Careers Job Description
General Description
CUNY Law School's Defenders Clinic is seeking a Paralegal/Research Associate who will have a key role assisting with the Clinic's docket and the Delivering Justice Project, the clinic's collaboration with the Legal Aid Society's Wrongful Conviction Unit. The Project seeks to reduce incarceration in New York State through the re-investigation of postconviction cases and the testing of DNA evidence. The Paralegal/Research Associate will work as a part of the Defenders Clinic team to further the goals of the Clinic through research, data, and organizational support.
Other Duties
The Paralegal/Research Associate will:
- Manage court-related filings and preparation of documents
- Devise and maintain a system to keep track of all potential and actual DNA testing cases
- Keep track of documents in possession of Clinic and assist in locating those still needed
- Scan documents into the clinic database and maintain organization of case files in the
database and copy documents as needed
- Assist students in maintaining organized time sheets and case notes in the database
- Facilitate submission and reimbursement processes for expenses related to student travel and
obtaining documents (FOIL requests, medical records etc.)
- Provide consistent follow-up with FOIL and requests to DOCCS
- Assist students/faculty in the preparation and finalization of case filings (petitions, advocacy
letters, motions)
- Track data at every stage of case review including performance measures for quarterly
reports
- Track performance measures and generate reports on outcomes
- Assist with navigating federal requirements and databases for grant related documentation, data sharing, and reporting
- Attend regular joint Defender Clinic-WCU meeting where cases are discussed
- Monitor and conduct follow up with clients pending on the Defenders Clinic’s docket
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
-Intellectual strength and some knowledge of postconviction work and New York State criminal law and procedure as evidenced in areas of study, teaching, publication and/or research background
-Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of incarcerated/ low income people is strongly desired (Individuals who are formerly incarcerated or have other experience in the criminal legal system are particularly invited to apply)
-Excellent writing, verbal, and organizational skills
-Proficiency in legal research, data management, and computer skills
-Ability to use and manage web-based technology, as needed
-Ability to operate in the computer/statistical environment of the research project
-Ability to comprehend and act on assignments of varying complexity
-Ability to handle multiple assignments
-Ability to work on a team as well as independently
REQUIREMENTS
- Paralegal certificate, Bachelor's degree in relevant field or satisfactory completion of a comprehensive training course appropriate to practice area
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent computer and word processing skills
- Excellent legal research and writing skills
- The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team
- Experience with data collection and management as well as web-based technology
-Possession of the core competencies determined to be required at the time of hire.
Salary Range: $36,476-$60,794
RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and AccrualsAbout the Research Foundation
The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1963 to provide post-award fiscal and administrative support for CUNY’s research and sponsored programs. RFCUNY’s services allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries, on projects and programs that serve our local and global communities, proposing concrete solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.
RFCUNY serves as a fiscal agent and works closely with all the CUNY campus Grants Offices to perform the core functions of post-award financial management for CUNY research projects and sponsored programs. These functions include legal assessment and signing of agreements where RFCUNY is named as a fiscal agent; setting up award accounts; preparing sub-awards and assisting PIs in monitoring the work of the recipients of sub-awards; supporting project directors with hiring and managing research project and sponsored program staff; supporting the purchasing and paying for goods and services with grant and program funds; managing financial aspects of projects including accounts receivable, financial reporting, invoicing, budget monitoring, and cost compliance with uniform guidance; ensuring that sponsor financial requirements are met; monitoring compliance with applicable project and financial management rules and laws; supporting the management of independent and external audits and financial reviews; and providing data, information, management expertise, and other supports to CUNY’s research and sponsored programs.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Key Features
LAW
Full Time
Depends on Qualifications
Jan 31, 2022 (Or Until Filled)