Family Defense Practice Seeks Entry Level Attorney Candidates

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking Entry Level Attorney Candidates for the Family Defense team. 

BDS is a public defense office that represents low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our work with clients is focused on the intersection of the legal systems that disproportionately impact people in Brooklyn who are primarily Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) living below the poverty level.  

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 in Brooklyn. 

 BDS's Family Defense Practice (FDP) represents low-income parents in Article 10 (abuse and neglect) proceedings in Brooklyn Family Court. Our mission is to fight the removal of children from their families and advocate for families to be reunified as quickly as possible. FDP defends parents' due process rights by fighting unwarranted state intervention in their lives. Using a holistic and interdisciplinary approach, our team of attorneys, social workers and paralegals help families obtain the benefits and services they need to keep their families safe and stable. The office also advocates for systemic change in the family court and family regulation systems.  

FDP is a client-centered practice which involves a great deal of contact with clients. Attorneys spend most of their time in court proceedings with frequent hearings and trials, often on an emergency basis. Staff attorneys are expected to provide high-quality and zealous representation at all court appearances and throughout the course of a case. Our office takes a collaborative team approach to representation and attorneys work closely with supervisors, social workers, paralegals and our administrative team to provide inter-disciplinary representation.

Under the general supervision of a Supervising Attorney, attorneys collaborate with social workers, paralegals and administrative staff to provide comprehensive legal advocacy and representation to clients. 

Responsibilities 

• Engage in the direct representation of clients in Brooklyn Family Court from intake through the life of the case.
• Prepare for and litigate hearings and trials in Family Court, including emergency hearings  and other evidentiary hearings.
• Represent clients in interim appeals.
• Prepare and argue written motions to ensure timely family reunification and other client goals. 
• Collaborate with other BDS staff from other practices to provide comprehensive assistance to clients. 
• Meet regularly with assigned supervisor to review cases and discuss case strategy, prepare for trial, to help manage caseload and utilize resources of the practice, including pro bono, paralegals and Law and Appeals.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree
• Willing and able to take the New York State bar admission exam
• A strong interest in working directly with clients impacted by the family regulation system. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• An ability to work independently and to collaborate with team members, including other attorneys, social workers, and administrative staff. 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple cases, and meet deadlines on short notice. 

Position Information

This is a full-time, Exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at BDS’s offices and the courts located in Downtown Brooklyn. At the time of this posting, BDS staff are working a hybrid schedule of remote and in-person work. Applicants should be prepared to move flexibly between in-person and remote work as court and office policies change. All BDS employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or be eligible for a religious or health exemption. 

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range starting at $74,000 for a 2022 law school graduate. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b)-retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.  

Application Instructions 

Click “Apply” to submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  

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 are eligible for an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Director of Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace @ bds.org