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Support Staff

Job Announcement for: Temporary Legal Secretary
Posted: April 21, 2026
Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
Salary Range: up to $26, hourly

Federal Defenders of New York (FDNY) is seeking applicants for a Legal Secretary to provide administrative support to join our Appeals unit, located in our Manhattan office. This is a full-time temporary position, with a dual management structure reporting to the Appeals Attorney-In-Charge and Branch Administrative Assistant.

Our Organization

FDNY is a nonprofit, community defender organization that provides legal representation to indigent persons accused of federal crimes in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. We are not a government agency, and our employees are not government employees. Our mission is straightforward: although we provide our services free of cost, our clients should receive the finest legal representation available at any price. A large part of our caseload involves immigration-related offenses, drugs, fraud, bank robbery, firearms, and internet-related crimes. We are looking for someone who is committed to equal justice and willing to fight vigorously for those accused of committing crimes.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a Legal Secretary, you will be providing administrative and legal support services that support clients post-trial or hearing in the review of their case. Your responsibilities will include:

  • Maintaining and organizing case files within the office library.

  • Perform day-to-day administrative tasks that support the operations of the Appeals unit, such as scheduling meetings, copying and scanning documents, proofreading and editing legal documents, as well as receiving and routing mail to the appropriate parties.

  • Provide case management across the lifecycle of a case, including the tracking and submission of documents, and preparing pleading indexes.

  • Communicating with court agencies, clients, and the general public with clarity—relaying information accurately and engaging staff attorneys when legal questions arise.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Demonstrates an interest in the mission of FDNY, as well as the legal profession and/or public-interest work.

  • Ability to learn and apply District & Second Circuit court rules, procedures and protocols.

  • Can maintain confidentiality in accordance with office policies and legal requirements.

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other office technology.

  • Displays good organizational and strong time management skills.

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment with individuals from various backgrounds, both orally and in writing.

  • High school diploma or equivalent required, and/or post-high school administrative professional or relevant legal training or certification and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bilingual proficiency in Spanish

  • Familiarity with specialized legal support services (e.g. litigation or appellate)

Benefits & Salary

The salary for this position is up to $26, hourly. Hiring for this position is subject to funding availability.

Healthcare benefits for this position are not provided.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, as FDNY is dedicated to promoting a work environment that supports and respects all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, gender identity, national origin, religion, or disability. Our office is committed to building a workplace that embraces different identities, voices, and worldviews—valuing equity and the richness of varied lived experiences.

Interested Applicants

Qualified candidates who are interested in contributing to this work are encouraged to apply by submitting a single pdf document that includes their cover letter, resume and two professional letters of recommendation—one being managerial. The cover letter should include your interest in public defense work and the unique qualifications you have for the legal secretary position.

Please address all materials to Estefania Cabrera via Airtable at https://airtable.com/appFVOvv8MFnjLNwj/pagourQ8a2116tyBV/form

Hiring Timeline

We value transparency in our hiring process and want applicants to know what to expect. Below are estimates of our key dates:

  • Application Deadline: April 24, 2026; Application review will occur on a rolling basis until the role is filled. The receipt of application materials will not be confirmed by FDNY.

  • Interviews: Interviews will be conducted in-person or virtually via Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams. Please note that only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

  • Anticipated Start Date: May 11, 2026

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Job Announcement for: Client Services and Office Operations Administrator
Posted: April 29, 2026
Application Deadline: May 20, 2026
Salary Range: $88,005 – $137,128

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Federal Defenders of New York (FDNY) is seeking applicants for a Client Services and Office Operations Administrator position in the Southern District of New York, located in our White Plains office. This job is an extraordinary opportunity to support a criminal defense practice and engage in direct service work. This is a permanent, full-time position.

