Staff Attorney

Staff Attorney

  • Full Time
  • Entry Level
  • Applications have closed
Job Category: Policy/Advocacy
Location: Queens
Job Sectors: Other
Salary Range:

The Center for Family Representation, Inc., (CFR), an innovative law and policy organization, expects to have openings for admitted attorneys in our Manhattan & Queens Family Defense Practices.  CFR’s mission is to ensure that every family that can remain safely together has the opportunity to do so.  We provide legal and social work assistance to parents whose children are at risk of foster care placement; we train more than 500 professionals each year in the city, state, and around the country; and we advocate at the city, state and national level for policies that promote parent engagement and family preservation.  CFR has been the primary provider of legal services to indigent parents in Manhattan Family Court since 2007 and in Queens Family Court since 2011. Every year, CFR serves more than 2,000 families in New York City.

 

How To Apply:

Applicants should e-mail a cover letter, résumé, writing sample and three references (including phone and email contacts) to [email protected].  Please write “Staff Attorney Applicant” in the subject line. No phone inquiries please.

The Center for Family Representation, Inc., (CFR), an innovative law and policy organization, has openings for admitted attorneys of varying levels of experience in both our Manhattan and Queens Family Defense Practices. 

 

Responsibilities: 

    • Representing parents in Family Court who are respondents in Article 10 and Termination of Parental Rights proceedings, as part of CFR’s interdisciplinary legal teams. CFR’s teams are comprised of attorneys, social work staff, paralegals and parent advocates (parents who have successfully reunified with their children).
    • Pursue interim appeals on behalf of CFR’s clients.
    • Providing our clients with high quality legal defense, objectives of the teams include keeping children out of foster care, shortening lengths of stay for children in foster care, promoting quality visiting arrangements and insuring that families receive services that are well-tailored to expediting safe and lasting reunification.
    • Keep case data and client legal notes and files up to date.
    • Staff Attorneys may also participate in CFR’s policy initiatives, supervise law school interns, present to community-based agencies about our model and write final appeals.
    • Participate in intensive, interdisciplinary training on CFR’s Cornerstone Advocacy model, child welfare, family court, client interviewing, and other critical skills.

Qualifications and Skills

    • Admitted to practice law in the State of New York
    • One to two years prior experience in Article 10 and/or Termination of Parental Rights proceedings is preferred
    • Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, an ability to work as part of a team and a desire to share in both the exhilaration and challenges of a growing endeavor
    • Applicants who are bilingual in Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply
    • Applicants’ experience with public benefits, housing, criminal defense and immigration is desirable

Report to:

    • Litigation Supervisor

Compensation and Benefits:

 

    • Salary will be commensurate with experience
    • Excellent benefits package that includes full healthcare benefits, retirement plan, and commuter benefits
    • Time off that includes: Personal, Sick, and Vacation Days
    • Free lunch for staff meetings
    • Mindfulness and Meditation Sessions
    • Resiliency Building Groups

Attorneys joining CFR can expect CFR is dedicated to providing ongoing professional development in best practices in all these areas in a variety of training forums for all staff.

 

Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

 

CFR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Center for Family Representation

  • 40 Worth Street Suite 605
  • New York, New York 10013
  • United States
  • Phone: 2126910951