Attorney-in-Charge, Civil Citywide Units

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

12d • $205,000 - $220,000

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice is seeking an experienced and talented
lawyer with a deep commitment to public interest leadership, practice, and
policy. This Attorney-in-Charge of Civil Citywide Units will join a dedicated
team of staff across all five boroughs who are representing NYC residents across
a broad spectrum of specialties through our Economic Equities Project (Community
Development Unit, Consumer Law Unit, Predatory Lending and Foreclosure Project,
and Tax Law Unit), Education Law Practice, Employment Law Unit, Government
Benefits & Disability Advocacy Project, Family Law/DV Unit, and Health Law Unit.

The Attorney-in-Charge will provide coordination and support to these units and
supervise the Directors of these units. The Attorney-in-Charge of Civil Citywide
Units reports to the Chief Attorney of the Civil Practice. They will be
responsible for the smooth and effective running of the Citywide Units,
oversight of the grants supporting these units, and providing legal and
organizational leadership. This role also includes participation in
Practice-wide management discussions and decision-making, and maintaining
relationships with stakeholders in the legal, courts, and service communities,
as well as with funders.

The Attorney-in-Charge will play a critical role in contributing to the overall
management and success of The Legal Aid Society. The successful candidate will
be a strategic thinker and collaborative leader committed to advancing the
organization’s mission and strengthening its impact. This individual will
inspire and motivate staff, foster innovation, and champion best practices
across the Civil Practice and the organization at large. They will actively
engage in shaping organizational priorities, scaling programs to meet emerging
needs, and positioning The Legal Aid Society as a leader in civil legal services
and social justice. The Attorney-in-Charge will demonstrate vision,
adaptability, and a willingness to grow within the role, serving as a trusted
advisor and thought leader in the legal community.

As a key member of the organization’s leadership, the AIC will help shape
strategic priorities, mentor emerging leaders, and build bridges with
communities most impacted by the criminal legal system. This is a unique
opportunity to lead with purpose, advocate with integrity, and make a lasting
impact on the lives of New Yorkers.

Requirements

• Admission to NYS Bar
• 10+ years of legal work experience, at least 5 of which involved supervising and mentoring attorneys
• Capable of working in many different forums
• Knowledge in various practice areas within civil legal services practice
• Excellent oral and written advocacy skills
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law and civil legal services
• Demonstrated commitment to policy advocacy and administrative reform
• Demonstrated commitment to addressing fundamental issues of poverty and justice within a comprehensive civil legal services model of representation.
• Commitment to exploring alternative approaches for legal practice
• Ability to work in and value a collaborative team model
• Ability to provide meaningful performance feedback for professional development including having difficult conversations and resolving sensitive employee issues.
• Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of seven years of legal practice with a specialization in one or more of the subject practice areas preferred
• Excellent litigation skills and experience litigating individual and group cases
• Grant-reporting and fundraising experience preferred
• Experience successfully managing a high-performing team of mixed professionals including legal, non-legal, social work, and/or investigators

Responsibilities

• Support the needs of the entire organization by providing essential services or coordinating key initiatives.
• Lead organizational and culture development for the unit
• Supervise and mentor Directors
• Monitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client service
• Respond to client, community and staff concerns
• Drive efficiency and optimize workflows to support company-wide objectives.
• Manage initiatives that impact multiple departments, focusing on outcomes and results rather than just methods.
• Adapt quickly to changing needs and requests from various colleagues and
• Proactively identify and resolve potential issues that may impact department and organizational effectiveness.
• Evaluate needs and identify necessary resources to address the needs of the Citywide units
• Identify, delegate, and document work responsibilities, roles, and procedures to meet the mission of the organization.
• Schedule employee hours, assign work, approve time off and remote work schedule requests following the guidance of LAS policy and procedures.
• Attend management meetings, participate in management trainings, and utilize current employment policies, practices and guidance as provided by management and Human
• Implement management and supervision practices that affirmatively support equity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Supervise direct reports in setting performance standards, provide routine feedback as well as coaching/counseling, and issue disciplinary action as needed.
• Identify and provide training and development opportunities and ensure mandatory trainings are
• Resolve employee conflict, complaints, and address union concerns, with guidance from Human
• Assist with the fundraising for and development, implementation and reporting of programs
• Provide oversight on all grant reporting from Citywide Units
• Assist with planning and conducting citywide and statewide coalition meetings and task forces
• Coordinate with Law Reform Unit in the development of impact and/or affirmative litigation
• Coordinate with Law Reform Unit in the development of advocacy strategies
• Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy, and supervise the implementation of legal strategies
• Provide oversight of pro bono initiatives
• Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials and the courts
• Represent the Civil Practice and The Legal Aid Society in the community
• Other duties as assigned
• Participate in continuous professional
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment.
• Other duties as

Benefits

• health insurance
• paid vacation
• disability
• life insurance
• qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed