Description:

Are you a recent law school graduate who wants to gain valuable trial and courtroom experience?

Are you an experienced attorney who wants to protect the well-being of Westchester's children?

Then the Westchester County Family Court Bureau is the place for you!

Join a diverse organization with multiple opportunities for professional growth while being in service to the success of Westchester County's children, youth and families. Our work is rewarding, challenging and important. By joining our team, you're helping to create real, positive changes for many people and communities. Working as an Assistant County Attorney is a great opportunity for recent law school graduates and seasoned lawyers to work in the area of child welfare and gain significant and rapid litigation experience, appearing in court every day. You will build confidence in writing, presentation and time management while building daily relationships with judges and attorneys for parents and children.

Responsibilities Include but Not Limited to:

Representing the Department of Social Services in Family Court on all aspects of child protective proceedings, from petition filing through contested trials and permanency hearings;
Interviewing witnesses and other relevant parties to the litigation to determine admissibility of various types of evidence;
Drafting legal documents, including pleadings, motions and memoranda of law;
Meeting with caseworkers to identify and analyze legal issues;
Handling a full caseload; case investigations, motion practice, discovery and courtroom advocacy including pre-trial hearings, trials and dispositional hearings;
Preparing and maintaining case files and documents in advance of court appearances;
Conducting legal research and regularly reviewing relevant case laws and regulations and providing advice to the Department of Social Services on issues relating to permanency and well-being of children in foster care;
Preparing and presenting trainings both within the Family Court Bureau and to other agencies and stakeholders;
May be required to attend various inter-agency and county meetings.

Required Qualifications:
The successful candidate must have graduated from a school of law with a JD degree and be admitted to the New York State Bar or pending admission. Experience in the Family Court is preferred but not required. Must be able to work collaboratively with County Attorney staff, other attorneys, court staff and other County agencies in a fast paced and demanding environment.

Education:
Doctorate (preferred)