Description:
Description:Under the leadership of the Borough Director, the staff attorney will work to effectuate the mission of CLC to provide children with a strong and effective voice in legal proceedings. The staff attorney will ensure that CLC maintains high standards of representation and client services. In collaboration with paralegals, social workers and a writing unit, staff attorneys maintain their own caseloads, taking responsibility for zealous representation from intake through trial.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
- Conduct interviews with clients and other individuals;
- Handle court appearances;
- 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;
- Properly evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a case;
- 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;
- Communicate with other disciplines in a timely manner, as necessary;
- With supervisory support, evaluate conflicting demands and prioritize workload;
- Regularly and appropriately respond to client, community and staff concerns;
- Attend training sessions pertinent to practice; and
- Perform other duties as requested.
Position Requirements:
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
- Demonstrated experience teaming with colleagues to find solutions to complex situations
- 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.
