ATTORNEY INTERNE

HRA/DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; New York (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Exposure to NYC family court practice

Job summary

The City of New York's Department of Social Services is seeking an Agency Attorney Intern to support the Office of Legal Affairs. You will assist with legal guidance, draft motions, and participate in family court matters, while coordinating with multiple borough teams across NYC.

Ideal candidates have or are pursuing admission to the NY State Bar, and bring litigation experience, strong advocacy skills, and familiarity with child support or family law.

Qualifications

• Prior litigation experience in family law or a related area.
• Strong oral and written advocacy skills.
• Prior experience with Child Support or Family Law.
• Admission to the NY State Bar or NY bar passage.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Commissioner in NYS Family Court litigation for paternity and support orders.
• Appear in hearings and trials; seek penalties for violations of support petitions.
• Provide legal counsel and draft settlements on arrears and orders outside court as needed.
• Perform legal research on basic family law and draft motions and responses.
• Maintain case files and update the case management system records.
• Assist in determining witnesses and admissibility of evidence; assist with trial strategy.
• Travel within NYC with assignment to NY County and Richmond County Teams; work location in NYC County.

Skills

Litigation experience

Oral and written advocacy

Knowledge of Child Support or Family

Education

J.D. or law degree

Admission to NY State Bar

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.

• Represent the interests of the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services in NYS Family Court litigation to establish paternity and orders of support for children in receipt of public assistance.
• Appear in hearings and trials. Seek penalties on violation of support petitions. Works on medical orders of support, modification of orders and violations of orders for dependent children in receipt of Medicaid.
• Provide legal counsel and review with regard to negotiated settlements on outstanding arrears owed to the Commissioner and stipulate to orders of support outside of court based on Office of Child Support Services initiatives and pilot programs.
• Perform legal research on basic family law subject matter and drafting standard motions and rebuttals.
• Draft legal documents and provide legal assistance to OCSS by researching applicable statutes, case law or other material to resolve legal questions/problems, interpret the intent and legal ramifications of laws, rules/regulations related to the delivery of social services.
• Maintain case files and update notes into Office of Legal Affairs case management system records on case status.
• Determine the advisability of presenting witnesses, admissibility of types of evidence and matters of legal strategy.
• Must travel within New York City and may be re-assigned to other boroughs within New York City, as needed. The attorney in this position will be assigned to both the New York County and Richmond County Teams, with a work location in New York County.

Hours/Shift: 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
• Prior experience with Child Support or Family Law
• Admission to the NY State Bar or NY bar passage

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.