Entry Level Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice - Brooklyn Defenders : Job Details

Entry Level Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice

Join to apply for the Entry Level Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice role at Brooklyn Defenders

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Entry Level Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice

Join to apply for the Entry Level Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice role at Brooklyn Defenders

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Sign in to access AI-powered advices

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Continue with Google Continue with Google

This range is provided by Brooklyn Defenders. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$81,000.00/yr - $157,261.00/yr

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking Entry Level Attorneys to join the Criminal Defense Practice.BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our work with clients is focused on the intersection of the legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and brown communities living below the poverty level in Brooklyn.BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers, and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including housing, public benefits, education, and employment issues.BDS' Criminal Defense Practice zealously defends people who are accused of a crime in Brooklyn, fighting to protect the individual rights of clients' and minimize harm from involvement with the criminal legal system. BDS' staff consists of attorneys, social workers, investigators, paralegals, and administrative professionals who work collaboratively to bring about the best outcome for each client.Under the direct supervision of a Supervising Attorney, attorneys directly represent clients who have been arrested and facing criminal charges. BDS provides a comprehensive training program for entry-level attorneys. This is followed by a period of time where they handle misdemeanor cases with supervision and then gradually move on to more and more serious cases.Responsibilities

• Directly represent clients in Brooklyn Criminal and Supreme Courts from intake through dismissal, plea or trial.
• Foster strong attorney/client relationships.
• Work collaboratively on interdisciplinary case teams with social workers, investigators, paralegals and admins.
• Participate in a rotation to staff court arraignment shifts on weekdays, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Prepare for and litigate hearings and trials in Criminal and Supreme Courts, as well as collateral administrative tribunals.
• Prepare and argue written motions, argue in court regarding discovery, answer legal motions filed by the District Attorney's office and other legal written and oral arguments in cases assigned to the attorney.
• Collaborate with other BDS staff from our housing, immigration, family defense and education practices to provide comprehensive assistance to clients.
• Meet regularly with supervisor to review caseload, discuss case strategy, and prepare for trial.
• Be an advisor to the client when decisions are made about the case.
• Meet with family members or other support networks as client requests.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree, ideally with trial advocacy, evidence, ethics, criminal law and criminal procedure courses.
• Experience in a law school clinical program or a public defense internship involving client representation is preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the public interest, as expressed by coursework, internships and extra-curricular activities.
• Excellent litigation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in a second language is a plus.

Position InformationThis is a exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at BDS's offices, and the courts located in Downtown Brooklyn. There is a three-day per week in-person requirement for all attorneys. Attorneys are also expected to handle all their own cases in court, as well as meet with clients as needed, even if that results in additional days in-person. (This generally results in more than three in-person days for most attorneys). Applicants should be aware that the in-person requirement is subject to change.BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position, there is a base salary range of $81,000-$157,261 depending on the applicant's education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.Application InstructionsClick Apply to submit a cover letter and resume addressed to Richard LaFontaine, Esq., Director of Recruiting, via our online application portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. BDS recommends submitting your application by December 31, 2024.Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidatesof all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director of Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace @ bds.org

Seniority level

• Seniority levelEntry level

Employment type

• Employment typeFull-time

Job function

• Job functionLegal
• IndustriesLegal Services

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Brooklyn Defenders by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Criminal Defense Attorney” roles.

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Criminal Defense Practice Staff Attorney, LateralStaff Attorney, Criminal Defense (Felony Experience)Staff Attorney, Criminal Defense (Felony Experience)

Brooklyn, NY$76,500.00-$128,520.002 weeks ago

New York, NY$76,500.00-$128,520.002 weeks ago

Staff Attorney, Prisoners' Rights Project (PRP)Criminal Appeals Bureau Staff Attorney – Entry Level Fall 2025Legal, Litigation Attorney, Vice President, New YorkFall 2025 Housing Staff Attorneys/Law Graduates (Right to Counsel) - Queens Office

New York, NY$175,000.00-$200,000.0015 hours ago

Queens, NY$76,500.00-$128,520.006 days ago

New York, NY$100,000.00-$140,000.006 days ago

Associate Attorney - Civil Rights, Labor & Employment Litigation

New York City Metropolitan Area 3 days ago

New York City Metropolitan Area 3 months ago

Experienced Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice

Brooklyn, NY$80,000.00-$157,261.007 months ago

New York, NY$89,613.00-$132,293.009 hours ago

Associate Attorney - Litigation - Special Education - Manhattan, NYStaff Attorney, Criminal Immigration SpecialistEarly Career Trial Attorney - (Remote - Bronx/Westchester area, New York)

New York, NY $66,800 - $120,650 6 days ago

Trial Attorney, Preventing System Involvement (PSI)

New York, NY $64,500 - $128,520 2 weeks ago

Staff Attorney, Parole Revocation Defense Unit (Fall 2025)Family Defense Practice Custody Staff Attorney

New York, NY $100,000 - $140,000 2 months ago

New York, NY $130,000 - $150,000 5 days ago

We're unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.

#J-18808-Ljbffr