Administrative Assistant, Integrated Defense Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking an Administrative Assistant to join the Integrated Defense Practice (IDP).

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.

The Integrated Defense Practice provides comprehensive legal representation to clients with concurrent criminal and family court cases and/or clients with criminal cases that have resulted in them being separated from their children

The Administrative Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Attorney in Charge of the Integrated Defense Practice in consultation with the Director of the Integrated Domestic Violence Practice within IDP.

Responsibilities

• Open, update and close cases in our digital case management systems.
• Check the case management system for potential conflict of interest when new clients are assigned to IDP.
• Maintain organization of electronic files assisting with transfer case and uploading documents.
• Research, download and scan petitions, orders, calendars and reports from court management system databases into client folders.
• Assemble and redact documents in Adobe Acrobat.
• Organize and File petitions in person in Court or through E-Court filing systems.
• Maintain excel spreadsheets and run weekly case reports.
• Provide administrative support to the team, including intake calendaring, creating trial notebooks, faxing, and photocopying.
• Draft client letters and contact service providers for updated court reports.
• Attend Court to take notes when requested.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to take responsibility for multiple varied tasks and organize own time to ensure all tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Prior experience working with case management systems (data entry) preferred.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility to take on a varietyof duties as needed to support the work of the team.
• Applicants who speak a second language are encouraged to apply.

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. The position is based at BDS’s offices, and the courts located in downtown Brooklyn. The Administrative Assistant is required to be in the office 5 days per week.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience, which is visible to all employees. For this position there is a salary range of $53,995-$60,445 depending on 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 7/11/25.

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