Forensic Attorney, Forensic Unit

Brooklyn Defenders is seeking applications from attorneys with advanced forensic experience for the position of Forensic Attorney.

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 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 multi-faceted legal 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 Brooklyn Defenders Forensic Unit assists trial attorneys in confronting forensic evidence from the biological chemical and physical sciences as well as from digital technologies used by law enforcement. The Unit assists attorneys on cases throughout the criminal practice from misdemeanors to homicides.

Working with the rest of the Forensic Unit the Forensic Attorney will be responsible for providing pre-trial and trial support for cases involving scientific and technological addition the Forensic Attorney will be available to second-seat trial attorneys at hearings and at trial in order to cross-examine experts and other witnesses where forensic evidence is proffered.

Responsibilities

• Review forensic cases with the assigned attorney in order to:
  1. identify forensic issues and the best strategies for handling those issues;
  2. gather all relevant and available discovery materials critical external research and analysis and investigative materials needed to litigate those issues; and
  3. then litigate them within the caseeither directly as second-seat to the case attorney or in a support roleby drafting motions working with experts and conducting witness examinations at hearings and trials.
• Keep up-to-date on current law and new technical developments in the relevant areas of forensic practice.
• Periodically provide support to the Brookly Defenders policy team on forensic issues.
• Attend training on trending issues in forensics and carry that education back to other Brooklyn Defenders.
• Collaborate with other members of the Unit to improve forensic resource offerings within the office.

Qualifications and Skills

• Passion for Brooklyn Defenders mission - a demonstrated commitment to public defense and for social justice.
• Experienced criminal defense trial attorney admitted to practice in New York or eligible for admission in New York with at least 4 years of criminal defense trial experience.
• Technical aptitude an ability to understand the technical fundamentals of forensics.
• Accessibility a demonstrated ability to break down complex scientific and technical topics and explain them effectively to a lay audience.
• Research and writing an affinity for performing technical and legal research drafting motions and crafting innovative legal arguments.
• Familiarity with the constitutional and evidentiary issues regarding forensic evidence.

Position Information

This is a full-time exempt salaried position in the collective bargaining unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at Brooklyn Defenders offices and in the courts located in Brooklyn and Queens.

Brooklyn Defenders determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is an annual salary range from $97000-$ Defenders offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b)-retirement order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies Brooklyn Defenders has generous vacation sick holiday family and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions

Click Apply to submit a cover letter and submit your application by August 29 2025.

Brooklyn Defenders is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidatesof all identities expressions orientations disabilities and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason please contact Christopher Cox at