Assistant Counsel (Family Court Counsel) - VID 180620

Description

Duties Description

This position is based in Buffalo at the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services’ (ILS’) Western New York Regional Support Center (WNY RSC), a satellite office of ILS, which is based in Albany. The 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 WNY RSC houses the Attorney in Charge and three staff attorneys, one Resource Support and Data Specialist, and one Administrative Assistant. The WNY RSC works collaboratively and directly with the counties in the WNY Region and their public defense providers (i.e., Public Defenders, Conflict Defenders, Legal Aid Societies and Assigned Counsel Programs) to achieve quality improvement reforms. All case-related information and knowledge obtained in the performance of these duties is highly confidential and may be subject to attorney-client privilege.

The attorney in this position will serve as Assistant Counsel and report to the Director of Quality Enhancement, Parent Representation in Albany, who works under the guidance of the Director of ILS (“Director”) and agency Counsel (“Counsel”). The Assistant Counsel will also work collaboratively with the Attorney-in-Charge and other staff in the WNY RSC to address public defense provider-specific needs and to promote regional initiatives.

Specific Duties Include

• Working closely with other members of the WNY RSC and the Family Representation Unit at ILS, state and county officials, public defense providers and other interested organizations and individuals to facilitate development and implementation of regional initiatives, particularly in the area of parent representation in Family Court matters with a focus on utilization of an interdisciplinary, client-centered approach to representation;
• Serving as the ILS point person for counties in the region and their providers of mandated Family Court representation, assisting in the development and implementation of programs, initiatives, and competitive grant proposals to fulfill ILS’s responsibility to make efforts to improve the quality of representation in Family Court matters. This will include regular communication with the Family Court providers, stakeholders, and county officials and periodic travel to the counties.
• Working collaboratively with the Attorney-in-Charge and other staff at WNY RSC towards successful implementation of the ILS reform plans within the region, identifying challenges to implementation, and working collaboratively with county officials and public defense providers to develop creative solutions to meet the challenges. This includes regular communication with the counties, their providers, and occasional in-person meetings in the counties;
• Assisting in the development of curricula and training materials for the representation of parents in Family Court matters;
• Providing consultation to public defense attorneys in matters involving the representation of parents in Family Court matters upon request:
• Assisting with the planning, conducting, and evaluation of ILS’ biennial family defense state-wide conference;
• Monitoring and developing content for the ILSFAM listserv, including periodic case digests and legislative updates, training opportunities, and current events;
• Assisting in the preparation of reports as needed in support of ILS’s responsibility to examine, evaluate, and monitor provision of legally mandated representation in Family Court matters;
• Working closely with the WNY 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 WNY RSC Criminal Defense Counsel and Appellate Counsel to identify inefficiencies and propose structural improvements in the delivery of representation;
• Occasional overnight travel to Albany for in-person meetings with ILS colleagues;
• Undertaking such other activities as may be requested by the Director and Counsel in furtherance of ILS’ overall responsibility to improve the quality of indigent legal services representation under County Law Article 18-B.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must have been admitted to the New York State Bar and must have had two years of experience in the practice of law subsequent to admission to the Bar.

Preferred Qualification: An ideal candidate will have at least four years of experience in Family Court public defense and demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting high quality public defense, a high degree of professionalism and collegiality, sound judgment, and strong oral and written skills.

Additional Comments

The mission of Indigent Legal Services (ILS) is to improve the quality of 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. Become part of a team of dedicated professionals who share your commitment to a more fair and just society.

ILS is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. These values not only guide our work; we believe they are essential to fulfilling our mission to improve mandated representation in New York State. ILS staff share responsibility for creating a more inclusive workplace. Diverse voices and perspectives only strengthen our ability to create transformational change. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

ILS welcomes candidates of any age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, military or veteran status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital or family status, domestic violence victim status, or arrest record or criminal conviction history.

We offer a comprehensive New York State benefits package, including:

• 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
  
  

ILS employees are eligible to apply to telecommute part-time and/or adjust work hours in accordance with ILS’s policies, subject to supervisor approval.

Employees may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice.

The State of New York is committed to assuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. Requests for reasonable accommodations should be submitted to the Designee for Reasonable Accommodations (DRA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator at RAinquiries@OGS.NY.Gov.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.