Legal Assistant, Criminal Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services seeks a Legal Assistant to join the Adolescent Team in the Criminal Defense Practice in the Jamaica Queens office.

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 multifaceted 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, administrative professionals, and clerical staff.

Responsibilities

• Open, update, and close cases in our digital case management system.

• Answer phones and route callers to the appropriate person or unit to assist them.

• Mail client letters, scan mail, assemble and redact documents in Adobe Acrobat.

• Draft medical and education records requests and follow up with hospitals, schools, and the police department to obtain the records.

• Conduct conflict checks for new clients, draft client letters, and contact service providers to obtain letters for clients.

• Assist with court filings in person at Family Court.

• Follow BDS policies regarding confidentiality to safeguard client information.

• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• College degree or four years equivalent work experience.

• Strong organizational and administrative skills.

• Good oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to take responsibility for multiple varied tasks and organize own time to ensure all tasks are completed accurately and on time.

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.

• Prior experience working with case management systems (data entry) preferred.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to work independently and in a team setting and in an interdisciplinary unit that works together to forward the goals of the client and the case.

• Proficiency in a language other than English is a plus.

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’s offices in Queens and the courts in Jamaica.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position, there is a base salary range of $69,000-$74,000 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. 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 and resume. Please submit your application by November 6, 2026.

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 Associate Director, HR, Christopher Cox, at ccox @ bds.org.