Litigation Assistant

Min 5 yrs required

Full-time

No

Job Title: Litigation Assistant - Criminal Defense Practice
Location: New York, NY (Citywide)
Salary Range: $60,000 - $86,577
Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Organization: The Legal Aid Society
Department: Criminal Defense Practice

The Legal Aid Society, the nation's oldest and largest social justice legal services organization, is seeking passionate and dedicated Litigation Assistants to join our Criminal Defense Practice in New York City. As the primary public defender in the city, we provide holistic, client-centered representation to over 200,000 people facing misdemeanor, felony, and homicide charges.

We are currently hiring for our newly organized Paralegal Services Unit, and are looking for individuals who are committed to advocating for low-income individuals and are interested in a career in criminal defense. The Litigation Assistant will work closely with attorneys and clients as a member of the defense team, providing critical support in all aspects of the legal process.

Responsibilities:

- Manage and organize discovery, investigation, and other case materials using applicable data management platforms
- Create spreadsheets and logs to aid in managing and organizing digital files and case information
- Review discovery to locate potential sources of evidence and notify attorneys and staff
- Assist attorneys in conducting legal research and drafting legal documents
- Act as a liaison between attorneys, clients, and other parties to provide updates and address questions
- Coordinate witnesses and assist in preparing them for trial
- Oversee the retaining and payment of expert witnesses and coordinate travel and logistics for in-person testimony
- Assist in hearing and trial preparation, including preparing trial or case notebooks and gathering documents for possible trial evidence
- Accompany attorneys to court and provide litigation support during hearings and trials
- Update case management system as needed
- Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

- Bachelor's degree preferred, or 5+ years of applicable legal experience and completion of a comprehensive in-house training course
- Experience in or commitment to advocacy for low-income individuals
- Excellent writing, verbal, and organizational skills
- Proficiency in Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, PowerPoint, and SharePoint
- Proficiency in legal research and developing legal arguments
- Proficiency in computer and electronic data management platforms, e-discovery platforms, and Microsoft Suite
- E-filing and e-discovery experience desirable
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload
- Knowledge of New York criminal law and procedures desirable
- Proficiency in languages other than English desirable, but not required

Salary and Benefits:

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package, including health insurance, paid vacation, disability and life insurance, and more. Salaries for our unionized jobs are governed by our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants when and if an offer is made.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

The Legal Aid Society is committed to building a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity, and inclusion. We are dedicated to understanding the diverse circumstances of each of our clients and meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.

Work Authorization:

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. The Legal Aid Society is unable to sponsor employment visas or permits at this time.

How to Apply:

All applications must be completed online. Please visit our Careers Page for instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email .

The Legal Aid Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and prohibits discriminatory employment actions and treatment of employees and applicants based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age, marital status, genetic information, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Not specified

Health insurance, paid vacation, disability and life insurance, loan forgiveness programs, salary transparency, diversity and inclusion initiatives

Proficiency in languages other than English preferred

Legal research, document management, case management, trial preparation, e-filing, e-discovery, written and verbal communication, organizational skills, data management, collaboration, workflow automation, advocacy, access to justice, representation, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense

Bachelor's degree preferred, paralegal certificate or 5+ years of legal experience

All applications must be completed online via the LAS Recruitment Portal. Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume as a combined PDF.

Qualification and Experience Bachelor's degree preferred, paralegal certificate or 5+ years of legal experience, knowledge of New York criminal law and procedures, proficiency in Microsoft Suite and other computer programs, proficiency in languages other than English preferred

Legal