Attorney Interne

City of New York • New York City, NY

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Social Services (DSS), comprising the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration and the Department of Homeless Services, provides essential benefits and works to prevent and address homelessness. DSS’s Office of Legal Affairs provides legal guidance, litigation support, and direct representation to DSS and its program areas in state and federal courts and administrative agencies.

The Agency Attorney Interne will work in the Child Support Enforcement Term of the Support and Lien Recovery Litigation Unit. The attorney represents the Commissioner of DSS in New York State Family Court matters involving paternity and support orders for children receiving public assistance. The position also involves legal work concerning support orders, arrears, Medicaid-dependent children, legal research, drafting, case records, and litigation strategy. The attorney is assigned to both the New York County and Richmond County Teams, with a work location in New York County, and must travel within New York City. Reassignment to other boroughs may be required. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with flex.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited United States law school as defined in Sections 520.3 or 520.5 of the Rules of the New York Court of Appeals, or admission to the New York State Bar.

Responsibilities

• Represent the DSS Commissioner in New York State Family Court litigation to establish paternity and support orders for children receiving public assistance.
• Appear at hearings and trials and seek penalties on support-petition violations.
• Handle medical support orders, modifications, and violations of orders involving dependent children receiving Medicaid.
• Provide legal counsel and review negotiated settlements of arrears owed to the Commissioner, and stipulate to support orders outside court through Office of Child Support Services initiatives and pilot programs.
• Conduct basic family-law research and draft standard motions and rebuttals.
• Draft legal documents and assist the Office of Child Support Services by researching statutes, case law, and other materials to resolve legal questions, interpret laws and regulations, and assess their implications for social-service delivery.
• Maintain case files and update case-status notes in the Office of Legal Affairs case-management system.
• Assess whether to present witnesses, the admissibility of evidence, and matters of legal strategy.
• Travel within New York City and, as needed, work in other boroughs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level