Litigation Director

Children's Law Center•New York, NY

1d•$185,000 - $205,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Litigation Director leads the Children’s Law Center’s interdisciplinary, client-centered legal program and ensures excellence in representing children in Family Court proceedings. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director oversees all aspects of the trial practice, including litigation strategy, practice standards, skills development, and supervision of Borough Legal Directors. The role also oversees the pro bono and special project supervisor and supports affirmative litigation and amicus briefs as appropriate. The Director provides strategic direction and day-to-day support to legal staff, builds the organization’s capacity and reputation in child advocacy, and promotes high-quality representation and interdisciplinary client service. The position works with organizational leaders and staff on talent management, training, case-management data, compliance, budgets, and operational planning. It also represents CLC with courts, community stakeholders, government agencies, and funders.

Requirements

Admission to practice law in New York State.
At least eight years of relevant legal and litigation experience, including knowledge of Family Court practice and policy, custody, domestic violence, and child welfare law.
At least three years of supervisory experience at staff and managerial levels, including coaching and counseling employees on performance and employee-relations matters.
Understanding of trauma-informed legal representation of children and interest in working in a busy public-interest organization engaged in individual representation and systemic advocacy for children.
Demonstrated advocacy and interviewing skills, and strong mediation and settlement skills.
Experience working on interdisciplinary teams through a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging lens.
Ability to lead and support organizational change.
Proficiency with case-management systems, databases, spreadsheets, word processing, and email.
Creative and strategic mindset, with the ability to translate vision into action plans.
Proven leadership, sound judgment, and strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, including handling difficult situations effectively.
Ability to identify and address issues of concern to clients and staff.
Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, including prompt communication across organizational levels and the ability to prioritize competing demands.
Ability to foster collaboration among leaders and staff.
Excellent time-management, project-management, and organizational skills; ability to work independently, prioritize, process information, and manage multiple tasks and decisions under tight deadlines.
Ability to conduct presentations and trainings and serve as a designated point person.
Ability to exercise discretion and preserve confidential information.
Passion, commitment, confidence, self-motivation, a sense of humor, and ability to thrive in a challenging environment.
CLC will consider equivalent combinations of knowledge, skills, and experience in meeting minimum qualifications.

Nice To Haves

Admission to federal courts.
Prior nonprofit experience.
Proficiency in languages other than English.

Responsibilities

Help develop and implement initiatives that strengthen organizational culture and align staff with CLC’s mission and values, with a strategic focus on vulnerable children.
Supervise, develop, mentor, support, and evaluate the Borough Legal Directors.
Develop litigation strategies that include children’s voices and achieve their expressed wishes; provide trial assistance or representation in particularly complex cases.
Support compliance with organizational policies and procedures and applicable court procedures and regulations.
With the Executive Director and HR Director, oversee the trial team’s talent-management lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, career development, succession planning, and learning.
Partner with the Executive Director and Executive Team to identify, create, fund, and support approaches addressing staff and client needs, including educational, emotional, and community resources and the Children’s Voice Project.
Ensure collaboration between the Legal Directors team and other members of the Leadership team so staff requests are reviewed, addressed, and communicated promptly and accurately.
With support from the Managing Attorney, lead CLC’s new-lawyer and Continuing Legal Education training programs.
Work with the Senior Director of Operations and Borough Legal Directors to maintain accurate case-management numbers and provide reports to organizational leaders, staff, the Board, and funders.
Use case-management data to identify trends affecting clients and staff.
Partner with the Executive Director and other Directors to represent CLC to judges, Family Court and community stakeholders, and government and private funders.
Collaborate with finance, banking, CFO, development, technology, archival, facilities, and case-management professionals to ensure effective use of CLC’s budget.
Understand, support, and communicate contract-compliance expectations of the Office of Court Administration, Family Court, and Fiscal department to trial leadership.
Promote respectful communication among staff and respond to client, staff, and court needs.
Collaborate with the Executive Director, Senior Director of Administration, and Board of Directors on CLC’s multiyear budget and operational plan.
Maintain professional skills and knowledge through conferences, educational opportunities, publications, professional networks, and professional organizations, and provide appropriate updates to Leadership and Legal staff.