Entry Level Attorney, Criminal Defense Practice, Queens

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking Entry Level Attorneys to join the Criminal Defense Practice in the Queens Office in September 2026.

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.

BDS Criminal Defense Practice zealously defends people who are accused of a crime in Queens 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.

Under the supervision of a Supervising Attorney attorneys directly represent clients who have been arrested and face criminal charges. BDS provides a comprehensive training program for entry-level attorneys. This is followed by a period of time where they handle misdemeanor cases with supervision and then gradually move on to handling more serious cases.

Responsibilities

• Directly represent clients in Queens Criminal and Supreme Courts from intake through dismissal plea or trial.
• Foster strong attorney/client relationships.
• Work collaboratively on interdisciplinary case teams with social workers investigators paralegals and admins.
• Participate in a rotation to staff court arraignment shifts on weekdays nights weekends and holidays.
• Prepare for and litigate hearings and trials in Criminal and 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 and other legal written and oral arguments in cases assigned to the attorney.
• Collaborate with other BDS staff from our housing immigration family defense and education practices to provide comprehensive assistance to clients.
• Meet regularly with supervisor to review caseload discuss case strategy and prepare for trial.
• Be an advisor to the client when decisions are made about the case.
• Meet with family members or other support networks as client requests.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree anticipated by the start date of the incoming class in September 2026ideally with trial advocacy evidence ethics criminal law and criminal procedure courses.
• Have taken the first available bar exam in NY after graduation.
• Experience in a law school clinical program or a public defense internship involving client representation is preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the public interest as expressed by coursework internships and extra-curricular activities.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with interdisciplinary staff members both within the practice and throughout BDS.
• Excellent litigation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in a second language is a plus.

Position Information

This is an exempt salaried position. The position is based at BDSs Queens office and the courts located in Queens.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and salary for a 2025 law school graduate is $90000. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement order 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 a cover letter and resume addressed to Kathleen Rende and Karan Kukreja Senior Supervising Attorneys via our online application portal. Please submit your application by December 31 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 candidates of 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 @