Paralegal II – DNA Unit

Job Description The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice has an opening for a full time Paralegal II to provide client services in the DNA Unit. The DNA Unit provides citywide support on DNA issues. All members of this citywide unit work together to develop, implement, and coordinate Society policy and litigation strategy concerning DNA matters. ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Project management, including tracking litigation deadlines (, FOIL requests, amicus briefs filings) and other deadlines (, conference registrations) Manage repository of court decisions, motion templates, experts list, master DNA Unit calendar, other materials Research and draft DNA Unit newsletter  Provide support for attorneys during hearings and trials, including obtaining trial transcripts and scientific journal articles and summarizing compiled information  Obtain and copy court files and DNA-related records Serve as a liaison between attorneys and their clients; assist clients in completing forms and releases; compile case materials for clients and experts; handle basic correspondences with experts and clients in connection with cases Coordinate and organize tasks related to DNA Unit’s annual national DNA conference, in-house and external forensic trainings Conduct standard legal research; draft policy and legal memoranda, subpoenas, and orders to produce Perform functions of Paralegal I title unrelated to the Paralegal II title, as necessary and on a temporary basis  Other duties as assigned Requirements Paralegal certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people is strongly desired Excellent writing, verbal, and organizational skills Proficiency in legal research Proficiency in computer and word processing skills Ability to work independently and in a team setting Ability to multi-task Some knowledge of New York criminal law and criminal procedures Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required SALARY AND BENEFITS The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer 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. Please visit our Careers page for additional information. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants, when and if, an offer is made. The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles. Salary Range/ Salary:  $54,975 to $79,308 OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us. HOW TO APPLY 
 All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email . As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.