Employment

Current opportunities

Appellate Advocates is not currently soliciting applications. 

Appellate Advocates is not currently soliciting applications.

Appellate Advocates is not currently soliciting applications.

INTAKE 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 conduct intake and screen cases. Paralegal responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:
• Creating, organizing, and maintaining the physical and electronic files for newly assigned clients;
• Entering client information into our case management system;
• Requesting transcripts, court files, and other documents from courts, the District Attorney’s Office, and other state/city agencies;
• Coordinating with mailroom staff to pick up transcripts and files from NY state courts and to print out files;
• Filing received documents and client correspondence;
• Maintaining a list of cases ready for screening;
• Screening cases by reviewing the client’s court file and transcripts to ensure completeness; and
• Other administrative and clerical duties as assigned.

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;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access;
• Bi-lingual capabilities valued.

Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience, with a range from $52,147 to $59,703. 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: rolling until filled

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references as a single PDF document to [email protected], referencing “Intake 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 is not currently soliciting applications. 

SOCIAL WORK JOB POSTING

Appellate Advocates, founded in 1995, is a not-for-profit organization that provides high quality post-conviction legal representations to individuals convicted in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Appellate Advocates’ attorneys represent clients in the Appellate Division Second Department, Court of Appeals Second Circuit, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island Supreme Court and Immigration proceedings.

Appellate Advocates’ attorneys also provide post-conviction legal representation in sex offender hearings, immigration proceedings, sex-traffic cases, and Domestic Violence Survivor Justice Act (DVSJA) cases. Appellate Advocates’ staff of attorneys, paralegals, social workers, and reentry staff, work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver client-centered holistic representation.

Appellate Advocates is accepting applications for a Social Worker position. This position reports directly to the Director of Social Work.

Responsibilities:
Work closely with team members including attorneys, paralegals, and reentry staff to advocate and support clients both in the community and who are incarcerated.
– Responsible for a caseload of clients with varying needs and case-related deadlines, ensuring timely action and intervention.
– Gathering factual mitigation through interviews and obtaining records.
– Analyzing records.
– Provide extensive mitigation reports on clients’ behalf.
– Advocate orally for clients in court.
– Make appropriate referrals to address clients’ social service needs (drug treatment, mental health treatment, housing, and other benefits).
– Conduct visits to incarcerated individuals in jails and prisons.
– Provide crisis intervention when needed.
– Provide supportive counseling as needed.
– Maintain case notes and documentation in electronic database.

Qualifications:
– Must have LMSW
– Experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma and/or IPV and those who are justice impacted.
– Ability to write persuasive mitigation reports, biopsychosocial and social work assessments.
– Must have strong analytical, organizational, and people skills.
– The ability to work as part of the defense team in a client-centered practice.
– Must have strong clinical assessment skills
– Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Spanish language fluency is preferred.

Position Information:
This is a full-time, non-exempt, salaried position. Salary is commensurate with experience based on a collectively bargained scale, with a range from $73,006.50 to $77,699.78. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at Appellate Advocates’ offices: 111 John Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10038. 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.

To Apply:
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to attention: Elia Johnson at [email protected]. All applications should include in the subject line: “Social Work Position.” Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants with disabilities may contact Elia Johnson via telephone (212-693-0085) or e-mail [email protected] to request and arrange for accommodations for submitting an application.

Deadline: April 1, 2024

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.