Litigation Support Paralegal, Homicide Unit

Brooklyn Defender Services•New York, NY

1d•$63,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking experienced professionals with advanced computer, paralegal, and organizational abilities for the position of Litigation Support Paralegal in the Homicide Unit. 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 is focused on the intersections of 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. The Homicide Unit utilizes a team approach in client representation, with an attorney, investigator, and social worker assigned from the inception of the case who conduct regular team strategizing and information gathering sessions. The unit as a whole works very closely together to leverage the expertise of its attorneys and staff. As a member of homicide litigation teams, the Litigation Support Paralegal will be responsible for providing a full range of litigation support services in all aspects of litigation and trial work.

Requirements

Detail-oriented multitasker with an aptitude for noticing details, creating systems and structures to efficiently advance work, and keeping track of multiple priorities and deadlines at once.
Vigilance when working with very sensitive and privileged information including the ability to treat such information with the security and care it requires.
A team player with ability to work effectively in a high stakes environment as well as step on when urgent matters arise.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with E-discovery management software (e.g. Everlaw, Relativity)
Familiarity with Presentation software (e.g. PowerPoint)
Familiarity with Trial presentation software (e.g. TRIAL DIRECTOR)
Familiarity with Media player software (e.g. VLC media player)

Responsibilities

Work with attorneys and investigators in all aspects of case preparation, including the discovery phase, evidentiary hearings, trials, and sentencings.
Serve as a discovery manager to assist homicide litigation teams to best utilize tools for hosting, organizing, managing, reviewing, and analyzing electronic and paper discovery, and for producing case materials for litigation and trial presentation.
Process, organize, index, and format discovery so that homicide litigation teams can use it for case preparation, hearings, trials, and mitigation.
Summarize evidence for homicide litigation teams.
Prepare demonstrative evidence and exhibits for pleadings, hearings, and trials.
Be available for last-minute assistance related to hearings, trials, and other case appearances on an occasional basis for cases the paralegal has been working on.
Additional duties as assigned.