Entry Level Civil Rights Paralegal Jobs in Montclair, NJ

Paralegal, Immigration Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking a Paralegal to join the detained removal defense team in our Immigration Practice.

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities.

BDS’s Immigration Practice is a collaborative team working to help noncitizen clients maintain family unity and obtain lawful immigration status in the United States. Under the direct supervision of the Paralegal Supervisor, Immigration Paralegals provide support to attorneys and clients in removal proceedings before the Immigration Courts and on applications before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Responsibilities:

• Collect necessary records and documents from clients, hospitals, courts, and other entities.
• Complete immigration application forms with a high level of factual accuracy and attention to detail.
• Copy, scan, and otherwise assist in the preparation of application packages for bond, relief from removal, and immigration benefits.
• Under attorney supervision, interview clients and witnesses to prepare draft affidavits and letters of support.
• Under attorney supervision, conduct country conditions and factual research.
• Deliver filings to New York City immigration courts.
• Maintain accurate digital and paper files according to office protocol.
• Timely and accurately enter information into case management system.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Advanced or bilingual proficiency in Spanish.
• Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team.
• Ability to take direction and feedback and adjust workload with agility.
• Excellent time management and task triage skills.
• High proficiency in Adobe Pro and Microsoft 365 Suite programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Paralegal certificate and/or Bachelor’s Degree and/or prior paralegal experience in the immigration field.
• Notary Public or willing to become one.

Position Information

This is a non-exempt, salaried position in the collective bargaining unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at BDS’s offices in downtown Brooklyn.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range of $63,113 - $69,863 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. Applicants with extensive experience may make more than the upper part of the range. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions

Click “Apply Now” to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Please submit your application by August 15, 2026.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director, Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace @ bds.org.