Family Defense Practice Staff Attorney

About This Role

This role involves zealously representing parents in child protective proceedings in Bronx Family Court, litigating legal matters, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to support families and interrupt generational cycles of family court involvement.

Responsibilities

• Zealously represent parents in child protective proceedings in Bronx Family Court and any concurrent matters including custody, visitation, and termination of parental rights cases
• Litigate legal matters in abuse and neglect proceedings in hearings and trials in family court - orally and in writing
• Effectively communicate and negotiate with judges, caseworkers, child attorneys, and representatives of the Administration for Children’s Services on behalf of parents
• Assist parents in accessing appropriate resources and services to restore full parental rights
• Collaborate with social workers and parent advocates in the Family Defense Practice, as well as attorneys and advocates in the criminal defense, civil action and immigration practice on enmeshed issues that arise in other venues
• Collaborate to provide coverage for cases to ensure that all client needs are being met
• Maintain client case files and data in BxD’s case management system
• Provide mentorship to junior attorneys
• Supervise and train interns and externs
• Conduct internal trainings in conjunction with the FDP Training Department

Requirements

• 2 years of family defense or related experience
• Graduate of an ABA-accredited law school and barred attorney with the ability to practice in New York
• Commitment to directly defending parents charged with abuse and/or neglect in child welfare proceedings
• Experience working in and with racially, ethnically and socioeconomically marginalized communities
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers
• Commitment to fierce advocacy, and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of clients
• Strong research, writing and courtroom advocacy skills
• Strong analytical skills and capacity to employ non-legal resources in cases
• Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters

Qualifications

• Graduate of an ABA-accredited law school
• 2+ years of family defense or related experience

Nice to Have

• Spanish language proficiency validated objectively
• Experience working in the family regulation system, in the field of Family Law, or a related field

Benefits