Litigation Director

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 Court, the community and the legislature. CLC's mission is to empower our clients, prevent trauma and promote wellbeing.

Position Description

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Litigation Director leads an interdisciplinary, client-centered legal program ensuring excellence in the protection of rights of CLC clients in Family Court proceedings, while also identifying and actively addressing systemic challenges faced by children in those cases. The Litigation Director provides leadership and ownership of all aspects of CLC’s trial practice including strategy, practice standards and skills development; supervision of borough directors; hiring and training of staff and maintaining a well-functioning, respectful and diverse legal organization. Additionally, the Ligation Director will oversee the pro bono and special project supervisor, pursuing affirmative litigation and amicus briefs as appropriate.

The Litigation Director also brings strategic direction and support to CLC’s trial practice professionals, establishing and maintaining our reputation as a national leader in legal advocacy for children involved in Family Court. They will advance the day-to-day development of the legal staff teams and ensure that CLC maintains the highest quality standards of representation and interdisciplinary client service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participates in the development and implementation of initiatives to enhance organizational culture while cultivating staff’s understanding and alignment with CLC's mission and values, emphasizing a strategic focus on vulnerable children, including those facing systemic racism, living in poverty, with disability or exposed to family violence, mental health conditions, substance misuse and other forms of family disruption;
• Supervises, develops, mentors, supports, and evaluates the Borough Legal Directors, to ensure the effective performance of their duties to meet the role and expectations of their position;
• Develops litigation strategies that support the inclusion of children’s voices in decisions that impact them and to achieve their expressed wishes; provides trial assistance and/or representation on particularly complex cases;
• Provides support to ensure CLC leaders and staff comply with organization policies and procedures, applicable court procedures and regulations;
• In collaboration with the Executive Director and the HR Director, the Litigation Director supervises the trial team’s talent management life cycle, including recruiting, onboarding, performance management, career development, succession planning and learning;
• Partners with the Executive Director and members of Executive Team to identify, create, fund and support innovative approaches to meet staff and client needs, including educational, emotional and community resources, including the Children’s Voice Project;
• Ensures collaboration between the Legal Directors team and other members of the Leadership team to ensure staff requests are reviewed, addressed and accurately communicated in a timely manner;
• With support from the Managing Attorney, provides leadership to CLC’s new lawyer and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) training programs;
• Works with the Senior Director of Operations and the Borough Legal Directors to ensure that CLC’s case management numbers are accurate, and reports can be provided to CLC leaders, staff, the Board of Directors, and funders;
• Utilizes case management data to spot trends impacting clients and staff;
• Partners with the Executive Director and other Directors to represent CLC to Judges, Family Court and community stakeholders as well as government and private funders;
• Collaborates with CLC Finance team, external bank team, CFO, development, technology, archival, facilities and case management professionals to ensure the effective utilization of CLC’s budget;
• Understands, supports, and communicates to CLC trial leadership contract compliance expectations of the Office of Court Administration (OCA), the Family Court and the Fiscal department;
• Enhances respectful communication amongst staff and addresses client, staff, and court needs;
• Collaborates with the Executive Director, Senior Director of Administration and the Board of Directors, to effectuate CLC’s multiyear budget and operational plan to ensure all staff, client and organizational needs are met;
• Maintains a high level of professional skill and knowledge by participating in conferences and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and participating in professional organizations. Communicates appropriately, updates to Leadership and Legal staff.

Qualifications:

• Admitted to practice law in New York State; admission to the federal courts is a plus.
• Eight or more years of relevant legal and litigation experience, with knowledge of family court practice and policy, including custody, domestic violence, and child welfare law.
• Three or more years of supervisory experience at the staff and managerial levels, including coaching and counseling employees through performance and other employee relations matters.
• Understanding of trauma-informed legal representation of children and a desire to work in a busy public interest organization engaged in individual representation and systemic advocacy on behalf of children.
• Demonstrated advocacy and interviewing skills, along with strong mediation and settlement skills.
• Demonstrated experience working on interdisciplinary teams through a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging lens.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and support change throughout an organization.
• Proficiency with case management systems, databases, spreadsheets, word processing, and email.
• Prior non-profit experience preferred.

Skills & Attributes:

• A creative and strategic mindset with a demonstrated ability to translate vision into action plans.
• Proven leadership, sound judgment, and strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, including the ability to handle difficult situations effectively.
• Ability to identify and address issues of concern to clients and staff.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), including prompt communication across all levels of the organization so that plans and projects are evaluated swiftly and conflicting demands are prioritized.
• Fosters a collaborative approach among leaders and staff.
• Excellent time management, project management, and organizational skills, including the ability to work independently, prioritize, and process information while handling multiple tasks and decisions under tight deadlines.
• Ability to conduct presentations and trainings and serve as a designated point person.
• Exercises discretion and preserves confidential information.
• Passion, commitment, confidence, self-motivation, and a sense of humor, with the ability to thrive in a challenging environment.
• Proficiency in languages other than English desired but not required.

Note: Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. CLC will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary Range: $185,000-$205,000 annually, dependent upon experience.

Hybrid: This position currently requires the individual’s physical presence (hybrid, minimum three days per week) at CLC’s offices in New York City. Days per week is subject to change and is dependent on Court requirements as well as grant requirements.

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/.

As an equal opportunity employer, The Children's Law Center is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination.

Proficiency in languages other than English desired but not required.