Paralegal II, Discovery Unit (Citywide)

$57,174 - $87,568/Yr

Legal Aid Society - New York, NY

Full-time - Entry Level

New York, NY

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Legal Aid Society is seeking a Discovery Paralegal II for its Criminal Defense Practice Discovery Unit. This role is essential in processing and managing discovery materials in compliance with new legal requirements, ensuring that both the defense and prosecution have access to necessary evidence. The position involves significant interaction with attorneys, court staff, and technology to facilitate the efficient handling of electronic discovery, ultimately supporting the representation of clients facing serious criminal charges.

Responsibilities

• Process receipt of discovery materials and certificates of compliance from the prosecution.
• Review discovery materials for completion and compliance and oversee the timely processing of discovery materials and certificates.
• Process evidence items by tagging, labeling, categorizing, splicing, and entering metadata onto evidence items as needed.
• Ensure all information is entered into LawManager correctly.
• Monitor and liaise with the District Attorneys and other court staff to ensure compliance and thoroughness of all discovery files associated with a case.
• Assist attorneys, paralegals, and investigators in accessing discovery materials, including identifying and organizing all discovery and troubleshooting issues related to the receipt of discovery and/or accessing evidence.
• Upload discovery material to an electronic discovery platform and ensure that material has correctly uploaded, is accessible, and in a readable/playable format.
• Work closely with the internal IT department on existing and evolving procedures set up to process discovery on internal servers and electronic discovery platform.
• Organize and maintain discovery to support the attorney assigned to the case and the Discovery Attorneys.
• Gather reciprocal defense discovery for assigned attorney review.
• Process delivery of reciprocal discovery to prosecution.
• Communicate with prosecution regarding any issues with the discovery materials.
• Prepare written reports summarizing information compiled.
• Obtain and copy court and office files.
• Assemble court files and materials for attorneys.
• Liaison between attorneys and their clients.
• Perform functions in the Paralegal I title, only as necessary.

Requirements

• GED or equivalent work experience (GED certificate, high school diploma, four years of responsible work experience, or some combination of work and education).
• Proficiency in computer, electronic data and file sharing software, word processing skills, Outlook, and Windows.
• E-file experience desirable and willingness to obtain credentials for future e-filing.
• Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people is strongly desired.
• One year of experience in a legal or other relevant work (paid or unpaid) environment.
• Some relevant college-level work and/or paralegal training preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication 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.

Nice-to-haves

• Some relevant college-level work and/or paralegal training preferred.
• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid vacation
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• Loan repayment assistance for New York residents