Supervising Senior Attorney, Civil Rights

Empire Justice Center•Rochester, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Empire Justice Center is a statewide legal services organization serving marginalized low-income individuals and families across New York through direct legal representation, impact litigation, legislative advocacy, and training. The Supervising Senior Attorney will join the Civil Rights practice group and lead and conduct civil rights litigation and impact cases, with a focus on disability, LGBTQ, and special education issues. The role also involves collaborating with practice group attorneys and external partners to advance civil rights and contribute to the organization’s strategic vision for expanding access to justice for low-income New Yorkers. The attorney will maintain a broad civil rights caseload while supervising, mentoring, and training attorneys, paralegals, and interns. The position works with the Managing Attorney and assigned supervisor to coordinate supervision, manage work plans and grant deliverables, and support the practice group’s professional development. It represents the organization in coalitions, bar activities, and community settings, and contributes to trainings and organizational planning. The role requires use of legal technology and case-management systems, maintenance of accurate case records and data security, and attention to developments in legal technology. Travel to Albany or Rochester offices, statewide offices, and court locations is required as needed. The position is eligible to request hybrid work under organizational policy.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school or an equivalent degree from a country outside the United States.
Admission to practice law in New York, or eligibility for New York Bar admission at hiring; admission is required within one year of hire.
At least 10 years of relevant litigation experience, including substantial experience in complex civil litigation.
Experience practicing in New York state courts and federal courts, including one or more U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, or Western Districts of New York.
Experience supervising attorneys and/or legal staff in a litigation context.
Demonstrated commitment to expanding the rights of low-income people and advancing social justice through individual and systemic litigation.
Commitment to advancing the civil rights of low-income and marginalized individuals and to client-centered advocacy.
Experience and commitment working with marginalized communities; comfort and commitment working with people from marginalized communities.
Demonstrated litigation experience across all stages, including representing clients in state court, federal court, or administrative agency proceedings.
Superior legal writing and research skills, including evaluating complex cases and drafting and editing complex briefs, motions, pleadings, and appellate submissions.
Strong verbal advocacy skills, including the ability to conduct oral arguments in trial and appellate courts.
Effective supervisory and mentorship skills, including the ability to lead, motivate, and develop attorneys, paralegals, and legal staff.
Ability to develop creative litigation strategies and identify systemic legal issues suitable for impact litigation.
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills and ability to build and maintain partnerships with colleagues, co-counsel, clients, community organizations, and advocacy partners.
Proficiency with legal technology, including Microsoft 365, e-discovery platforms, legal research databases, document management systems, artificial intelligence tools, and litigation support software.
Ability to manage multiple cases and priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Ability and willingness to travel to statewide offices and court locations as necessary and collaborate through video conferencing and remote communication tools.
Proficiency with Adobe and other document management systems, including managing appointments, calendars, documents, and collaborative workflows.

Nice To Haves

Appellate practice experience before the Second Circuit or New York appellate courts is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and conduct civil rights litigation and impact cases, particularly involving disability, education, and LGBTQ issues.
Maintain a broad civil rights caseload and represent clients in litigation and other proceedings.
Supervise and provide feedback on the work of attorneys, paralegals, and interns to support quality, accuracy, and strategic effectiveness.
Mentor and coach practice group staff and support their professional development.
Collaborate with the Managing Attorney to coordinate and provide consistent supervision across practice group focus areas.
Identify systemic issues and develop opportunities for impact litigation and class action lawsuits.
Conduct and attend continuing legal education sessions and community trainings.
Use Legal Server and other case-management systems to maintain case records, time entries, and outcome data, and supervise others’ use of those systems.
Comply with organizational policies and procedures and New York Rules of Professional Conduct governing litigation, case approval, and attorneys’ fees.
Identify and pursue attorneys’ fees where available.
Use and help improve legal technology, including Microsoft 365, e-discovery platforms, legal research databases, document management systems, artificial intelligence tools, and litigation support software.
Stay current on legal technology developments and implement ideas to improve organizational technology use in litigation.
Maintain data security practices when handling sensitive client information.
Participate in practice group and staff meetings and organizational planning as appropriate.
Represent Empire Justice Center in external coalitions, bar association activities, and community settings.
Develop and/or participate in staff trainings and professional development activities.
Work with the assigned supervisor, participate in regular supervision meetings, and contribute to work plans and grant deliverable management.
Travel to statewide offices and court locations as necessary and collaborate with colleagues using video conferencing and remote communication tools.
Perform administrative and other support-related duties and other duties as assigned.