Appellate Advocates is not currently soliciting applications.
Appellate Advocates is not currently soliciting applications.
Appellate Advocates is not currently soliciting applications.
PARALEGAL POSITION
Appellate Advocates is a nonprofit public defender organization, based in New York City,
providing high-quality representation of individuals who have been convicted of crimes in
Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island and cannot afford private lawyers. We are a group of
attorneys from diverse backgrounds who are experienced in criminal law and believe in fighting
for every person’s constitutional right to a fair trial and in working to overturn unjust convictions
and sentences and provide other post-conviction services.
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 a paralegal to support our attorneys and
clients by undertaking administrative and clerical tasks necessary to our work. Paralegal
responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Preparing court filings by, among other things, drafting the cover, table of contents, and
affirmation of service, creating the table of authorities, formatting documents,
compiling the exhibits/records, and assembling the PDFs for electronic filing;
• Electronically filing motions, briefs, stipulations, and other documents to the courts;
• Coordinating with the mailroom to print and serve filings on the District Attorney’s
Office, our clients, and the courts;
• Requesting transcripts, records, and other documents from courts, prison facilities, and
state/city agencies;
• Scheduling legal calls or visits on behalf of attorneys and social workers;
• Proofreading and redacting documents;
• Contacting courts, prison facilities, and other organizations/agencies;
• Closing cases;
• Corresponding with clients;
• Other administrative tasks as needed.
Qualifications:
• An interest in criminal defense and social justice;
• Strong organizational skills and rigorous attention to detail;
• A self-directed ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks;
• Well-developed interpersonal communication skills;
• Bi-lingual capabilities valued;
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access; Wordperfect; and
Adobe Acrobat.
Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience, with a range from $53,711.93 to
$70,405.38. 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: September 13, 2024.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references as a single PDF document
to [email protected], referencing “Paralegal Position” in the subject line.
All employees at Appellate Advocates are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Official documentation of vaccination status must be provided to the Human Resources
Department prior to the first day of work.
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’ Direct Appeal Summer Internship Program
We are currently soliciting law students who have completed their first or second year of law school. During a ten-week program, interns will be provided with mini-trainings covering relevant law and procedure and will work closely with senior staff attorneys to issue spot, conduct legal research, and draft legal documents for a direct appeal from a trial or guilty plea case. Case assignments might also involve direct appeals involving New York’s Sex Offender Registration Act.
Appellate Advocates is deeply committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Law students who have a strong interest in appellate criminal defense work are encouraged to apply. Excellent research and writing skills are essentials. This is a volunteer, unpaid position. Summer interns are strongly encouraged to seek out and apply for grants from their school or other sources.
If you are interested in working with us, please send, in PDF form, a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and a list of 2-3 references to [email protected]. We will only contact applicants who have been chosen for an interview. We fill positions on a rolling basis and begin considering applications in September for the following summer.
Appellate Advocates’ Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA) Internship/Externship Programs
The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA), enacted in May 2019, reflects the Legislature’s commitment to shortening the prison sentences of domestic violence victims. It has two components. First, for individuals not yet sentenced, the DVSJA permits far more compassionate sentencing than its predecessor statute. Second, the DVSJA created a “look back” provision, to allow for resentencings for those already incarcerated. The DVSJA practice of Appellate Advocates handles all stages of resentencing applications as well as appeals of unsuccessful DVSJA resentencing motions and trial level DVSJA sentencings.
We are currently soliciting law students who have completed their first or second year of law school. During a ten-week program in the summer, interns will work closely with the DVSJA team on various assignments, including, but not limited to, drafting components of DVSJA motions and clemency petitions for survivors of domestic violence, in addition to aiding with investigating DVSJA claims and hearing preparation. In this role, interns will have the opportunity to visit incarcerated clients, attend hearings, and gain extensive writing experience.
Appellate Advocates is deeply committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Law students who have a strong interest in appellate criminal defense work and/or experience working with survivors of domestic violence are encouraged to apply. Excellent research and writing skills are essentials. This is a volunteer, unpaid position. Summer interns are strongly encouraged to seek out and apply for grants from their school or other sources.
If you are interested in working with us, please send your resume to [email protected] and indicate in the subject line that you are interested in the DVSJA Summer Internship Program. We fill positions on a rolling basis and begin considering applications in September for the following summer.
We also welcome externs throughout the year. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.
Appellate Advocates is not currently soliciting applications.
