Children's Rights Attorney
Brooklyn, NY
Full Time
Mid Level
About the Organization
The Children’s Law Center (CLC) is a non-profit legal services organization that represents children in custody, visitation, guardianship, paternity, family offense, and related child protective (abuse or neglect) proceedings in the Family Courts and the Integrated Domestic Violence Parts of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, and in appeals therefrom. CLC represents approximately 5,000 children annually in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, providing holistic and zealous representation and support in the courts, the community, and the legislature.
CLC’s mission is to empower our clients, prevent trauma, and promote equity and wellbeing. CLC’s attorneys provide representation to children who otherwise would not have a voice in proceedings that directly impact their lives. Our attorneys provide legal advocacy in court and coordinate with CLC paralegals and social workers to ensure that children receive the support that they need. Our clients frequently have complex histories, including family dissolution and conflict, domestic violence, mental health issues, and educational challenges.
CLC seeks an attorney who will be part of the Writing and Appeals team with an additional focus on advancing children’s rights including economic, educational, and access rights, through appellate work, litigation, and policy analysis.
Under the supervision of the Director of Appeals, Writing and Paralegal Support, the Children’s Rights/Writing Attorney will help shape children’s rights law through preparing motions, affirmations, summations, and other trial level documents to be submitted in the Family Courts and IDV Parts of the Supreme Court, as well as appellate briefs and motions in the First and Second Departments of the Appellate Division. In addition, the attorney will appear for arguments and conferences in the Appellate Divisions and, when necessary, in Family and/or Supreme Court. The attorney will engage with other legal service and pro bono attorneys to promote children’s rights through preparing trial level motions, appeals, and affirmative litigation.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
The expected salary range for this position ranges from $76,500 - $128,520 annually. Salary offers, pursuant to the CLC Collective Bargaining Agreement, are based on the number of years employed in a legal position including performed work analogous to the practice of law.
Benefits
At The Children's Law Center, we provide a comprehensive benefits package to support your wellbeing. Our offerings include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan including employer contribution and match, paid time off, and opportunities for professional growth. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and balanced work environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally. As an employee of The Children's Law Center, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs. For more information, please visit https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
The Children’s Law Center (CLC) is a non-profit legal services organization that represents children in custody, visitation, guardianship, paternity, family offense, and related child protective (abuse or neglect) proceedings in the Family Courts and the Integrated Domestic Violence Parts of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, and in appeals therefrom. CLC represents approximately 5,000 children annually in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, providing holistic and zealous representation and support in the courts, the community, and the legislature.
CLC’s mission is to empower our clients, prevent trauma, and promote equity and wellbeing. CLC’s attorneys provide representation to children who otherwise would not have a voice in proceedings that directly impact their lives. Our attorneys provide legal advocacy in court and coordinate with CLC paralegals and social workers to ensure that children receive the support that they need. Our clients frequently have complex histories, including family dissolution and conflict, domestic violence, mental health issues, and educational challenges.
CLC seeks an attorney who will be part of the Writing and Appeals team with an additional focus on advancing children’s rights including economic, educational, and access rights, through appellate work, litigation, and policy analysis.
Under the supervision of the Director of Appeals, Writing and Paralegal Support, the Children’s Rights/Writing Attorney will help shape children’s rights law through preparing motions, affirmations, summations, and other trial level documents to be submitted in the Family Courts and IDV Parts of the Supreme Court, as well as appellate briefs and motions in the First and Second Departments of the Appellate Division. In addition, the attorney will appear for arguments and conferences in the Appellate Divisions and, when necessary, in Family and/or Supreme Court. The attorney will engage with other legal service and pro bono attorneys to promote children’s rights through preparing trial level motions, appeals, and affirmative litigation.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Prepare motions, affirmations, summations, appellate briefs, and other litigation documents, independently and in collaboration with pro bono lawyers.
- Conduct extensive legal research and reviews of files and records to produce persuasive legal documents.
- Work collaboratively with in-house trial attorneys, social workers, and paralegals as well as pro bono counsel in preparing legal documents and identifying legal issues.
- Appear for oral argument in the Appellate Divisions for the First and Second Departments and court appearances at both trial and appellate levels.
- Subpoena or otherwise obtain all necessary documentation to prepare cases.
- Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy, and facilitate its implementation.
- Collaborate with other CLC teams to best represent CLC clients.
- Regularly and appropriately respond to court, client, community, and staff concerns, and maintain professional and ethical standards at all times.
- Excellent legal writing and research skills—ability to write clear, concise fact statements and legal arguments.
- Ability to synthesize a large volume of material, to address complex issues, and to pay attention to both big picture themes and details.
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
- Excellent oral advocacy skills.
- Admitted to practice law in New York State.
- Demonstrated skills in advocacy, cultural competence, mediation, and interviewing.
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest and policy.
- Knowledge of New York family law.
- Superb interpersonal skills, effective communication skills, time management, and organizational skills.
- Curiosity and eagerness to continue learning new skills, grow professionally, and take on new challenges.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise complete discretion when working with confidential and sensitive information.
- History of working with pro bono providers a plus.
- Desire to work in a busy organization that represents children.
The expected salary range for this position ranges from $76,500 - $128,520 annually. Salary offers, pursuant to the CLC Collective Bargaining Agreement, are based on the number of years employed in a legal position including performed work analogous to the practice of law.
Benefits
At The Children's Law Center, we provide a comprehensive benefits package to support your wellbeing. Our offerings include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan including employer contribution and match, paid time off, and opportunities for professional growth. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and balanced work environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally. As an employee of The Children's Law Center, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs. For more information, please visit https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Hybrid Schedule
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