Supervising Attorney, Law Reform Unit

Supervising Attorney, Law Reform Unit
Apr 29, 2024

The Legal Aid Society is seeking an experienced and talented lawyer with a deep commitment to public interest practice and policy to join a dedicated team of staff attorneys and paralegals as a Supervising Attorney of the Civil Practice Law Reform Unit.

The Law Reform Unit coordinates and commences affirmative litigation, including class action litigation in federal and state courts; engages in both legislative and administrative policy advocacy on behalf of clients; and provides back-up and support for advocates in the Society's trial offices as well as the city-wide units of the Civil Practice. The unit's practice takes on cutting edge issues in a broad array of areas including housing, government benefits, homelessness, disability, health and immigration, leading to landmark decisions, settlements and legislation.

Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to addressing fundamental issues of poverty and justice within a comprehensive civil legal services model of representation and an interest in collaborative and creative approaches to management and staff development. Prior experience in conducting law reform litigation and excellent legal writing and advocacy skills are required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist the Attorney-in-Charge of the Law Reform Unit in the direct supervision of the legal work of the unit
• Supervise staff attorneys and paralegals
• Monitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client service
• Maintain a reasonable individual caseload
• Develop impact and/or affirmative litigation
• Provide oversight of pro bono initiatives within the unit
• Mentor staff
• Train staff members
• Represent the Civil Practice and The Legal Aid Society in the community
• Provide supervision and assistance during evenings and weekends, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Manhattan - Civil Practice Lower Manhattan Neighborhood Office

• Admission to the New York State Bar
• Minimum of eight years of legal practice preferred
• Experience litigating in various legal forums, including state and federal courts
• Excellent litigation and oral advocacy skills and experience litigating individual and group cases
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law
• Experience supervising and mentoring others
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work in and value a collaborative team model
• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required

SALARY TRANSPARENCY

The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range/ Salary: $98,085 - $154,684

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Salaries for our unionized jobs are governed by our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please visit our Careers page for additional information. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants, when and if an offer is made.

HIGHER EDUCATION AND LOAN FORGIVENESS

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs.

Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice.To learn more, click the links below.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email .

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one's internal deeply-held sense of one's gender which may be the same or different from one's sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one's name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please submit these documents as a single combined PDF when you apply via the Legal Aid Society Recruitment Portal.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample