Legal Aid Society - New York, NY
posted 2 months ago
The Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Practice is seeking a dedicated Paralegal II to join the DNA Unit, which provides essential citywide support on DNA-related issues. This full-time position involves a variety of responsibilities aimed at enhancing the unit's effectiveness in advocating for clients and managing legal processes. The Paralegal II will play a crucial role in project management, ensuring that litigation deadlines are tracked meticulously, including Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests and amicus briefs filings. Additionally, the paralegal will manage a repository of court decisions, motion templates, and a master calendar for the DNA Unit, which is vital for maintaining organized operations within the unit. In this role, the Paralegal II will also be responsible for conducting research and drafting the DNA Unit newsletter, providing support to attorneys during hearings and trials, and obtaining necessary trial transcripts and scientific journal articles. The position requires the paralegal to serve as a liaison between attorneys and clients, assisting clients in completing forms and releases, compiling case materials, and handling correspondence with experts and clients. Furthermore, the paralegal will coordinate tasks related to the DNA Unit's annual national DNA conference and in-house forensic training sessions. The position also involves conducting standard legal research and drafting policy and legal memoranda, subpoenas, and orders to produce. The Paralegal II may also perform functions of a Paralegal I on a temporary basis as needed. This role is essential for the effective functioning of the DNA Unit and requires a commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income individuals.