Overview

The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (NDS) is a community-based, client-centered, holistic public defense office located in Harlem, providing the highest quality representation in criminal, civil, immigration and family courts to residents of Northern Manhattan and the Bronx who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. NDS clients are represented by multidisciplinary teams including attorneys, advocates, team administrators and social workers. NDS is seeking applicants for a Deputy Managing Attorney of the Family Defense Practice.

Overview

The Family Defense Practice at NDS represents parents in family policing cases (sometimes called “child welfare” cases) filed by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) as well as related family court cases, including custody, visitation and termination of parental rights proceedings. Through our holistic approach to representation, the Family Defense Practice provides parents with the help they need—both inside and outside of court—to keep their families safe and stable. NDS is committed to advancing due process rights for parents by fighting unwarranted state intervention in their lives and advocating for related systemic change.

Responsibilities

• Manage, lead and oversee teams consisting of attorneys, social workers, client advocates and team administrators, as well as college, law school, and social work interns;
• Provide excellent client-centered representation with creativity, energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to trauma-informed, anti-racist, intersectional, non-judgmental, and holistic advocacy representation for a limited number of clients;
• Train and supervise staff; Provide oversight and direction to supervisors and employees in accordance with NDS’ policies and procedures;
• Foster a spirit of teamwork and unity among department members by soliciting and processing feedback on how to improve delivery of services and staff morale;
• In conjunction with the Managing Attorney, responsible for organizing, maintaining and adapting internal drive and motion bank, internal referral systems, data collection and management systems, discovery systems, communication and feedback systems, and other work systems, procedures and policies that enable the optimum performance of the Family Defense Practice;
• In conjunction with the Managing Attorney, establishing and training supervisors and staff on best practices for supervision, collaboration with colleagues, counseling clients, and litigating cases;
• Contribute leadership and coordination of the integrated holistic services that NDS provides to clients through our family defense, criminal defense, and civil practices;
• Collaborate with Managing Attorney to represent NDS in city- and state-wide coalitions as well as in borough-specific meetings with family court leadership and stakeholders;
• Maintain employee work schedules including assignments, training, vacation and paid time off; and,
• Prepare periodic reports for management, as necessary or requested, to track strategic goal accomplishment.

Qualifications

• Must possess a minimum of seven years of experience as a family defense attorney, or other relevant work, and a demonstrated track record of excellence in the profession;
• Must possess a proven commitment to holistic defense and/or social justice issues;
• Must be able to work cooperatively in a team setting and possess a strong ability to communicate clearly and effectively through writing;
• Must possess a high level of organizational skills;
• Must possess active listening skills and ability to give and receive constructive feedback;
• Experience with impact litigation, appeals and/or policy highly preferred.

Compensation:

Compensation is commensurate with experience and is in adherence to the NDS compensation scale. For this position, the salary range for 5-10 years of experience is $103,500 to $126,500. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as other benefits, are provided.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample in a single PDF email to Zainab Akbar at zakbar@ndsny.org with the subject line, “Deputy Managing, Family Defense Practice.” Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people to apply.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NDS we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

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