Attorney, Integrated Defense Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services•New York, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking qualified attorneys to join their Integrated Defense Practice (IDP). This role provides comprehensive legal representation to clients facing concurrent criminal and family court cases, or clients whose criminal cases have led to family separation. BDS is a public defense office dedicated to representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Their work focuses on the intersection of legal systems that disproportionately affect Black and Brown individuals living in poverty in Brooklyn. BDS represents thousands of individuals annually with complex legal needs, offering zealous legal defense alongside interdisciplinary teams of social workers and advocates who provide services in housing, public benefits, education, and employment. The IDP utilizes an interdisciplinary defense model where attorneys are experts in criminal justice and family regulation defense, engaging in cross-systemic advocacy. This approach streamlines representation by leveraging information across multiple court systems to achieve optimal outcomes for clients and their families, minimizing harm. In Brooklyn, criminal court judges often issue Orders of Protection that separate families without immediate recourse in Family Court. IDP addresses this by holding judges, ACS, and the DA accountable, ensuring clients have full due process rights. IDP attorneys, with expertise in both legal systems, provide direct representation in criminal and family courts, engage in early defense advocacy during ACS investigations, consult on orders of protection with the criminal practice, and identify policy or legislative changes needed for clients involved in multiple systems.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
Admission to the New York Bar, or ability to become admitted in New York.
At least two years of experience in Criminal Defense Practice or at least one year of experience in Family Defense Practice as of September 2026.
Ability to attend September 2026 BDS Criminal Defense or Family Defense Training Class depending on experience.
Prior litigation experience and/or interest in litigating, including litigating hearings on an emergency basis in Family Court.
Strong core belief in client centered right to family integrity.
Interest in cross-systemic advocacy including arguing legal issues of first impression.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
Experience in managing multiple deadlines and emergencies in a fast-paced setting.

Responsibilities

Directly represent clients in Brooklyn Criminal Court and/or Supreme Court and in Family Court when they have cases pending in both jurisdictions and/or they face family separation.
Prepare and litigate hearings and trials in Criminal, Family, and Supreme court with the goal of effectuating best outcomes.
Work collaboratively on interdisciplinary case teams with social workers, investigators, paralegals and admins to provide comprehensive assistance with services and mitigation reports.
Accept assignment to “on-call” weekday schedule responding to Integrated Defense Project referrals, providing know your rights education, consulting with the social work team, and appearing on cases in Criminal and/or Family Court where clients face family separation.
Collaborate with other BDS staff from our mental health team, housing, and immigration practices to provide comprehensive assistance to clients.
Meet regularly with supervisors to review caseload, discuss case strategy, and prepare for trial.
Attend monthly team training and team staff meetings.
Additional duties as assigned.