The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a passionate advocate with a commitment to social justice to join our Criminal Defense Practice as a Legal Advocate.

Overview

The Bronx Defenders is a public defender non-profit that works to radically transform how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal systems. BxD seeks thoughtful, creative, energetic individuals with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our staff of almost 400 includes interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, benefits specialists, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, organizers, mentors, a communications specialists who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, we have utilized a groundbreaking, nationally-recognized model of representation called holistic defense that achieves better outcomes for our clients.

Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, family regulation systems, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. Through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing, we push for systemic reform at the local, state, and national level. We take what we learn from the clients and communities that we serve and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change.

Role and Responsabilites

The Criminal Defense Practice (CDP) at The Bronx Defenders consists of over 150 attorneys, investigators, social workers, practice associates, and administrators who provide comprehensive criminal defense representation to people in the Bronx facing police and criminal legal system involvement. CDP attorneys, advocates, and administrators collaborate on interdisciplinary holistic teams to identify and address issues that contribute to our client’s ensnarement in the criminal system and the enmeshed consequences that arise out of their contact with the system. With a client-centered approach, our CDP attorneys strive to gain a deeper understanding of our clients’ circumstances and priorities. Armed with that understanding, they fight for our client’s desired outcomes by strategically raising personalized, persuasive arguments in mitigation, negotiations, and litigation.

The Bronx Defenders seeks one or more CDP Legal Advocates to support and advance the work of the Criminal Defense Practice. Working closely with the Criminal Defense Practice attorneys and advocates, the Legal Advocates will assist with a variety of tasks including but not limited to discovery review and organization, and client coordination. The CDP Legal Advocate will work under the guidance of the CDP Training Director and report to the Legal and Administrative Director.

Partner with attorneys and other advocates to assist in the representation of clients charged with a misdemeanor and felony offenses, from pre-arraignment through disposition or trial, including, but not limited to:
Assisting with organization and review of discovery materials
Transcribing 911 calls, video statements, and other electronic records
Requesting case-related records (e.g. medical records, case records, drafting subpoenas) and following up to obtain and organize them
Assist with preparing trial exhibits, including demonstrative exhibits
Follow up with clients, outside agencies, and programs to support CDP attorneys in the course of client representation (e.g. checking in with clients in advance of court dates, assisting clients with questions related to driver’s license reinstatement, contacting Bronx Community Solutions regarding court-ordered assessments, and programming)
Assist with organizing and filing complex litigation cases
Assist clients with the retrieval of property withheld by the government and preserving their rights regarding police misconduct (e.g., filing notices of claim, etc.)

Qualifications

To be eligible, applicants must have at a minimum:

one year of relevant lived or professional experience or
paralegal certificate or
Associates Degree

Applicants must demonstrate:

Passion for holistic public defense and racial justice
Experience working in and with racially and socioeconomically marginalized communities targeted by carceral systems
Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate, and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities, and experiences
Effective organization, time management, and problem-solving skills
Ability to multitask effectively and work well under pressure while adhering to stringent deadlines
Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles
Meticulous attention to detail
Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers
Strong verbal and written advocacy skills
Ability to receive critical feedback constructively, reflect, and shift behavior accordingly
Good judgment in zealous advocacy and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of clients
Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level

The following qualifications are preferred, but not required:

Strong knowledge of MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Fluency or high-level proficiency in Spanish

Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 1-5 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $50,310 - $55,080. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided when and if an offer is extended.