Director of Litigation & Special Projects

Position Description Director of Litigation and Special Projects Youth Represent is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven attorney to join our team as Director of Litigation and Special Projects. This new role will focus on expanding access to justice and serving young people impacted by the criminal legal system in New York. This leader will help shape our approach through a combination of targeted strategic litigation and the creation of innovative pilot projects and partnerships to develop advocacy in emerging areas of practice. They will also play a key role in developing staff growth and mentoring interns and fellows who serve with us. Youth Represent is dedicated to using direct legal services, policy advocacy, community education and strategic litigation to advance change at the individual and collective level, centering young people in the work we do together. Through holistic legal representation, integrated mental health services, and advocacy and youth development, we help young people navigate some of the most complex and inequitable systems in New York. This new role is an opportunity to help shape the next chapter of Youth Represent’s impact and innovation through strategic partnership. Overview of the Position The Director of Litigation and Special Projects will bring a deep understanding of the legal issues facing young people who have contact with the criminal legal system. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Litigation and Special Projects will lead Youth Represent’s dynamic strategic legal practice, including amicus work, new projects with our talented legal staff and volunteers (pro bono counsel or a law school clinic), and impact litigation to advance legal strategies responsive to emerging issues. As a member of YR’s Management Team, they will attend regular meetings, contribute to organizational strategy, foster cross-functional collaboration, and help shape YR’s continued growth and success. This role calls for an entrepreneurial leader who is eager to shape the future of the Litigation and Special Projects portfolio. They will cultivate strong internal and external partnerships, identify opportunities to expand our impact, and create collaborative approaches to emerging areas of our work. Primary Responsibilities Include Strategic Litigation [20%] Partnering with plaintiffs’ co-counsel to advance Youth Represent’s existing high-impact systemic litigation; and, Collaborating with our Director of Policy to lead the organization’s appellate amicus strategy to protect and advance young people’s rights in New York State. Partnership and Pilot Project Development [40%] Working with a law school clinic and/or pro bono law firm partner to expand access to legal services to young adults, based on emergent legal issues we identify in our Community Legal Services practice and partnerships; Working with law firm partners to build and cultivate partnerships and volunteer opportunities to advance our work and expand capacity to provide individual legal services; and, Working with the Executive Director and the legal team to envision and operationalize pilots and partnerships. Legal Training and Learning [15%] Working with the Executive Director to create an annual litigation learning cycle for attorneys and paralegals, responsive to our practice, client needs and professional development goals; Working with the Director of Community Legal Services and legal team to support onboarding for new team members; Working with the Management Team to explore and develop training in relevant areas of law, policy and youth development for all YR staff; and, Working with colleagues to develop trainings for external partners to share best practices from our holistic, youth-focused practice. Management and Supervision [25%] In partnership and coordination with the Director of Community Legal Services, co-manage a small staff of attorney and paralegal team members working on direct legal services, strategic litigation, and special projects; Hold regular supervisory meetings to discuss open cases, challenges, strategies and professional development goals; and, Supervise attorneys in court, administrative hearings, school suspension hearings as needed. #J-18808-Ljbffr National Legal Aid & Defender Association