Temporary Legal Secretary

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 and resume. 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 via our application portal. 

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: February 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.
• Anticipated Start Date: March 9, 2026