The Criminal Defense Practice has an opening for a full time Paralegal II to provide client services in the Digital Forensics Unit. Members of the Digital Forensics Unit are the Society’s in-house experts in digital forensics matters and provide support for Criminal Defense Practice attorneys and other defense attorneys. The Digital Forensics Unit currently consists of three Analysts, two Senior Analysts, five Staff Attorneys, and one Director. The Unit Paralegal II will work closely with the other members of the Digital Forensics Unit on the Unit’s casework. In addition to direct case work, this citywide unit also develops, implements, and coordinates Society policy and litigation strategy concerning digital forensics matters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Schedule appointments and meetings
• Prepare meeting notes and agendas
• Handle requests for assistance from the Unit
• Organize and summarize case transcripts and decisions
• Aid in researching for and drafting the Digital Forensics Unit newsletter (Decrypting a Defense)
• Arrange and help prepare CLEs, trainings, and presentations
• Draft legal memoranda, pre-trial motions, and subpoenas
• Serve as a liaison between clients, DFU attorneys, DFU analysts, and other Society staff
• Research, digest, and outline case records (e.g. search warrant returns, subpoena results, etc.)
• Interview and assess client requests for services
• Assist with case preparation for trial and disposition
• Prepare written reports summarizing information compiled
• Obtain and copy court files
• Serve subpoenas and other legal documents
• Handle client and agency correspondence in connection with cases
• Interact with clients and assist clients in completing forms and releases; refer clients to outside agencies; and handle basic correspondence with clients
• Perform functions of Paralegal I title unrelated to the Paralegal II title, as necessary and on a temporary basis
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Eligible candidates must have at least one of the following:
• An associate degree (or additional higher education)
• A paralegal certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program
• A high school diploma / GED and 4+ years of related work experience, at least 2 of which are as a paralegal
• Excellent writing, verbal, and organizational skills
• Proficiency in legal research
• Proficiency in computer and word processing skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting
• Ability to multi-task

Preferred qualifications:  

• Knowledge of New York criminal law and criminal procedures is preferred
• Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people is preferred
• Interest in technology is preferred
• Proficiency in a language other than English is preferred

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $57,174 – $87,568

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.

Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.

studentaid.gov

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY


All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:

• Cover Letter
• Resume 

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jo**************@*******id.org.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us and our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.