Policy and litigation paralegal civil rights and law

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks a paralegal to assist the Civil Rights and Law Reform and Policy & Advocate units.

BDS is a public defense office representing 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 Black and brown people 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 housing, public benefits, education, and employment issues.

The Civil Rights and Law Reform unit (“Law Reform”) works across BDS’s practice areas to identify, target, and reform barriers that impede access to justice for the people BDS represents. Through strategic federal and state litigation on behalf of both classes and individual people, we challenge government actions that systematically harms the people we serve. We work closely with our Jail Services team to advocate for systemic changes to protect the constitutional and human rights of the people incarcerated in New York City jails. We also partner with BDS’s Immigration Practice to fight unlawful detention and deportation.

BDS’ Policy & Advocacy team harnesses legal expertise and experience to advocate for change at city, state, and national levels in legal systems that affect the people BDS serves. We work to amplify the voices of public defenders and the people we serve who are impacted by these legal systems.

This position will report to the Director of the Civil Rights and Law Reform Practice and will work in close collaboration with the Policy & Advocacy unit.

Responsibilities

• Under attorney supervision, conduct legal, media, and factual research to support the Policy & Advocacy team’s priorities and the Law Reform team’s litigation.
• Investigate factual developments and identify trends regarding BDS’ key issue areas.
• Draft advocacy memos and written testimony and comments for BDS to submit to the city council, state legislature and other agencies.
• Assist Law Reform attorneys with preparation of legal documents and filings, including proof-reading and cite-checking briefs, organizing and redacting exhibits, and conducting service.
• Maintain accurate digital and paper files according to office protocol.
• Timely and accurately enter information into the case and document management systems.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
• 2+ years of experience working in a policy, governmental, or legal-related field or equivalent experience.
• Excellent written skills, including the ability to draft clear and persuasive documents.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team.
• Ability to take direction and feedback and adjust workload with agility.
• Excellent time management and task triage skills.
• High proficiency in Adobe Pro and Microsoft 365 Suite programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).
• Fluency in a second language preferred.

Position Information

This is a full-time, non-exempt, salaried position in the collective bargaining unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday, 9 am-5 pm. The position is based at BDS’ offices in Downtown Brooklyn.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position, there is a salary range of $63,113-$68,738 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits, including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. To support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions

Click “Apply Now” to submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample on our online application portal. Please submit your application by October 31, 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 Managing Director, HR, Christina Wallace, at [email protected].