ATTORNEY INTERNE

New York City; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of New York's Department of Social Services, Office of Legal Affairs, seeks an Agency Attorney Interne to support the Support and Lien Recovery Litigation Unit. Under supervision, you will represent the Commissioner in state courts on Medicaid lien matters and assist with drafting pleadings and research.

The role requires travel to all five boroughs, a law degree from an ABA-accredited school, and NY Bar admission or eligibility.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited United States law school or admission to the NY State Bar.
• Strong advocacy and negotiation skills are essential.
• Experience in litigation or courtroom settings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent the interests of the Commissioner in all courts regarding Medicaid liens under Social Services Law 104-b and related claims.
• Negotiate liens, draft pleadings and correspondence, and research statutes and case law.
• Perform legal research on liens and disciplinary matters and draft motions and affirmations.
• Determine legal strategy for assigned cases and assess admissibility of evidence.
• Must be able to travel to all five boroughs for court appearances.

Skills

Litigation experience

Oral and written advocacy

Negotiation skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) / NY Bar admission

Job description

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.

The Department of Social Services' Office of Legal Affairs provides legal guidance, litigation support, and direct representation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies to the Department of Social Services and all DSS program areas to ensure the delivery of social services consistent with federal, state and local laws and regulations.

The Support and Lien Recovery Litigation Unit (SLRLU) provides litigation services and legal counsel to the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) and the Investigation, Revenue and Enforcement Administration (IREA) in accord with Federal, State and City laws and regulations. SLRLU represents the agency in state court actions to establish paternity and support orders on behalf of DSS and assert liens and claims against Public Assistance and Medicaid recipients’ personal injury awards and estate assets. SLRLU defends the agency in state court actions filed against it for its administrative and lien recovery enforcement actions and regularly consults with the NYC Law Department as appropriate.

The Office of the General Counsel of Legal Affairs is recruiting for one (1) Agency Attorney Interne, in the Casualty Lien Team with its Support and Lien Recovery Litigation Unit (SLRLU) to function as an Attorney Interne. Under the direction of a supervising attorney, the Attorney Interne will:

• Represent the interests of the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services citywide in all court, including in Supreme Court, and Surrogate’s Court on matters pertaining to Medicaid liens under Social Services Law 104-b and other Medicaid Claims and recovery of Medicaid monies due and owing.
• Negotiate liens, draft legal pleadings and correspondence, calculate Medicaid liens and provide legal assistance to the Office of Liens and Trusts including researching applicable statutes, case law or other material to resolve legal questions or problems, interpret the intent and legal ramifications of laws, rules and regulations related to Medicaid.
• Perform legal research on liens related to Social Services Law 104-b subject matter and drafting affirmative and defensive motions and affirmations needed to assert DSS’s Medicaid Liens or Claims.
• Determine legal strategy of assigned cases, and the advisability of presenting evidence, admissibility of types of evidence.
• Must be able to travel to all five boroughs for court appearances.

Hours/Schedule: Monday through Friday 9am – 5 pm with flex

AGENCY ATTORNEY INTERNE - 30086

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited United States law school as defined in the Rules of the New York Court of Appeals (Sections 520.3 or 520.5) or admission to the New York State Bar.

Preferred Skills

• Prior litigation experience.
• Strong oral and written advocacy skills.
• Negotiation Skills.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.