Pro Bono Coordinator, Pro Bono Unit

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking a Pro Bono Coordinator to join the Pro Bono 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, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty.

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.

Under the general direction of the Director of Pro Bono, the Pro Bono Coordinator will acquire and maintain knowledge of BDS’ work and services to our client population in order to aid the pro bono unit in overall functioning and output to increase resources for our clients.

Responsibilites

• • Assist and support the Director of Pro Bono with general administrative tasks as well as project coordination and management within the pro bono unit.
  • Serve as a logistical contact between the BDS staff and pro bono project contacts, pro bono law firm and corporate contacts; providing timely responses to requests for support and technical assistance.
  • Review referrals in a timely manner and in tandem with the Director of Pro Bono to assess cases for placement.
  • Perform case opening administrative tasks within BDS across practice areas and ensure that volunteers and pro bono attorneys have all relevant case and client information needed to begin a new case or project.
  • Maintain and expand BDS Egnyte folder for pro bono including organizing training materials, templates, excel tracking sheets and other resources for the pro bono unit as well as other BDS staff and volunteers working on cases with BDS.
  • Assist with the creation of materials to support pro bono attorneys, such as trainings, tips sheets, sample documents, etc.
  • In consultation with the Director, work with members of the development and communications team and other team members at BDS as needed for external documents and reports.
  • Attend and represent BDS at certain law firm, Bar Association, or local events.
  • Edit, update, and distribute information and promotional materials about pro bono at BDS.
  • In tandem with the Director, serve as a liaison between BDS development, communication and grants department to provide pro bono-related information and data necessary to support fundraising efforts and grant activities .
  • Compile pro bono data and drafting reports for funders and agency use.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience working in a public defender office or legal services office or experience working on pro bono projects.
• Experience with immigration related applications is a plus.
• Experience interacting directly with clients.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

Position Information

This is a full-time, non-exempt, salaried position in the collective bargaining unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range of $59,113 - $65,863 depending upon the applicant’s education and experience. 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

Please visit our Career Center to submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your application by August 29, 2025.

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 require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the

Director of Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org