability to learn digital case management and document management systems
- Willingness to learn about post-conviction and vacatur relief
- Experience preparing legal documents
- Experience working with criminalized survivors of gender-based violence and individuals experiencing crisis
What We Do
Brooklyn Defender Services is a public defense office providing free, client-centered legal representation and advocacy to people facing criminal charges, family separation, deportation, and other serious legal harms. Its interdisciplinary work spans criminal, family, immigration, and civil defense, combining attorneys and advocates with social work and related support. BDS also works in and out of court to uphold clients’ rights and challenge harmful systems affecting individuals and families.
