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Public Defender Assistant Grade I - Family Court
Attention: Monroe County full-time employees will receive a $1,000 quarterly retention payment each quarter in 2024! Apply today - another great reason to join the Monroe County workforce!
Description of Duties
This Public Defender Assistant Grade I position is located in the Family Defense program of the MCPD. The attorney represents parents and others in abuse and neglect proceedings in Family Court, including termination of parental rights and other ancillary proceedings, and provides legal advice and counsel to parents being investigated by CPS. The attorney is part of an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, social workers and parent advocate, working together with clients in a holistic practice, the goal of which is to keep families together.
Duties include conducting emergency hearings, working with investigators, witnesses and experts as necessary for trial preparation, handling pre-trial motions and discovery, negotiations, drafting orders and interim appeals. Representation of clients in related custody, child support and/or family offense matters is required. The attorney regularly consults with clients and the interdisciplinary team to address clients’ financial, housing, and other legal and/or service needs. The attorney reports directly to, and works under the general supervision of a Special Assistant Public Defender. Supervision of others is not a responsibility of this position.
A Public Defender Assistant Grade I must be an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the State of New York.
Minimum Qualifications
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The ideal Public Defender Assistant Grade I – Family Defense attorney possesses the following qualities:
- Three (3) years of experience providing high-quality legal representation in child welfare family regulation cases in Family Court; and a desire to engage in exceptional advocacy on behalf of parents and families impacted by the family regulation system;
- An ability to build relationships with clients, communicate clearly and effectively with them, and manage case files in an organized, independent manner;
- A commitment to racial diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism, and a working knowledge of the racial and income disproportionality issues in the family regulation system;
- An ability to work with the judges, lawyers, court administrators, other persons within the court system, and court officials.
- Fluency in Spanish is desirable.
MCPD is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.
