Senior Paralegal – Criminal Defense Unit

Senior Paralegal – Criminal Defense Unit

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Paralegal to contribute to our impact on Western New York communities. This union position is part of the Criminal Defense team and will initially focus on supporting our attorneys on felony matters. Given the nature of our work, this Senior Paralegal is expected to work primarily on-site from our office located at 290 Main St.,

Buffalo, NY 14202.

The Senior Paralegal assists the attorneys in investigation, preparation, and planning of cases; assists in developing legal defenses and dispositional plans; makes recommendations to attorneys concerning client wishes; possesses knowledge and skill in interviewing clients. Possesses a familiarity with the applicable law, interviews clients in institutions, or other locations as necessary, prepare motions and other court documents, serves and files court papers and subpoenas;

performs conflict checks, and perform general office tasks.

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc..has been providing access to justice and due process to the most vulnerable individuals, children and families in the Western New York Community for over 100 years. Using a holistic approach, we provide quality, client-centered legal representation in a vast range of criminal and civil matters such as mandated criminal defense, mandated child and youth representation, consumer credit, employment, education, family, post-conviction, appeals, housing, employment, and immigration.

Please visit our website to learn more.

• Supportive work environment
• Opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration with colleagues
• Schedule Flexibility within operating hours; 7:45 am – 6 pm.

Salary ranging from $50,860 to $58,121 commensurate with relevant experience.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
• Extensive paid time off programs– holiday, vacation, personal, sick time, and more
• Paid parenthood leave plan.
• 401(k) retirement plan with contributions made by the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. between 6 and 8% when eligible.
• Life insurance.
• Voluntary supplemental insurance offering, which includes short-term disability, long-term disability, term life insurance plus more.
• Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, flexible spending account, and more.

Eligible for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Assists attorneys in interviewing clients, witnesses, etc. at various locations, (including court detention and Mental Health facilities) for factual information related to the case.
• Performs fieldwork as required.
• Reviews and/or obtains histories, service plans, agency, medical or school records and clinical assessments of clients.
• Prepares drafts of legal pleadings, including petitions, motions, or orders, as directed by an attorney.
• Drafts and prepares related reports and correspondence.
• Obtains and assembles all necessary reports, documents, or court records relating to the case.
• Maintains accurate case records.
• Confers with caseworkers, service providers, educators, representatives of other agencies, probation officers or any other collateral individual, as required.
• Presents cases before hearing officers, as required by unit.
• Performs legal research as directed and verifies citations and statutory references contained in legal documents.
• Works collaboratively with attorneys to develop recommendations regarding the client’s wishes and prepares written reports regarding completed investigations.
• Attends court proceedings and provides testimony, as required.
• Verifies citations and statutory references contained in legal documents; and does legal research under supervision, as required.
• Files and organizes legal research materials as directed.
• Attends meetings, reviews, conferences, or other functions, at various locations, as required by unit.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

One of the…