Public Defense Backup Center Legal Coordinator

The New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) is seeking a full-time Legal Coordinator for our Public Defense Backup Center. The Legal Coordinator supports the administrative and logistical components of Public Defense Backup Center’s legal program.

NYSDA, a not-for-profit, membership organization, has been providing support to New York's public defense community since 1967. NYSDA’s mission is to improve the quality and scope of publicly supported legal representation to people who cannot afford counsel. NYSDA supports and enhances the quality of public defense across the state of New York by providing training, publications, and case consultation for New York's public defense community through its Public Defense Backup Center, Veterans Defense Program, Public Defense Recruitment and Retention Program, and Public Defense Case Management System. NYSDA offers high-quality training to public defense attorneys, investigators, social workers, and other members of the public defense community. The Backup Center is instrumental in assisting defenders around the state to advance quality representation in criminal and family court cases.

NYSDA’s main office is in Albany, NY. The Legal Coordinator works at the Albany office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Backup Center Intakes

Act as the initial point of contact for intakes that come into the Backup Center through various methods, including email, phone, and web form.

• Enter intake information into NYSDA’s case management system and ensure that entries are completed in all relevant fields
• Coordinate with assigned attorney regarding support that may be needed, including scheduling consultations and follow-up meetings and gathering information from the person making the request

Legal Resources & Resource Building Support

In collaboration with legal staff:

• Review existing electronic resources and organizational structure
• Assess appropriate environment for electronic resources (server, SharePoint, other option) and organizational structure to ensure optimum access and use by staff
• Identify and organize new resources to add to the electronic library
• Regularly review legal resources on NYSDA’s website and provide changes and updates to the Legal Research Librarian

Project Management

• Coordinate and schedule legal staff meetings, and assist with scheduling other meetings as needed
• Take notes during meetings
• Manage, track, and follow up on tasks and projects
• Provide other administrative and program support as needed
• Create flyers and various types of documents to support the work of the legal staff

Other Responsibilities

• Support in person and remote training programs and events when needed and where appropriate, including the Annual Meeting and Conference
• Other ad-hoc tasks/projects as assigned by the Executive Director or Deputy Director

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• 2 years’ experience as a legal assistant or similar role
• Customer service experience
• Exceptional organizational skills, calendar management, and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects from beginning to end, ensuring all timelines are met
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally
• Strong sense of ownership and responsibility
• Ability to work well both independently and as a team member; willingness to pitch in where needed
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, including SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat, Canva, and other programs
• Experience administering Zoom meetings
• Proofreading experience
• Demonstrated passion for justice and interest in NYSDA’s mission to improve the quality and scope of representation to individuals who cannot afford counsel and advance equitable and racial justice.

Salary: $62,000 to $69,000 DOE. NYSDA offers a generous benefit package, including paid vacation, personal, and sick time; health, dental, and vision insurance; FSA; and 403(b).

To apply, click here. Applications without the required materials will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with an expected start date in Fall 2026.

NYSDA is an equal opportunity employer. NYSDA values diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages candidates of all identities, orientations, experiences, and communities to apply.

NYSDA offers a generous benefit package, including paid vacation, personal, and sick time; health, dental, and vision insurance; FSA; and 403(b).