Location: Brooklyn, NY
Job Number: #25-31
Salary: $60,033 - $91,932
Closing Date: March 17, 2025 at 3:00pm
The Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights Practice is seeking a Paralegal Client Advocate in the Brooklyn Trial office. Paralegal Client Advocates (PCA) are integral members of the interdisciplinary team with lawyers, social workers, and other supporting roles that support the legal representation of children, youth and young adults in matters before NYC Family Courts and Criminal Court Youth Parts; including child welfare, youth justice, public defense, PINS (Persons-In-Need-of-Supervision), custody, guardianship, visitation and termination of parental rights cases.
The Paralegal Client Advocate plays a critical role on the team by supporting both administrative needs and direct client representation. As an advocate, the PCA extends the legal representation beyond the courthouse and into the community. The PCA will promote the client’s directed interest, support the clients’ ability to navigate, address and resolve complex issues in their home, school, agency and community, support family integrity and ensure comprehensive and holistic delivery of services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as a point of contact for clients and families, providing support and advocacy throughout their legal case
- Conduct client meetings, home visits, field visits and interviews in diverse settings, including schools, community spaces, residential facilities, and detention centers
- Advocate for clients during Family Team and Discharge Conferences, suspension hearings, IEP meetings, and other critical interactions
- Liaise with court officials, school personnel, probation officers, ACS staff, medical providers, and other stakeholders to ensure clients' needs are met
- Advocate for housing, benefits, and community services through agencies such as HRA and NYCHA
- Aid clients’ navigation of systems of care, including education, medical and mental health services
- Conduct investigations, observe interactions, and provide testimony when necessary
- Draft and review memorandums, administrative advocacy letters, case reports, and litigation support documents, including documents necessary for class action and appellate cases
- Assist with motion practice, requiring advanced writing skills and legal understanding
- Monitor compliance with court orders and support clients through reentry, permanency transitions, and placement processes
- Participate in training modules and contribute to the professional development of interdisciplinary teams
- Support organizational initiatives to create a uniform practice across all boroughs
- Collaborate and communicate in an interdisciplinary environment
- Maintain and prioritize workload by maintaining data reporting and required case management
- Handle institutional assignments including intake coverage
