Paralegal/Client Advocate (Parole Advocacy)
The Center for Appellate Litigation (CAL), a 50-attorney non-profit public defender agency in New York City, responsible for representing indigent criminal defendants in all aspects of post-conviction proceedings, is seeking to hire a paralegal/client advocate for CAL’s Parole Advocacy project. Client advocates at CAL interact with clients extensively and serve as the “front lines” of our holistic advocacy.
As part of our mission to provide holistic support to our clients, our Parole Advocacy team brings clients, attorneys, and other CAL staff together to compile a comprehensive submission to the Parole Board in cases in which the Board has discretion to grant parole release, with the objective of presenting a well-rounded picture of our clients. The Parole Advocacy Client Advocate is an essential member of that team, providing full-time administrative support and serving as a point of contact for clients and their families. Primary duties include maintaining an organized and updated database tracking system; obtaining institutional and/or court records; procuring letters of support; assisting with drafting parole advocacy/mitigation packets for clients; and helping clients prepare for their upcoming parole hearings.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree OR a minimum of 3 years’ experience in an administrative support role;
- General computer and technological proficiency, including comfort with Microsoft Office and the ability to quickly become proficient with firm-specific programs and software;
- Outstanding organizational skills, attention to detail, and deadline-consciousness;
- Strong oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to work collaboratively on a team as well as independently;
- Patience and the capacity to interact with bureaucratic agencies;
- Spanish proficiency is highly preferred, but intermediate/independent ability on the CEPR scale is required. Learn more here: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale
- Empathy for people who have been convicted of serious offenses and a commitment to advocating on their behalf.
CAL is seeking a commitment and ability to remain in the position for at least two years. The anticipated start date is mid-October 2022.
At CAL, we embrace and value our staff’s diversity, and we welcome applications from people of color; people with disabilities; and people of LGBTQ+ identities. CAL is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, arrest or conviction record, caregiver status, citizenship status, color, credit history, creed, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, marital status, partnership status, pregnancy, race, religion, salary history, sexual and reproductive health decisions, sexual orientation, status as a covered veteran or active military service member, or status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, and sex offenses in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Starting salary for September 2022 for recent college graduates will be at least $49,000; salary for more experienced applicants will be commensurate with experience. Salary will be increased after the first year. A generous benefits package will be provided.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the form linked below. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Alternatively, applicants without a Gmail account may email their materials to jobs@cfal.org. Please include in subject line “2022 Client Advocate Parole Advocacy Position"
Additional information about the organization can be found at www.appellate-litigation.org.