Administrative Assistant/Paralegal

Appellate Advocates (www.appad.org) is a nonprofit public defender organization based in lower Manhattan, providing high-quality representation to individuals convicted of crimes in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Our clients, who cannot afford legal representation, are assigned Appellate Advocates as counsel by the courts. Many of our clients are among society’s most disenfranchised and reside in diverse and predominantly Black, Brown, and immigrant communities. Our attorneys, paralegals, and support staff are dedicated to ensuring that each of our clients receives the zealous representation that anyone accused of a crime is entitled to and deserves.

Appellate Advocates is deeply committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. To this end, we seek to:

• Hire staff that reflect the full range of racial, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic identities of the communities we represent, particularly those communities disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system;
• Ensure a workplace where diversity and inclusion is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged; and
• Ensure that all staff members feel welcome, respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the organization.

Position Description: We are seeking to immediately hire an administrative assistant/paralegal who is responsible for supporting the Managing Attorney, Assistant Managing Attorneys, and other management members with administrative and clerical tasks. The responsibilities of the administrative assistant/paralegal will include, but are not limited to:

• Drafting letter responses to status inquiries from the appellate courts;
• Corresponding with unassigned and/or former clients;
• Digital and physical filing of documents, including unassigned client and court correspondence;
• Provide administrative assistance relating to our obligations as an accredited CLE provider, including creating and organizing our physical and digital CLE records, tracking CLE program dates and category of credit awarded, creating sign-in sheets, evaluation forms, and other documentation, sending calendar invites and reminders of upcoming CLE programs, and coordinating set-up of the conference rooms;
• Scheduling meetings and drafting meeting agendas for the Managing Attorney, Assistant Managing Attorneys, or other management members;
• Closing case files;
• Requesting documents, records, and/or case files from courts, prison facilities, and state/city agencies;
• Creating and maintaining internal templates and forms;
• Drafting and filing notices of appeal, notices of appearance, stipulations, and other documents;
• Other administrative/clerical tasks as needed.

Qualifications:

• Experience working in a legal office or non-profit is preferred;
• A self-directed ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks;
• Strong organizational skills and rigorous attention to detail;
• Well-developed interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access; Wordperfect; Adobe Acrobat; and NYSCEF.

Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience, with a range from $62,500 to $91,942.81. Appellate Advocates offers a generous benefits package, including health and vision insurance, a 401(k), flexible spending and transit account, and paid sick and vacation time.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2026

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references as a single PDF to apply@appad.org, referencing “Administrative Assistant 2026” in the subject line.

Appellate Advocates is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. Appellate Advocates is deeply committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce, and seeks to hire staff that reflect the full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic identities of the communities we represent, particularly those communities disproportionately affected by the criminal legal system. We strongly encourage people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.

Appellate Advocates offers a generous benefits package, including health and vision insurance, a 401(k), flexible spending and transit account, and paid sick and vacation time.

English