Attorney - Multiple Positions

 ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 52630

THE APPELLATE DIVISION, SECOND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT, IS CURRENTLY SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR AN ATTORNEY IN THE COURT’S MENTAL HYGIENE LEGAL SERVICE. THE POSITION WILL BE FILLED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TITLES DEPENDENT UPON THE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE OF THE APPLICANT SELECTED. APPLICANTS SHOULD SPECIFY THE POSITION TITLE OR TITLES FOR WHICH THEY WISH TO BE CONSIDERED.

POSITION TITLE: ATTORNEY JG: 23

BASE SALARY: $84,659 $4,920 LOCATION PAY

QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to the New York State bar or Graduation from an accredited law school and admission to the New York State Bar within 18 months of appointment.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK: Under direct supervision, Attorneys serve in a confidential capacity and research legal questions and issues, prepare cases for administrative proceedings and litigation in the courts, and perform other related duties. Attorneys provide legal research and advocacy services in the Mental Hygiene Legal Services, attorney disciplinary committees, 18B panel administration, or other such units.

POSITION TITLE: SENIOR ATTORNEY JG: 26

BASE SALARY: $99,490 $4,920 LOCATION PAY

QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to the New York State bar and two (2) years of service in the Attorney title; or equivalent legal experience.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK: With substantial independence from supervision, Senior Attorneys serve in a confidential capacity and research legal questions and issues, organize investigations, prepare and present cases before administrative tribunals and courts, and perform other related duties. Senior Attorneys provide legal research and advocacy services in the Mental Hygiene Legal Services, attorney disciplinary committees, 18B panel administration, or other such units. They may also oversee a departmental law guardian program.

POSITION TITLE: ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY JG: 28

BASE SALARY: $110,853 $4,920 LOCATION PAY

QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to the New York State Bar and two (2) years of service in the Senior Attorney title; or equivalent legal experience.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK: Associate Attorneys serve in a confidential capacity and research legal questions and issues, organize complex investigations, prepare and present complex cases before administrative tribunals and trial and appellate courts, and perform other related duties. Associate Attorneys provide legal research and advocacy services in the Mental Hygiene Legal Services, attorney disciplinary committees, 18B panel administration, or other such units. They may also oversee a departmental law guardian program.

POSITION TITLE: PRINCIPAL ATTORNEY JG: 31

BASE SALARY: $130,061 $4,920 LOCATION PAY

QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to the New York State Bar and two (2) years of service in the Senior Attorney title; or equivalent legal experience.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK: Principal Attorneys serve in a confidential capacity in the Mental Hygiene Legal Services, attorney disciplinary committees, departmental law-guardian offices, or other such units where they research legal questions and issues, organize complex investigations, prepare and present complex cases before administrative tribunals and trial and appellate courts, and perform related duties. Principal Attorneys may also assist in selecting and training new staff, developing and implementing policies and procedures and in handling day-to-day administrative matters. They may also work with advisory committees, assist with planning and executing educational programs, assist with resolving administrative problems, and serve as director of a departmental law guardian office.

LOCATION: MENTAL HYGIENE LEGAL SERVICE – SPECIAL LITIGATION AND APPEALS UNIT

GARDEN CITY, NASSAU COUNTY

CLASSIFICATION: NON-COMPETITIVE/CONFIDENTIAL– TEMPORARY*

*This position is currently classified as temporary because it is encumbered by an employee who took a promotion within the court system. That employee has the right to return to this position within a designated period of time. If the employee chooses to return within the designated period, then the new incumbent may be placed in a similar position, if available, or the new incumbent’s employment may be terminated. If the employee does not return within the designated period, then the position would no longer be classified as temporary.

ASSIGNMENT: This position is primarily focused on appellate practice and requires exceptional legal writing and research skills. Duties include but are not limited to: assisting in litigating a varied and pro-active docket of mental health legal advocacy matters including cases initiated in both the State and Federal courts and prosecuted at both appellate and trial levels. Under supervision, such person will be responsible for cases selected by the Deputy Chief Attorney in charge of Special Litigation and Appeals from this docket, which will involve: in-depth legal research; drafting high-quality written submissions such as appellate briefs, motion papers, and memoranda of law; presenting oral arguments before appellate courts; and helping to conclude the litigation to a successful end whether resulting in an order, judgment, or settlement. Qualified applicants are required to have excellent writing, research, and oral advocacy skills, as well as the ability to complete assignments under strict time constraints. Travel to appellate courts within New York State will be required.

GENERAL INFORMATION: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this title. They do not include all job duties performed by employees in the title, and every position does not necessarily require these duties. Although a position is available and situated at a specific location, the appointee may be subject to reassignment to any position in the same title in this promotion unit dependent upon the needs of the Unified Court System. All applications received from this announcement may be used to fill any vacancies in this title that may occur in this court or agency within the next six (6) months. Position(s) available at the present time: 1.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: All interested persons meeting the minimum qualifications are encouraged to submit a UCS-5 Application for Employment form (obtainable from any administrative office in a court building or on the web at (www.nycourts.gov/careers/UCS5.pdf) and a resume and cover letter by email to MHLS2-HR@nycourts.gov with the appropriate announcement number in the subject line or by mail to:

Eben Hill
Director
Mental Hygiene Legal Service
600 Old Country Road, Suite 224
Garden City, NY 11530

APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY DATA COLLECTION FORM.

POSTING DATE: May 12, 2026 APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED OR RECEIVED BY: June 9, 2025

The New York State Unified Court System is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity or expression), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor

Salary : $84,659 - $130,061