Compliance Attorney

The Organization

Project Guardianship (PG) provides guardianship services for older adults and people with disabilities in New York who have been determined by a judicial proceeding to need help making decisions and have no family or friends able to assist them. PG's team approach employs attorneys, case managers, and finance associates to provide clients with services that allow them to be as independent and in the least restrictive setting as possible. Since 2005, PG has served hundreds of New Yorkers and has become a leading voice in a national, interdisciplinary effort to re-envision and strengthen guardianship policy.

Position Summary

The Compliance Attorney at Project Guardianship manages court-mandated reporting and filing requirements for a high-volume guardianship caseload (approximately 200 active matters), ensuring timely submissions, accurate documentation, and responsive follow-up with court examiners. The Compliance Officer reports to the Director of Legal Services and works independently while coordinating closely with program leadership, attorneys, finance staff, and pro bono counsel to meet statutory and court-ordered benchmarks, including annual reporting and final accountings for closed and deceased-client cases.

Key Responsibilities

• Track court compliance deadlines and required filings across the full guardianship caseload; maintain clear systems to monitor benchmarks, due dates, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare, file, and track oaths and designations; obtain commissions from the court for new cases.
• Coordinate the annual reporting process in partnership with the Chief Program Officer and the Director of Legal Services, including organizing, planning, and assembling materials for timely submission.
• Respond to inquiries and testimony requests from court examiners related to annual reports; coordinate with attorneys and internal teams to resolve deficiencies and provide supplemental documentation as needed.
• Prepare and file final reports and final accountings for closed matters and deceased-client cases, including gathering bank statements and other backup records (and, when necessary, assisting with obtaining records via subpoena).
• Obtain bonds when required and track bond renewal dates.
• Appear, as needed, on motions to settle final accountings and related compliance matters.
• Liaise with team attorneys, finance staff, and pro bono counsel to gather information required for court reporting and to complete legacy final accountings where records may be limited.
• Perform other legal administrative duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• At least 3 years of experience with compliance, court-mandated reports, and court filings; guardianship experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and diligence in follow-up and deadline tracking.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to coordinate effectively across legal, program, and finance teams.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel; Adobe Acrobat Pro; DocuSign; NYSCEF; and related case/estate management database systems.
• Ability to read and interpret financial and banking statements and to compile supporting records for accountings.
• Ability to travel to courts within the five boroughs, as required.

Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications (anticipated range: $80,000–$90,000).

Full benefits including health, dental, vision, retirement plan with employer match, long- and short-term disability, life insurance, and generous paid time-off policy.

To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter.

Project Guardianship explicitly requests that applicants not use AI tools to write their cover letters.

Project Guardianship is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.

Project Guardianship works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.

Full benefits including health, dental, vision, retirement plan with employer match, long- and short-term disability, life insurance, and generous paid time-off policy.