The Bronx Defenders (BXD) - an innovative, progressive, holistic defense office in the South Bronx- seeks a thoughtful, creative, and energetic individual to fill a position as a Family Defense Practice Court Liaison.

Overview

The Bronx Defenders is a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system, and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. BxD seeks thoughtful, creative, energetic individuals with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our staff of over 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, who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, we have developed a groundbreaking, nationally-recognized model of representation called holistic defense that achieves better outcomes for the people we defend.

Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, child welfare, 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 change at the local, state, and national levels. We take what we learn from the people we represent and communities that we work with and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change.

Family Defense Practice

The Bronx Defenders’ Family Defense Practice (FDP) provides legal representation and social work support to parents charged with child abuse and neglect who are at risk of losing custody of their children. Our Family Defense Practice is at the forefront of a movement to provide holistic representation to parents in the Bronx while creating long-term solutions for the reunification and stability of families. Our Family Defense Practice represents over a thousand new parents each year and receives new clients five days a week. Parents appearing in Bronx Family Court are often in crisis and facing the loss of what is most important to them in the world: their children. The Bronx Defenders seeks to provide parents with a calm, confidential space away from the chaos of the crowded courthouse where they can connect with a committed legal team. The court office serves as a space for over 50 attorneys and advocates on any given day to work, strategize and seek support from one another as they work to advocate for parents.

Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Legal Administrative Manager of the Family Defense Practice, the FDP Court Liaison will manage the court office and be responsible for providing information and support to the parents represented by our office.

Support the People We Represent Navigating Bronx Family Court

● Greet and assist parents in navigating the courthouse

● Notify lawyers and advocates when the people they represent have arrived

● Explain the intake process to parents arriving for their first appearance at Bronx Family Court

● Address the non-legal concerns of parents and help answer any questions they may have about family court

● Connect parents to support and resources at The Bronx Defenders

● Provide translation services/coordinate with court translators

● Provide notary services to the people we represent, attorneys and advocates

Liaise between The Bronx Defenders and Bronx Family Court

● Respond to inquiries by the Court regarding the whereabouts of Bronx Defenders attorneys

● Manage case coverage for emergencies and attorneys who are double booked

● Manage the intake process by ensuring that intake attorneys know about new petitions

Manage Intake and Information Management

● Communicate with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and our intake team regarding the number of petitions and parents expected to come to court

● Check for potential representation issues by running the names and dates of birth of potential new clients in our case management system and notifying the intake supervisor when any potential conflicts arise

● Electronically open new cases in our case management system, PIKA

● Ensure that all new cases for the month are entered in a timely fashion so that monthly reports can be submitted on time

● Create Discovery and Demand Motions

● Create affidavits of service for discovery and demand motions served on adversaries

● Enter all ancillary petitions including visitation, custody, and termination of parental rights in our case management system

Provide Administrative Support

● Answer the office phone

● Ensure that the office is furnished with office supplies

Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate:

● Commitment to supporting the work of advocates who defend parents in abuse and neglect proceedings

● Experience working in and with racially, ethnically and socioeconomically marginalized communities

● Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences

● Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers

● Strong written and verbal communication skills

● Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment

● Meticulous attention to detail

● Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles

● Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly

● Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters

● Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level

Preferred, but not required:

● Spanish fluency

This is a fully in-person position that will require in-person work and contact with staff and community members. As of October 29, 2021, all city-funded employees with any potential of in-person contact with community members or staff are required to show proof of full vaccination. You can find more details regarding this mandate here. Please let us know if this presents an issue.

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit.

This position is non-exempt. By law, nonexempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.

Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 1-5 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $51,592 - $56,732. 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; and a professional development fund. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided when and if an offer is extended.