Senior Staff Attorney, Family Defense Practice, Bronx

CFR designed the Senior Staff Attorney position to create additional professional development opportunities for experienced staff attorneys that go beyond direct client representation and case management and to provide CFR with additional supervisory, administrative, and program support. Candidates for Senior Staff Attorney should be able to demonstrate strong litigation and client counseling skills, the ability to model best practices, and a willingness and aptitude for taking on an additional leadership and managerial role at CFR. Professional development opportunities will include supervision of staff and interns and could also include increased training opportunities and responsibilities, recruitment and management of CFR’s legal internships, assisting in grant management, and working with supervisors and executive staff on strategic planning and overall management and improvement of the practice. All senior staff are expected to demonstrate an aptitude for productive problem-solving, a commitment to CFR’s current 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 where necessary. Candidates for senior staff also need to be well organized in order to work efficiently and effectively beyond their own caseload.

Responsibilities May Include:

• Direct supervision of one to two staff attorneys and holding/writing professional development reviews for any directly supervised staff;
• Meaningful participation in routine and special supervision meetings;
• Recruitment and programming for law interns and/or fellows and coordinating assignments of interns and/or fellows;
• Assistance with training and technical assistance for new and existing staff and for outside participants and professionals;
• Representing CFR in external policy efforts, including serving on committees, task forces, etc. and helping to inform CFR’s policy priorities;
• Input and assistance with development efforts;
• Coordination of special projects/initiatives;
• Providing second seat opportunities for new and less experienced attorneys, acting as lead attorney with newer attorneys, and second seating on particular cases;
• Intake/sup-of-the-day supervision in court;
• Periodically leading Case Practice and Attorney Workgroup meetings;
• Additional writing, i.e. appeals, practice memos, and development materials;
• Back-up to supervisors on writing assignments and case appearances with non-admitted attorneys and/or less experienced attorneys;
• Input and assistance with internal administrative routines and protocols as well as participation in CFR-wide committees and initiatives, including those related to diversity and hiring/recruitment of staff.

Eligibility and Qualifications:

Candidates for the Senior Staff Attorney position must have at least three years of experience representing indigent parents in Article 10/TPR family court proceedings and/or in related work with the family regulation system, court systems, or other relevant advocacy roles. Candidates should be able to demonstrate strong programmatic skills, the ability to model best practices, and a willingness and aptitude for taking on an additional leadership role at CFR. Candidates for Senior Staff also need to be well organized in order to work efficiently and effectively beyond their own caseload.

Salary

Annualized starting salary (3 years of experience):

$100,800 (L3) - $124,900 (L13)

Apply

Candidates should apply through CFR’s Career Portal.

Application Thought/Writing Exercise Prompt

In lieu of a cover letter, applicants should respond, in 500 words or less, to one of the following prompts:

1. CFR's Core Purpose is to ensure that every family has an equal and meaningful opportunity to stay together, by empowering parents to work through their challenges and build a positive future for their children. What role should a supervisor play in helping CFR to meet this purpose?
2. What role should public defenders play in the parent-led movement to dismantle the family policing system?
3. Describe 3 key characteristics of your supervisory style.