Launch Your Public Interest Legal Career

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews and offers are extended throughout the recruiting season. So, we strongly encourage candidates to apply as early as possible.

• Civil Practice Law Graduate, Housing Justice – Tenant Defense – Fall 2027
• Juvenile Rights Practice Staff Attorney – Entry Level Fall 2027

Entry-Level Law Graduate Application Deadlines
Applications for Fall 2026 – 2027 entry-level staff attorney positions will open on the dates listed below. Candidates with less than three years of experience will be considered for all entry-level staff attorney opportunities. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with interviews and offers extended on a rolling basis, so early submission is strongly encouraged. Please note that applications will not be accepted after the stated deadlines.

Based on projected staffing needs, the Criminal Defense Practice  will be hiring in the Parole Revocation Defense Unit and Criminal Appeals Bureau. Law graduate and entry level hiring for the Criminal Defense Trial Division will be paused for Fall 2027.

Here is the expected recruiting timeline for the Civil and Juvenile Rights Practice:

Applications open: August 14, 2026

Applications close: October 14, 2026

Key Information

Practice Hiring Areas

Civil Practice
Civil Practice represents New Yorkers in matters involving housing, immigration, family, employment, public benefits, consumer rights, and other civil legal issues. For our Civil Law Grad position, you will be placed with our Housing Justice Unit – Tenant Defense.

Juvenile Rights Practice
Juvenile Rights Practice JRP provides legal representation to children and youth, who are before New York City Family Courts on child welfare, PINS (Persons-in-Need-of-Supervision), youth justice, public defense, and termination of parental rights petitions.

Criminal Defense Practice
Criminal Defense Practice is the primary public defender in New York City, providing holistic, client-centered representation to people facing misdemeanors, felony, and homicide charges.

Entry level staff attorneys are defined as those that have 0-3 years of experience in criminal defense, are admitted to practice in the State of New York or can practice Pro Hac Vice pursuant to New York State rules.

Eligibility
Current 3L students who will graduate in Spring 2027 and will sit for the New York Bar Exam in July 2027 or its equivalent. Those participating in post-graduate Fellowships or Clerkships who took the first available bar exam are eligible to apply as well. Winter 2026 graduates sitting for the February 2027 New York Bar Exam or its equivalent are also eligible.

Recruiting Timeline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with interviews and offers extended throughout the recruitment cycle. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early, as applications will not be accepted after the posted deadline.

Application Process

How to Prepare Before You Apply
Before starting your application, gather the following materials and combine them into a single PDF:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial/Official Law School Transcript
• Writing Sample

Once your combined PDF is ready, submit it through the career portal with the rest of your application. Please note that all applications must be submitted online through the career portal. Emailed applications will not be accepted.

Application Review
Applications are reviewed on a weekly rolling basis. After the initial screening, you will be passed along to the Hiring Committee for further evaluation. If selected, the assigned Talent Acquisition Specialist will reach out to schedule your Round one interview. If you pass that round, we will then invite you to the final round.

Interview Process

If you are selected to move forward in the hiring process, a member of our Talent Acquisition team will reach out by email or phone to schedule your interview and share details about what to expect.

Interviews will be conducted in person or virtually through Microsoft Teams or Zoom. We encourage you to keep an eye on your email and voicemail for communications from The Legal Aid Society regarding your interview.

You can also log in to your ADP candidate profile at any time to view the status of your application and track your progress throughout the hiring process.

After the Interview
Once the interview process is complete, candidates will be contacted with an update regarding their application.

The hiring process may take some time, and candidates are encouraged to check their ADP candidate profile regularly for updates regarding their application status.

We appreciate your patience as our team takes the time to carefully review and consider each candidate.

Hiring Process

References
If you are selected as a finalist, a member of our Talent Acquisition team will contact you by email to request three (3) professional references as the final step in the interview process, prior to making a final hiring decision.

At least one (1) reference should be a current or former supervisor or manager. Your remaining references may include team leaders, colleagues, or other professional contacts who can speak to your work experience, performance, and qualifications.

We encourage you to let your references know they may be contacted and ensure they are prepared to share feedback about your professional experience and qualifications.

Offers
If you are selected for the position, you will receive an offer letter by email outlining the details of the opportunity, including the position, terms of employment, and any applicable conditions.

You will then have the opportunity to accept or decline the offer. Once you accept an offer, we will provide information about the next steps.

Onboarding
Closer to your start date, a member of our Benefits & Compensation team will reach out by email with information about the onboarding process and the steps you will need to complete before your first day.

As part of onboarding, you will receive information about The Legal Aid Society’s benefits, employee programs, paid time off, and other resources available to staff.

You will also be required to provide documentation verifying your identity and authorization to work in the United States as part of the employment eligibility verification process.

We Encourage You To

• Sign up to receive notifications for our latest job openings on our ADP Recruitment Portal, by clicking on the Notify Me button.
• Check out the “Resources for Jobseekers” search tool for questions that you may have prior to applying to postings.
• Stay on top of current events that The Legal Aid Society by viewing “Latest News & Upcoming Events” on our Homepage.
• For questions, please contact us at TalentAcquisition@Legal-Aid.org

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I apply?
As early as possible. Applications are reviewed as they are received. We strongly encourage candidates to apply early, as interviews and offers are made on a rolling basis.

Can I apply to more than one practice area?
Yes. You may submit separate applications for each practice area you are interested in, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.

What happens after I apply?
You will receive a confirmation email after submitting your application. Candidates selected to move forward will be contacted by the Talent Acquisition team regarding next steps.

Are late applications accepted?
No. Applications submitted after the posted deadline will not be considered.

Do I need to be admitted to the New York Bar before applying?
No. Candidates may apply before being admitted to the bar. Please review the job posting for any position-specific admission requirements.

Will I be asked to provide a reference?
Yes, you will be asked to provide three professional references as part of the hiring process.

What happens if I don’t get contacted for an interview?
Due to the high volume of applications, only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please check your email inbox and the career portal for communication and updates.

How can I withdraw an application that I have already submitted?
You can withdraw via the career portal or by contacting the assigned Talent Acquisition Specialist. Please note that once an application is withdrawn, you will no longer be able to reapply for that position. If your application was withdrawn in error, contact TalentAcquisition@legal-aid.org for assistance.

How can I edit an application that I have already submitted?
Applications cannot be edited once they have been submitted. If you need to make changes to your application, please contact TalentAcquisition@legal-aid.org.

As a former intern/current Intern, should I apply internally or externally?
Current and former interns should apply through the external career site. Be sure to note your internship experience in your resume or cover letter.

Should I also apply to the Entry-Level Staff Attorney posting even if I applied for an On-Campus Interview (OCI)?
Yes, you must submit an application through The Legal Aid Society’s external career site to be considered.

What should I do if I receive an offer from another organization?
If you receive an offer from another organization and have a deadline for responding, please contact the assigned Talent Acquisition Specialist as soon as possible and provide the offer deadline.

How do I accept a job offer?
To view and accept your offer letter:

• Log in to the career portal.
• Navigate to Application History.
• Select the arrow next to the position marked “Offer Extended.”
• Review the offer and choose Accept or Decline.

How can I check the status of my application?
You can view your application status at any time by logging into your account on the career portal. You will also be notified if there are any updates regarding your application.

Can I reapply for the same position?
No, only one application per position is permitted. Any duplicate applications submitted under a different account will be merged.

Why is my application inactive and I can’t complete it?
Once an application is initiated, applicants are allotted a designated timeframe to finalize it before it transitions to an inactive state through an automated process. To reset your application, please contact TalentAcquisition@legal-aid.org.