Assistant Borough Chief - Family Court: Juvenile Justice
About The Position
The New York City Law Department is seeking an admitted attorney to serve as Assistant Borough Chief in the Family Court Division’s Juvenile Justice practice in its Queens Office. The practice handles cases involving youth under age 18 charged with acts that would be crimes if committed by adults. The Assistant Borough Chief reports directly to a Deputy Borough Chief and helps lead the practice by supervising legal and support staff, promoting high-quality legal work, and advancing the Division’s mission. The Assistant Borough Chief supervises and trains attorneys, provides legal, strategic, and procedural guidance, and maintains an active caseload. The role also involves reviewing attorneys’ work, observing courtroom practice, supporting office initiatives and administrative duties, and developing and implementing borough- and division-wide policies, procedures, and protocols. The Assistant Borough Chief builds relationships with community stakeholders, maintains a presence in community neighborhoods, attends or presents external trainings, and shares legal and practice updates with staff. The position participates in staff performance assessments, represents the Division at interagency meetings, and serves as a liaison to city and statewide partners, including NYPD, the Department of Probation, and ACS. The role participates in a citywide rotation of night and weekend court assignments. The position is suited to attorneys interested in public service and supporting the success and well-being of New York City’s youth, families, and communities. Following orientation, attorneys may choose between limited, irregular work-from-home days or a pilot program permitting remote work on two set days per week, subject to Division approval and staffing needs. In-person obligations take precedence over remote days, and remote participants must maintain one designated remote work location.
Requirements
- Graduate of an ABA-accredited law school.
- Admitted and in good standing in New York.
- At least five years of relevant experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in delinquency and criminal law.
- Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work effectively with court stakeholders, partner agencies, community groups, and diverse staff.
- Commitment to the Family Court Division’s mission and to improving outcomes for children, families, and communities.
Nice To Haves
- Supervisory or managerial experience in Family Court or comparable settings.
- Investigation or trial experience in juvenile delinquency.
- Experience leading interagency collaborations or community-based initiatives.
- Demonstrated success in staff development and performance management.
Responsibilities
- Supervise and train attorneys and provide legal, strategic, and procedural guidance to attorneys and support professionals.
- Maintain an active caseload while reviewing attorneys’ work and conducting courtroom observations.
- Assist Borough Chiefs with office initiatives and administrative duties.
- Help develop and implement borough- and division-wide policies, procedures, and protocols.
- Develop and maintain relationships with community stakeholders and maintain a presence in community neighborhoods.
- Attend and/or present external trainings to identify emerging practice issues.
- Present legal issues, practice updates, and changes to statutes and case law at staff meetings.
- Participate in performance assessments of staff.
- Represent the Division at interagency meetings and serve as liaison to city and statewide partners, including NYPD, the Department of Probation, and ACS.
- Participate in a citywide rotation of night and weekend court assignments.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
