Closing Date: 1st December, 2025
Description:
Job Description:The Legal Aid Society's Juvenile Rights Practice (JRP) is seeking to hire entry-level Staff Attorney and or Law Graduates eligible to practice pursuant to the Legal Aid Society practice order, to fill openings in several of its trial offices. JRP provides legal representation to children and youth, who are before New York City Family Courts on child welfare, PINS (Persons-in-Need-of-Supervision), youth justice, public defense, and termination of parental rights petitions. JRP attorneys practice on inter-disciplinary teams with social workers, paralegals, and investigators.
The deadline to apply is December 1, 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early. Offers will also be extended on a rolling basis. Interviews will be scheduled throughout the fall, and if you are selected for an interview, you will receive an email notification during this season. The application process will include:
- On Campus Interview (OCI), if applicable, serving as a screening
- Two rounds of interviews
- Reference checks
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
- Represent clients in Family Court litigation, including fact-finding, dispositional and post-dispositional hearings
- Conduct direct client representation and institutional assignments including intake and case coverage
- Conduct out-of-court case preparation including interviewing, investigation, document review, and witness preparation
- Draft motions, orders, bills/demands, and other documents
- Counsel and interview clients
- Consult and advocating with service providers
- Identify issues and resources
- Collaborate with colleagues across Juvenile Rights, Civil, and Criminal practice areas
- Seek compliance with court orders, regulatory requirements, and agency policies
- Ensure that the child has a voice in all decisions made about their life
- Engage in ongoing professional development and training
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Admission to the New York State Bar or Bar Exam Passage, or Law School Graduate eligible to practice pursuant to the Legal Aid Society practice order
- 1-3 years legal advocacy and or litigation experience preferred, not required
- Relevant clinical program or work experience preferred
- Commitment to children's issues and youth justice
- Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and serving racially and socioeconomically oppressed communities
- Ability to work effectively with children, adolescents, and their family members
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a high-volume practice
