ABOUT US
The Center for Appellate Litigation (CAL) is a leading holistic legal services organization dedicated to providing high-quality appellate representation to low-income New Yorkers. CAL is assigned to represent New Yorkers convicted of crimes in Manhattan and the Bronx in their criminal appeals and other post-conviction proceedings. We pride ourselves on adopting dynamic approaches to serve our clients and challenge the status quo. Outside of the courtroom, we work tirelessly to protect our clients' well-being through an array of client support service projects, including the Conditions of Confinement Project (“Conditions Project”). Our team of dedicated attorneys, paralegals, and staff work tirelessly to advocate for our clients' rights and uphold the principles of justice.
POSITION OVERVIEW
CAL is seeking to immediately hire a paralegal to provide full-time administrative support to our direct appeals attorneys and paralegal supervisor. The ideal candidate is self-motivated and adept at independently managing a diverse workload. The paralegal will be supervised by the paralegal supervisor and is a member of the bargaining unit.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Paralegal's responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Working closely with direct appeals attorneys on substantive writing projects, including formatting briefs, motions and other related documents, proof reading, redacting documents, generating notes of issue, drafting table of authorities, preparing appendices, including pagination, and preparing hard-copy and electronic versions of documents for filing within court deadlines;
- Filing and serving legal documents, including submitting online electronic filings and serving in-person filings when necessary;
- Initiating case assignments from the Appellate Division-First Department through the NYSCEF system;
- Adding documents to complete cases through the NYSCEF system;
- Providing general assistance to the paralegal supervisor; locating clients, sending introductory packets, obtaining pre-sentence reports, and providing overall general assistance when needed;
- Requesting certificates of disposition and other records, including but not limited to, DOCCS records, medical records, DOE records, and records from state/city agencies, and following up on requests, arranging for pick-up, and adding records to archives;
- Requesting files and exhibits from trial attorneys and DA's offices, arranging receipt, scanning and/or copying documents, adding documents to archives, and arranging return if needed;
- Assisting with FOIL, FOIA, and HIPAA related requests, including getting releases from clients;
- Preparing documents to be used by attorneys in case work, e.g. notice of appeal, pro forma motions, etc.
- Communicating with clients, including responding to unassigned clients and clients whose cases are closed;
- Assisting with getting fines/fees back to clients;
- Corresponding with DOCCS and DCJS regarding change in sentence/conviction;
- Updating and organizing physical files and in CAL's case management system, including preparing files for final review and case closing;
- Uploading briefs to CAL's brief bank;
- Obtaining and copying court files as necessary; and
- Providing back-up support, as necessary, to the office's administrative, reception, and filing staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree;
- Attention to detail;
- Excellent organizational, project-management, multi-tasking, and problem-solving skills;
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills with an ability to quickly become proficient with firm-specific programs and software, including Corel WordPerfect and Adobe Acrobat;
- General computer and technological proficiency;
- Fast and accurate typing ability;
- Strong written and oral communication skills;
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to effectively interact with attorneys, staff and clients;
- Interest in criminal defense and social justice; and
- Empathy for people who have been convicted of serious offenses and a commitment to our organizational mission.
SALARY
Salary is $55,620 for a 2024 college graduate and $70,406 for a college graduate with four years' prior experience. CAL offers comprehensive medical benefits, a retirement account, and generous vacation time, holidays, personal and sick days.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION
At CAL, we embrace and value our staff's diversity, and we welcome applications from people of color; people with disabilities; and people of LGBTQ+ identities. CAL is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, arrest or conviction record, caregiver status, citizenship status, color, credit history, creed, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, marital status, partnership status, pregnancy, race, religion, salary history, sexual and reproductive health decisions, sexual orientation, status as a covered veteran or active military service member, or status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, and sex offenses in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.