Attorney Interne

New York City, NY • New York City, NY

118d • $83,388

About The Position

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services and provides subsidized childcare vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement, and programs for youth in the community. The Division of Family Court Legal Services (FCLS) is responsible for representing ACS in child neglect and abuse cases, juvenile delinquency proceedings and other child welfare proceedings in the New York City Family Courts. FCLS attorneys work collaboratively with Child Protective Specialists, Case Planners, and other child welfare specialists to further the agency's mission on behalf of children and families. FCLS is a legal office with attorneys in each of the five NYC boroughs. Each unit is led by a Borough Chief and a team of other supervisors. Under the direction of these supervisors, attorneys handle their own caseloads and are provided with regular supervision and support. FCLS attorneys are in court daily litigating on behalf of ACS, handling cases from initial filing through trial, disposition and permanency hearings.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Knowledge and understanding of New York State child welfare laws
• May 2025 law school graduates must be registered for the July 2025 UBE, the August 2025 MPRE and the September 2025 NYLE if candidate has not already passed the NYLE and MPRE during law school
• All other applicants should be admitted to the NYS bar or eligible for and awaiting admission to the NYS bar

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Child Protective caseworkers to identify and analyze legal problems and issues
• Draft legal documents, including pleadings, motions and memoranda of law and fact by following generally acceptable legal procedures, forms, and techniques in order to meet agency needs, goals and objectives
• Represent the agency in Family Court on all aspects of child protective proceedings and other judicial proceedings including juvenile delinquency and Close to Home matters
• Interview witnesses and other relevant parties to the litigation to determine admissibility of various types of evidence
• Prepare and maintain case files and documents in advance of court appearances
• Conduct legal research and regularly review relevant case laws and regulations to support legal opinions
• Counsel Child Protective caseworkers and agency case planners on issues relating to permanency and the well-being of children in foster care

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• Potential for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees