DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION

Queens Legal Services (QLS) seeks a dynamic and experienced attorney to serve as Director of Litigation.  QLS is part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), the largest provider of free civil legal services for low-income people in the country.  We are dedicated to providing high-quality legal services in the areas of housing, family law, public benefits, employment, consumer, education, immigration, LGBTQ, and disability rights.  We have special units serving particularly vulnerable populations including domestic violence victims, veterans, people with HIV, and people with disabilities. We are committed to working in partnership with community-based organizations in the low-income communities we serve to address the root causes of poverty and seek racial, social, and economic justice. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated leader and attorney.

The responsibilities of the Director of Litigation will include:

• Supervising, coordinating, and/or providing substantive support on all complex, multi-plaintiff, and impact litigation cases in close collaboration with all unit directors at QLS and the litigation director of LSNYC; 

• Working with staff in multiple practice areas to identify affirmative systemic litigation, especially involving issues of racial and economic justice;  

• Empowering others to manage and lead complex advocacy;

• Working as a leader of a team of lawyers new to a particular field or new to practice;

• Working with other supervisors to streamline cross-disciplinary litigation and litigation supervision in the office, improve models for issue spotting across practice areas, and develop internal skills and expertise; and

• Assist the Project Director, Deputy Director, and Unit Directors with program development and new initiatives.

Applicants must have the following qualifications:

• At least 10 years of experience in litigation;

• A track record of developing and litigating complex cases, including appellate and federal court litigation, and a comfort with engaging in complex motion practice, negotiations, discovery, and trial work;

• Experience providing civil legal services to low-income people or comparable relevant experience;

• Excellent legal writing, litigation, and advocacy skills;

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work in litigation teams;

• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion;

• An ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds;

• An ability to practice and teach community lawyering and work effectively with community-based organizations; and

• Admission to the bar of the State of New York or current eligibility for admission.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and three professional references by email to jobs@queenslegalservices.org.  Please put “Director of Litigation” in the subject line.

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Additional information about the practice may be found on our website, www.legalservicesnyc.org. Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and people over the age of 40 are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job#32_2024; Posted 3.2024

Salary Range (Dependent on years of experience): $135,192 - $215,688