STUDENT LEGAL SPECIALIST - FAMILY COURT

This position is applicable to law school students only.

About the role

The NYC Law Department is seeking currently matriculating law students for the position of Student Legal Specialist in its Family Court Division. Under supervision, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, the Student Legal Specialist may perform a variety of legal support duties.

Responsibilities

• Manage discovery/caseload through various stages of legal proceedings.
• Assist attorneys in the Family Court intake office with telephone inquiries, copying forms, rescheduling, address verifying, preparing, copying, and filing petitions, motions, orders for family court minutes, orders for 911 and other electronic recordings.
• Escort witnesses, pick up and distribute temporary orders of protection, subpoenas, warrants, probation referral forms, and dispositions.
• Maintain case tracking using the Law Manager program and notify police officers and chemists using the NYPD Appearance Control system.
• Schedule appointments for witnesses to provide statements or sign release forms.
• Appear in Court under attorney supervision pursuant to the student practice order before Family Court Judges on juvenile delinquency matters at all stages.
• Interview and take statements from witnesses and victims.
• Open files, determine required documents, draft requests to secure records, arrange for service of process, and ensure evidence is received within deadlines.
• Assist staff attorneys in conducting preliminary warrant investigations and prepare warrant reports for filing in Court, documenting efforts with NYPD detectives.
• Conduct investigations to locate respondents using DMV records, Lexis Advance, and search engines.
• Assist with legal research.
• Prepare and file Notices of Entry, Notices of Appeal, and Requests for Appellate Division Intervention.
• Provide front desk coverage, answer telephones, and respond to inquiries using LawManager, Child Support Management System (CSMS), and Universal Case Management System (UCMS).
• Notify attorneys via Outlook when witnesses, police officers, or agency representatives arrive.
• Sort, distribute, retrieve, file, and maintain mail and case files, including archiving overage respondent files using Excel and labeling/boxing files for storage.

Requirements

• Currently matriculating law student.
• Position is open to qualified persons with a disability eligible for the 55-a Program. Indicate interest at the top of your resume and cover letter.

Physical activities and environmental conditions

• Lifting and carrying boxes and heavy files.
• Climbing stairs.
• Traveling throughout the City on all types of public transportation and/or walking in all kinds of weather, often while carrying files.

Pay

$24.84 – $28.57 per hour.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County.