Description
The New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services (ILS) is launching a Western New York Regional Support Center in Buffalo. The ILS Western New York Regional Support Center (WNY RSC) addresses the compelling need for ILS to provide state expertise for local governments and providers of public defense to assure that the reforms initiated by the Hurrell- Harring settlement and its extension statewide under Executive Law § 832(4) will be implemented as effectively and as efficiently as possible in western New York counties. The Family Court Counsel reports to the Attorney in Charge/Director of Western New York Regional Support Center and is responsible for improving the quality of representation of parents within the region, not only in Family Court but also in Integrated Domestic Violence (IDV) Court. Specific duties include: • To achieve the mission of improved quality public defense representation, facilitates development and implementation of regional initiatives, particularly in the area of parent representation in Family Court matters and utilization of a multi-disciplinary, client-centered approach to representation • Under the supervision of the Attorney-in-Charge, works towards successful implementation of the ILS reform plans within the region, identifies challenges to implementation, and works collaboratively with county officials and public defense providers to develop creative solutions to meet the challenges • Assists in maximizing the use of state funding by all counties and public defense providers within the region, including negotiating budgets for ILS contracts with public defense providers and counties within the region • Provides consultation to public defense attorneys in matters involving the representation of parents in Family Court matters upon request • Works closely with the Resource Support and Data Specialist to promote access to non-attorney professional support services and to ensure collection and reporting of all relevant data, and with Criminal Defense Counsel and Appellate Counsel to identify inefficiencies and propose structural improvements in the delivery of representation • Consults regularly with the ILS Director of Quality Enhancement for Parent Representation, Parent Representation Attorney, Family Court Program Associate, and Family Court Research Associatie to problem-solve, assist in responding to inquiries from public defense providers, and to make efforts to improve the quality of representation of parents in Family Court matters Additional Comments: The mission of Indigent Legal Services (ILS) is to improve the representation provided to New Yorkers facing criminal charges or family litigation who cannot afford counsel. Our agency’s work is transforming criminal defense and parental representation, while helping people in crisis achieve greater justice in criminal cases and maintain family integrity. Join us to help shape policy and practice statewide and to have a profound impact on justice statewide.
We offer a comprehensive New York State benefits package including: O•Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision Care Benefits• Life Insurance• Paid Personal Leave, Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays• Paid Family Leave•Health Care Spending Account• Dependent Care Advantage Account• Membership in the New York State and Local Employees’Retirement System• Voluntary Defined Contribution Plan•Deferred Compensation Plan
