Senior Staff Attorney, Appeals, Family Defense

Under the supervision and guidance of the Litigation and Appeals Supervisor, the Senior Appellate Attorney will collaborate with family defense teams in Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx to pursue and defend interim and final appeals in family defense cases.

Responsibilities will include:

• Represent CFR clients in appeals from family court orders.  
• Participate in consultations with family defense teams and reviews of potential appeals to determine whether CFR will represent a client on an appeal.
• Review the appellate record to identify issues to be raised on appeal.
• Prepare briefs and orally argue appeals in the Appellate Divisions of the First and Second Departments.
• Prepare written work that is clear, concise, well-organized, accurate in citation, creative and persuasive.
• Communicate with clients and their family defense teams about the status of appeals and the impact of events in the family court case on appeals.
• Pursue writs (habeas and mandamus) and seek stays where appropriate.
• Stay abreast of appellate division rules and practices.
• Promptly maintain data in our case management system and client legal notes.
• Provide consultation with trial teams on novel issues of law.
• Provide occasional litigation and supervisory support and coverage at the trial court level.
• Participate in recruiting and planning for legal interns.

Qualifications

Candidates must be admitted to practice law in the State of New York and should have at least 3-5 years of relevant legal experience, including experience in family court abuse and neglect proceedings and appeals. The ideal candidate will have excellent written and oral advocacy skills, a proven ability to prioritize requests and meet deadlines, an ability to work collaboratively in teams, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.