Overview

BDS is a multi-disciplinary defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our expertise lies in the intersection of these legal systems that disproportionately impact poor, Black, Latinx, and immigrant communities.

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 is a public defense office where staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities in Brooklyn.

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.

The investigation unit is an important part of the Criminal Defense Practice, working closely with criminal defense attorneys to help uncover facts and witnesses necessary to provide BDS’ clients with a zealous defense – and the best possible outcome – in criminal court. This task encompasses finding video, talking to witnesses, and homing in on the details that the police and prosecution might have missed. The team locates, interviews, and takes detailed accounts from critical witnesses; obtains and reviews video surveillance footage; photographs and creates diagrams of crime scenes; and testifies in court to introduce investigation findings. While some of the investigators’ work takes place in an office, much of it is in the field—in private homes, in local businesses, on the street and in the greater community. By going out and immersing themselves in the many diverse communities in Brooklyn, BDS’ investigators are skilled in building trust with individuals and drawing out facts and circumstances surrounding a case and have excellent judgment to handle confidential and sensitive issues. 

Under the direct supervision of the Manager, Investigation Unit, Investigators help uncover information that supports providing high-quality representation to our clients.

Responsibilities

·   Locate, interview, and take detailed statements from critical witnesses

·   Obtain and review video surveillance footage

·   Photograph and diagram crime scenes

·   Testify in court to introduce investigation findings

·   Write detailed investigation reports

·   Serve subpoenas

·   Additional responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

·   Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience.

·   New York Process Server License, or able to become licensed within six months in the position.

·   The ability to work as part of the defense team in a client-centered practice, and maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained while working on the case

·   Experience working in a litigation, legislative, or investigative environment is preferred.

·   Strong analytical skills, ability to think creatively about all facets of a case and follow leads wherever they may take you.

·   Strong people skills, including experience approaching and interacting with strangers about sensitive subjects.

·   Demonstrated skill in building trust with individuals and drawing out their stories, and excellent judgment to handle confidential and sensitive issues.

·   Ability to work independently and in a collaborative setting

·   Able to produce high-quality written work.

·   Ability to take responsibility for multiple tasks concurrently and organize own work to ensure on-time and accurate completion.

·   Bi-lingual fluency in English and Spanish is preferred

Position Information

This is a full-time, non-exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm with occasional evening and weekends based on the needs of the cases. Employees are permitted to flex their time or earn overtime if they are required to work outside of normal business hours. This position is based at BDS’s offices in Downtown Brooklyn, NY 11201 with frequent travel throughout New York City.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range of $52,000 – $74,880, depending on the applicant’s education and experience.

BDS also offers comprehensive benefits including health and dental insurance, short-term disability and life insurance, pre-tax commuter benefit, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, and above-average vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions

Click HERE to apply by submitting a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. 

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 need an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Director of Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace @ bds.org.