Our Organization

FDNY is a nonprofit, community defender organization that provides legal representation to indigent persons accused of federal crimes in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. We are not a government agency, and our employees are not government employees. Our mission is straightforward: although we provide our services free of cost, our clients should receive the finest legal representation available at any price. A large part of our caseload involves immigration-related offenses, drugs, fraud, bank robbery, firearms, sex crimes and internet-related crimes. We are looking for someone who is committed to equal justice and willing to fight vigorously for those accused of committing crimes.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a Client Services and Office Operations Administrator focusing on client needs and office operations, you will work closely and collaboratively with a defense team made up of trial attorneys, investigators, social workers and administrative staff to support clients at every stage of their federal case, from arrest to acquittal or sentencing. The Client Services and Office Operations Administrator is expected to perform paralegal and administrative duties and will help run the day-to-day operations of the office. Your responsibilities will include:

  • Assist an office of at least four trial attorneys, an investigator, and a social worker with all aspects of client representation including meeting with clients and their families.

  • Review evidence, organize case materials, and prepare bail packages.

  • Assist in preparation of mitigation materials by conducting interviews, obtaining, reviewing, and summarizing records, gathering letters of support, and speaking with retained experts.

  • Serve as liaison with court agencies, treatment programs, service providers, jails, clients and their families.

  • Prepare documents for hearings and filings, as well as draft routine correspondence.

  • Maintain frequent communication and develop rapport with clients and their families; regularly visit clients at jails throughout the NYC metropolitan area, including Westchester, New Jersey and Brooklyn.

  • Administrative duties include managing daily office operations, opening and closing physical and digital case files, ordering supplies, preparing monthly case log reports, logging office wide attendance, delivering filings to the courthouse, overseeing incoming and outgoing mail, equipment maintenance (copiers, printers), and managing the other administrative needs of the office.

The Client Services and Office Operations Administrator will also attend court proceedings, sit at counsel table during trials and hearings, and participate in field investigations occasionally traveling beyond the office. On average, the Administrator will work on 80-100 cases alongside trial attorneys.

Qualifications & Experience

  • A demonstrated interest in and commitment to the mission of FDNY.

  • Oral and written communication skills, ability to relate well to clients, along with a commitment to timeliness and completing the highest quality of work.

  • Strong understanding of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

  • A self-directed learner who demonstrates initiative, critical thinking, time management and organizational skills.

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment.

  • A bachelor’s degree or higher awarded no later than June 2026.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Fluency in another language, especially Spanish, is highly desirable.

  • Familiarity with legal terminology and practice or working one-on-one with clients is desirable.

  • Because this position requires local travel, the ideal candidate will have a valid driver’s license.

Benefits & Salary

The salary range for this position is $88,005 – $137, 128. It is consistent with the federal-pay scale and is commensurate with the experience of the candidate.

Additionally, FDNY offers the following employer benefits:

  • Healthcare benefits, including medical/dental/and vision, and coverage managed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with ALAA

  • Commuter benefits & 403(b) retirement offerings

  • Employee Assistance Program

  • Paid vacation and sick leave time

  • Federal paid holidays

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, as FDNY is dedicated to promoting a work environment that supports and respects all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, gender identity, national origin, religion, or disability. Our office is committed to building a workplace that embraces different identities, voices, and worldviews—valuing equity and the richness of varied lived experiences.

Interested Applicants

Qualified candidates who are interested in contributing to this work are encouraged to apply by submitting a single pdf document that includes both their one-page cover letter and resume. The cover letter must include: (1) your interest in public defense work, (2) the unique qualifications you have for the Client Services and Office Operations Administrator position, and (3) any relevant experience working with court-involved or marginalized communities.

Please address all materials to Jennifer Brown, Attorney-in-Charge via Airtable here. The combined PDF file should be formatted as: FirstName LastName—WP [Client Services and Office Operations Administrator] Application Materials.

Hiring Timeline‍ ‍

We value transparency in our hiring process and want applicants to know what to expect. Below are estimates of our key dates:

  • Application Deadline: May 20, 2026; Application review will occur on a rolling basis until the role is filled. The receipt of application materials will not be confirmed by FDNY.

  • Interviews: Interviews will be conducted in-person or virtually via Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams. Please note that only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

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