Administrative Assistant, Criminal Practice en Brooklyn Defender Services

Brooklyn Defender Services – Queens Office (BDS) seeks an Administrative Assistant to join the Adolescent Team in the Criminal Defense Practice. 

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty.  

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multifaceted 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 for housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities.

The Criminal Defense Practice represents and protects the legal rights of people who are arrested.  Our staff consists of attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrative professionals, and clerical staff.

The Administrative Assistant is responsible for managing and maintaining client case files, both in paper and digital formats, ensuring accurate organization and accessibility. Additionally, they will be responsible for providing interpretation services for Spanish-speaking clients to facilitate clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Open, update, and close cases in our digital case management system. 
• Answer phones and route callers to the appropriate person or unit to assist them. 
• Participate in general duties of the administrative team as needed, including conducting conflict checks for new clients, mailing client letters, scanning mail, assembling and redacting documents in Adobe Acrobat, and other administrative tasks.  
• Interpret between BDS staff and clients including:
  1. Phone calls or videoconferences
  2. In-person meetings at the office 
  3. In-person meetings at court 
  4. In-person meetings at a jail or detention center
• Prepare transcriptions of audio and video recordings.  
• Translation of documents, including reports, records, and correspondence
• Follow BDS policies regarding confidentiality to safeguard client information.
• Additional duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or relevant work experience.
• Fluency in Spanish & English, both oral and written.
• Proficiency interpreting in consecutive and simultaneous modes required.
• Ability to translate legal terminology or willing to learn.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to take responsibility for multiple varied tasks and organize own time to ensure all tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Prior experience working with case management systems (data entry) preferred. 
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting and in an interdisciplinary unit that works together to forward the goals of the client and the case.

Position Information 

This is a full-time, non-exempt, salaried position in the collective bargaining unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday, 9 am-5 pm. The position is based at BDS’s offices in Queens and the courts in Jamaica. 

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position, there is a base salary range of $59,113-$66,987 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits, including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. To support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.  

Application Instructions    

Click “apply now” to submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your application by October 17, 2025.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the H.R. Manager, Christopher Cox, at ccox @ bds.org.