Attorney, Adolescent Representation Unit

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) Queens Office is seeking attorneys to join the Adolescent Representation Unit 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 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 Adolescent Team consists of an interdisciplinary team of attorneys and social workers who collaborate to represent young people up to the age of 18 who are arrested. The Unit represents adolescents 12-17 in both Supreme and Family Court. Team members represent young people who are arrested as follows:

• Clients ages 14-17 charged as adults in Supreme Court
• Clients ages 12-17 charged with misdemeanor and/or felony charges in Delinquency Proceedings and PINS petitions in Family Court
• Clients whose cases are Removed to Family Court from Supreme Court

Responsibilities

• Directly represent clients in Queens Family Court from intake through dismissal plea/admission or trial/fact finding and on occasion appeal in Family Court cases.
• Foster strong attorney/client relationship with adolescent clients including visiting detention facilities if the client is incarcerated.
• Work collaboratively on interdisciplinary case teams with social workers investigators paralegals and admins.
• Participate in a rotation to staff intake shifts in Supreme Court Youth Part and/or Family Court Intake Part
• Collaborate with other BDS staff from our housing immigration family and education practices to provide comprehensive assistance to clients.
• Meet regularly with supervisor to review caseload discuss case strategy and prepare for trial.
• Meet with family members or other support networks.
• Prepare for and litigate hearings and trials in Family and/or Supreme Courts as well as collateral administrative tribunals.
• Prepare and argue written motions argue in court regarding discovery answer legal motions filed by the District Attorneys office or Corporation Counsel and other legal written and oral arguments in cases assigned to the attorney.
• Negotiate plea agreements to reach the best result for the client and advise clients regarding their options.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
• Admitted in New York State or admitted in another state and able to pursue Pro Hac Vice in New York.
• Strong litigation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with adolescents.
• Prior experience handling felony cases in New York or 3 years experience handling felony cases in another jurisdiction.

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 BDSs Queens office in Jamacia and the courts located in Queens.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a base salary range of $90000-$126000 depending on the applicants 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 to submit your 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 candidatesof all identities expressions orientations disabilities and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason please contact the Managing Director of Human Resources Christina Wallace atcwallace @