Trial Attorney, Preventing System Involvement (PSI)

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.

Job description

CLC’s Trial Attorneys provide direct 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 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 among other needs.

CLC is building a special social work-legal team dedicated to preventing our clients from becoming further enmeshed in the child protective system. The Preventing System Involvement (PSI) team will provide holistic support to children whose families are experiencing ACS investigation or other issues that may lead to further system engagement.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Trial Attorneys are passionate advocates for child clients. Specifically, trial attorneys:

• Conduct interviews with clients and other individuals.
• Handle court appearances including conducting direct and cross examinations, oral and written motions.
• Subpoena or otherwise obtain all necessary documentation in order to prepare cases.
• Maintain comprehensive and well-organized case files on case management system.
• Regularly handle intake, comprehensively prepare cases for conference, negotiation or trial.
• Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy and facilitate its implementation.
• Explore alternatives to litigation and negotiate the best possible resolution for clients.
• Collaborate with the Writing, Social Work, Paralegal and Client Services 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.
• Attend training sessions pertinent to practice.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Key Qualifications and Competencies

• 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 family court, custody, domestic violence and child welfare.
• Superb interpersonal skills, effective communication skills (written and verbal), time management, and organizational skills.
• Curiosity and eagerness to continue learning new skills and grow professionally and take an optimistic approach to new challenges.
• Proven ability to work independently with excellent judgment, diplomacy, professionalism and able to prioritize requests, track and manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise complete discretion when working with confidential and sensitive information.
• Desire to work in a busy organization that represents children.