Description
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo is seeking a Managing Attorney for our Attorneys for Children Unit who will perform a variety of legal, administrative and supervisory activities to successfully manage all functions in the Attorneys for Children Unit.
The Attorneys for Children Unit represents children in a broad variety of child welfare and juvenile justice matters, ensuring them a voice in proceedings that affect their lives and life outcomes. The scope of matters may include juvenile delinquency, neglect and abuse, persons in need of supervision, permanency hearings, termination of parental rights, voluntary placements, surrenders, child custody, and other related proceedings. The AFC Unit practice is conducted primarily in Erie County Family Court but may also require appearances in related matters in other judicial or administrative forums, as directed by supervising attorneys.
Why Join Us?
- Desirable Work-Life Balance: Balance your professional and personal life effectively.
- Competitive Pay: Earn a salary ranging from $121,000 to $144,000, commensurate with your experience.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
- Generous vacation, personal, and sick time.
- Paid parenthood leave plan
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, supplemental term life insurance, and other voluntary insurance offerings
- Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, and a flexible spending account.
- Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness: Qualifying employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manages daily unit operations in the Erie County Family Court, including ensuring appropriate attorney staffing and coverage for representation of clients ages newborn to 21 in all court proceedings.
- Assist Chief Attorney in monitoring and managing the performance of the staff attorneys and their representation of clients/interaction with clients. Partner with Chief Attorney to provide regular performance feedback, including discipline when required, and conduct annual performance evaluations.
- Conduct regular (preferably weekly) case review and work review meetings with staff attorneys.
- Supports staff attorneys’ handling of their cases, including, but not limited to: proper opening, updating, and closing case files; conducting a regular review of status of cases, client contact and caseloads using the case management system; periodically reviewing pleadings, court filings and submissions, correspondence and communications prepared by staff attorneys, assisting staff attorneys with complex cases; and any human-resources related issue that arises.
- Engage in regular mentoring, training, and coaching of unit attorneys and support staff.
- Provide leadership by example, including maintaining a presence in the courtroom and carrying an appropriate caseload, which is to be established in goal setting meetings and in keeping with the scope of management duties.
- Assist the Chief Attorney in developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure effective onboarding of new staff; efficient operation of the unit; that the unit’s cases are handled in accordance with ethical standards; and that clients are provided with the highest quality representation.
- Assist Chief Attorney and Human Resources in handling employee grievances in accordance with the collective bargaining agreements, as requested.
- Assist Chief Attorney in coordinating outreach opportunities and arranging staffing for outreach.
- Confer with the Chief Attorney on a regular basis concerning the operations of the unit, including personnel matters, caseloads, demands for services, and any other significant matters affecting the unit.
- Assist the Chief Attorney and Deputy Executive Director – Civil Practice in efforts to seek new funding, facilitate marketing, and establish new outreach opportunities.
- Assist Chief Attorney and Deputy Executive Director – Civil Practice with preparation of grants and funding applications, project planning, project execution, and monitoring project performance.
- Work with Human Resources, Chief Attorney, Deputy Executive Director – Civil Practice, and Manager of Social Work and Support Staff to make staffing decisions, including job offers, assignments and terminations.
- Assist Manager of Social Work and Support Staff to increase the knowledge, skills and efficiency of the support staff.
- Actively promote an atmosphere that will enable employees to work cooperatively and efficiently for the benefit of clients.
- Maintain a positive relationship with staff attorneys and support staff. Participate in regular unit staff meetings (at least monthly) to review activities, share ideas, communicate changes, and address staff concerns.
- Respond to client concerns and/or complaints.
- Respond to judges and court personnel regarding operations of the unit.
- Maintain thorough and up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws and serve as a resource for unit staff.
- Participate in the overall management of the Bureau, in part by attending scheduled management meetings, other meetings as needed with Deputy Executive Director and Chief Attorney on topics related to the operation of the AFC, Civil and/or criminal units; participate, as assigned, as a member of the management team for union negotiations, labor- management committees or to address employee grievances.
- Follow Bureau policies regarding expenditures for the unit and maintain awareness of current financial circumstances of the unit.
- Participate in community activities relevant to the work of the unit. Establish and maintain relationships with courts, agencies, Bar Association committees, schools (including law schools, graduate schools, undergraduate schools, and high schools), and other community groups relevant to the work of the unit. Participate in community activities as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Attorney and/or Deputy Executive Director.
Employment Standards: Active membership in the State Bar of New York; and,
- At least five years of experience as an attorney active in the field of Family Court practice, preferably with a substantial focus on juvenile/youth justice, as well as experience in child welfare representation;
- Superior oral and written advocacy skills;
- Strong interpersonal skills;
- Recognized organizational skills;
- Computer proficiency, including, but not limited to, word processing and case management systems and interfaces;
Additional Requirements: Reliable transportation and license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State or demonstrated capacity to meet the transportation needs of the position.
Knowledge of: New State York Family Court Act, relevant decisional authority and related regulations; federal law governing child welfare and juvenile justice and related regulations; applicable civil procedure law; the New York State Domestic Relations Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and applicable sections of state and federal Education Law; Local Rules, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, and Court of Appeals rules; legal research methods; rules of evidence; standard legal office practice and procedures; New York State ethical and professional rules of conduct; and principles of law office administration and supervision.
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from minorities, females, disabled individuals, veterans, and individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
How to Apply: Please send your cover letter and resume to resume@labbuffalo.org or mail them to:
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
Attention: Human Resources
290 Main Street, Suite 400
Buffalo, NY 14202
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. We look forward to welcoming a new member to our dedicated team.
