• Job Description

  Req#: 5001045183200

  Job Title

  Paralegal Casehandler - Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA)

  Deadline is 3:00 PM EST for Date Listed

  Jul 9, 2024

  Job Description

  The Criminal Appeals Bureau (CAB) of The Legal Aid Society is the largest post-conviction public defender in New York City, annually providing holistic, client-centered representation to over 1,000 people with misdemeanor, felony, and homicide convictions. We represent low-income people in all five boroughs who are challenging their criminal convictions on appeal or in other post-conviction proceedings. Our practice includes direct appeals of judgment convictions as well as collateral litigation such as 440 motions, Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act resentencing applications, and Sex Offender Registration Act hearings and appeals.

  CAB is seeking a dedicated and passionate Paralegal Case Handler to support our Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA) practice. DVSJA, Criminal Procedure Law § 440.47, enables survivors of domestic violence who meet certain criteria to apply for a reduction in their prison sentences. The DVSJA Paralegal Case Handler would participate in the DVSJA intake and investigation process, including collecting, organizing, and analyzing documents and communicating with clients and their families. They would also summarize potential cases and make an initial assessment regarding the viability of DVSJA claims. For cases that proceeded, the Paralegal Case Handler may also investigate in the field, contacting witnesses, collecting affidavits, and conducting legal research, and assist in preparation for hearings. Responsibilities may also include supporting clients’ parole appearances and reentry, as needed.

  ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Participate in the DVSJA intake process
  • Investigate and help develop DVSJA motions for resentencing
  • Collect, organize, and review court and other records to be used in DVSJA resentencing motions
  • Communicate with clients and identify areas of investigation
  • Identify and interview witnesses and draft affidavits
  • Conduct legal and social science research
  • Attend internal DVSJA meetings
  • Support clients’ parole appearances and reentry process, as needed
  • Correspond with clients to update them on investigations and request releases or other information
  • Support attorneys as they prepare for DVSJA hearings
  • Update and organize physical files and case management system, including preparing files for final review after case has been resolved
  • Other duties as assigned

  Location

  Manhattan - Criminal Defense Practice Office

  Requirements

  • Paralegal certificate from an ABA-accredited program or a Bachelor's degree (or expected completion by the end of July 2024) is required
  • Some knowledge of New York criminal law and criminal procedure preferred, but not required
  • Interest in criminal law and social justice issues
  • Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income individuals and people of color a must
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent computer and word processing skills, particularly Microsoft Word and a PDF program
  • Excellent organizational skills with ability to manage a large workload and meet deadlines
  • Ability to pay strong attention to detail and think critically
  • Highly motivated with a willingness to work as a team and adapt to the changing needs of the practice
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  • Proficiency in a language or languages other than English preferred, but not required

  SALARY TRANSPARENCY

  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: $57,687 to $83,218

  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.

  Click here to read more about the benefits of working at The Legal Aid Society

  HIGHER EDUCATION AND LOAN FORGIVENESS

  The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs.

  Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.

  studentaid.gov

  hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs

  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.

  WORK AUTHORIZATION

  All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

  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 jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org .

  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.

  Required Documents

  Please submit these documents as a single combined PDF when you apply via the LAS (Legal Aid Society) Recruitment Portal.

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter

• About the company

  The Legal Aid Society is a 501 non-profit legal aid provider based in New York City.

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