Responsibilities

Federal Defenders of New York (FDNY) is seeking applicants for a full-time Forensics and Litigation Support Specialist. The position is stationed in our Brooklyn office and will provide support to all users across our other office locations, with occasional travel to Central Islip, Manhattan and White Plains.

Who are we?
FDNY is a federal public defender office 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. We are looking for someone who is committed to equal justice and willing to fight vigorously for those accused of crimes.

About the role: essential duties & responsibilities
As the Forensic and Litigation Support Specialist--you will join a small, but mighty team that collaborates with legal staff, IT, and litigation support teams. Your work will directly impact the outcome of complex cases, as well as aid in developing efficient processes, by enhancing our structures—from SOPs to workflows—by improving how we automate and manage digital evidence and discovery. In this position, you’ll play a key part in organizing, processing, and handling digital evidence and litigation data that supports our attorneys in delivering exceptional legal representation. By designing the case discovery life cycle for the organization, you’ll make a long-standing impact to our mission’s work.

As part of your daily work and projects, you will:

Managing digital forensics, imaging, processing, and discovery data
Support attorneys in trial prep and e-discovery workflows
Offer in-person and remote user support for litigation tools and technology
Organize and maintain protocols for evidence
Act as a consultant to legal teams during case development
Provide training and documentation for case and discovery systems

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree, or higher, in forensics, criminal justice, or study in a related field or equivalent experience.
2+ years of experience in digital forensics or litigation support.
Hands-on experience with tools like Cellebrite, Magnet AXIOM, FTK, EnCase, Autopsy, etc. Familiarity with eDiscovery platforms (e.g. Relativity, Casepoint, iPro Eclipse, or Quikdata), forensic data formats, and social media collection.
Strong attention to detail, communication skills and a client-service centered mindset.
A self-starter comfortable working independently or collaboratively.
Able to navigate shifting demands and unafraid to roll with the punches when urgent legal needs arise.
Are solutions-oriented individual that is energized by providing clarity, thrives in a mission-driven environment, and believes in the power of shared purpose.

Additional technical and organizational experience with automation, scripting/programming, and advanced desktop support is a plus. Applicants with certificates from organizations from such

Compensation

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $84,018 to $135,773. This range is consistent with the federal pay-scale and is commensurate with the experience of the candidate.

FDNY also offers excellent employer benefits, some of which include:

Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
Federal paid holidays
Health insurance, including medical/dental/vision
Group Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Transit Subsidy Program
Employee Assistance Program

Federal Defenders is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. 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.

How to apply

Ready to join us in the fight for justice?
To apply, all qualified and interested applicants must electronically submit a cover letter, resume, and three references in a single PDF document to our application portal, https://www.federaldefendersny.org/forensics-litsupport. Please note that only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

All materials should be addressed to Hiring Manager, Federal Defenders of New York, 52 Duane St., New York, NY 10007. Phone calls and faxes will not be accepted. The priority application deadline is June 20, 2025. However, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Early submission is strongly encouraged.

Apply