Legal Counsel

About the role

The selected candidate will be offered a salary between $92,525.00 - $106,404.00.

Responsibilities

• Respond to challenging and urgent legal concerns and issues raised by ACS staff and external entities.
• Provide a legal opinion on a broad array of practices, policies, and procedures related to care and custody of juvenile justice-involved youth, including providing legal guidance on nights/weekends when necessary.
• Act as liaison between DYFJ and Family Court Legal Services (FCLS) to draft and ensure appropriate court documents are filed timely, and appear in Family, Supreme and other NYC courts (if necessary) to represent DYFJ in matters related to custody of detained and/or placed youth.
• Conduct research and provide legal guidance in the development of DYFJ policies and protocols.
• Respond to subpoenas on behalf of the Agency for current and former DYFJ youths’ records and redacting information as required pursuant to relevant confidentiality laws.
• Attend meetings and provide legal technical assistance on matters spanning the spectrum of juvenile justice.
• Represent DYFJ’s interests and work with ACS’ Office of Intergovernmental Affairs in determining the impact and implications of proposed legislation on the divisions' operations and practices.
• Act as liaison between DYFJ and ACS’ Office of the General Counsel on various matters related to employment issues, confidentiality agreements, and records production.
• Liaise with FCLS on various legal issues, including timely remand modifications, aftercare revocations and extensions of placement as necessary.
• Assist executive staff with the development and drafting of key program materials, procedures, documents, plans, and reports.
• Provide other legal guidance to DYFJ staff as necessary.

Requirements

This position has been reposted. Previous applicants do not need to reapply.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
• Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).

Preferred Skills

• A strong background in the Family Court Act (particularly Article 3) along with Juvenile/Adolescent Offender proceedings, Social Services Law, litigation, Family Court and Criminal/Supreme Court adolescent proceedings.
• Familiarity with various NYC prosecutorial and legal defense organizations.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of the Agency’s records.
• Ability to teach and train.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with diverse constituencies at all levels of an organization.
• Previous experience in a District Attorney’s office or in legal defense of youth in adolescent criminal proceedings in Supreme Court strongly preferred.