Litigation Supervisor, Family Defense, Staten Island

CENTER FOR FAMILY REPRESENTATION•New York, NY

About The Position

CFR is committed to providing robust supervision to program staff, and we have a need for a Litigation Supervisor in Staten Island. Under the supervision of borough Co-Directors, the Litigation Supervisor’s primary responsibility will be to supervise four to five staff attorneys with varying degrees of experience who work in interdisciplinary teams with social work, family advocate, parent advocate and paralegal staff to represent parents in Article 10, Termination of Parental Rights, and related proceedings and related proceedings. Litigation Supervisors are responsible for helping attorneys develop mastery of all aspects of litigation as well as in reinforcing and building upon skills and values introduced in initial and ongoing training. Litigation Supervisors write professional development reviews, periodically coordinate case practice and attorney workgroup meetings, and from time to time, develop practice materials useful for staff at CFR. Litigation Supervisors also work with family court staff and staff from other agencies, including ACS, to address substantive and operational issues that affect a large court-based practice. The Litigation Supervisor will work with other Supervisors and Senior Staff as well as with the Director of Litigation, Director of Holistic Practice, Parent Advocate Director, Training Supervisor, Development, HR staff, and the Executive Director to inform decisions on strategic planning and overall program development and improvement for the entire agency. In those areas, activities may include administration, hiring and recruitment, training, policy work, development, progressive discipline, fellowships, and appeals. All Supervisors are expected to demonstrate an aptitude for productive problem-solving, a commitment to CFR’s DEI work, and a desire to contribute to the stewardship of CFR. This includes the ability to positively and productively contribute to the work culture at CFR in communications and work with staff at all levels, including progressive discipline if necessary. Candidates for supervisor also need to be well organized in order to work efficiently and effectively beyond their own caseload and to effectively supervise multiple staff with possibly varying levels of experience.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least four to six years of experience in Article 10/termination of parental rights family court proceedings
Candidates must have strong interpersonal communication skills, demonstrated teamwork skills, and an aptitude for problem solving and management of staff
Candidates need to be well organized in order to work efficiently and effectively beyond their own caseload and to effectively supervise multiple staff with possibly varying levels of experience

Nice To Haves

Prior supervisory experience is preferred
Experience with organizational or program development, training, and ancillary proceedings (i.e. custody) are desirable

Responsibilities

Supervise four to five staff attorneys
Helping attorneys develop mastery of all aspects of litigation
Reinforcing and building upon skills and values introduced in initial and ongoing training
Write professional development reviews
Periodically coordinate case practice and attorney workgroup meetings
Develop practice materials useful for staff at CFR
Work with family court staff and staff from other agencies, including ACS, to address substantive and operational issues that affect a large court-based practice
Work with other Supervisors and Senior Staff as well as with the Director of Litigation, Director of Holistic Practice, Parent Advocate Director, Training Supervisor, Development, HR staff, and the Executive Director to inform decisions on strategic planning and overall program development and improvement for the entire agency
Activities may include administration, hiring and recruitment, training, policy work, development, progressive discipline, fellowships, and appeals
Demonstrate an aptitude for productive problem-solving
Demonstrate a commitment to CFR’s DEI work
Demonstrate a desire to contribute to the stewardship of CFR
Positively and productively contribute to the work culture at CFR in communications and work with staff at all levels, including progressive discipline if necessary