Paralegal Client Advocate, Special Litigation Unit
About The Position
The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice is seeking a Paralegal Client Advocate for their Special Litigation Unit. The Special Litigation Unit engages in civil litigation and policy advocacy to address systemic injustices affecting the Legal Aid Society’s criminal defense clients and their families. Examples of past work include federal litigation challenging the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk practices, litigation compelling arraignments within 24 hours, and policy advocacy to reform New York’s pre-trial criminal discovery and bail statutes. The Paralegal Client Advocate work will provide litigation support to the Unit’s strategic litigation in state and federal court as well as assist in coordinating the Unit’s work on a range of criminal justice policy issues. Among other duties, the Paralegal Client Advocate will be responsible for preparing and executing filings of legal documents in federal and state court; maintaining electronic and paper case files; communicating with clients, court personnel, and co-counsel; drafting correspondence and a variety of legal documents, including subpoenas, Freedom of Information Law requests, notices, and declarations; managing logistics for depositions, hearings, trials, and oral arguments, among other events; and assisting attorneys with research, case-related projects, advocacy, cite-checking, scheduling meetings, and general administrative tasks as needed.
Requirements
- Eligible candidates must have at least one of the following: A bachelor’s degree (strongly preferred) A paralegal certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program At minimum a high school diploma / GED and 4+ years of legal work experience 4+ years of combined higher education and legal work experience
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat
- Excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills
- Experience with either civil litigation or criminal justice policy
- Ability to manage time and tasks and to work independently and creatively to accomplish shared goals
- Ability to work collaboratively and develop and maintain relationships with internal and external partners
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Demonstrated interest and experience in racial and social justice or criminal defense
Nice To Haves
- Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people strongly desired
- In addition to the above, fluency in Spanish or other languages, and experience with using data-analysis software to conduct data analysis will be considered a plus.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and execute filings of legal documents in federal and state court
- Case preparation and file management on complex civil litigation in state and federal court
- Draft and serve subpoenas, Freedom of Information Law requests, other legal documents, and correspondence
- Conduct legal and policy research on a range of matters affecting Legal Aid’s clients
- Manage logistics for and support attorneys during depositions, hearings, trials, oral arguments, and other events
- Assist attorneys with case-related projects and advocacy
- Handle sensitive and confidential personal information to professional standards
- Administrative tasks and other duties as assigned
- Other duties as assigned
Benefits
- The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more.
- The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
- This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs.
- Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
