Attorney-in-Charge, Civil Citywide Units

The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice is seeking an experienced and talented lawyer with a deep commitment to public interest leadership, practice, and policy. This Attorney-in-Charge of Civil Citywide Units will join a dedicated team of staff across all five boroughs who are representing NYC residents across a broad spectrum of specialties through our Economic Equities Project (Community Development Unit, Consumer Law Unit, Predatory Lending and Foreclosure Project, and Tax Law Unit), Education Law Practice, Employment Law Unit, Government Benefits & Disability Advocacy Project, Family Law/DV Unit, and Health Law Unit.

 

The Attorney-in-Charge will provide coordination and support to these units and supervise the Directors of these units. The Attorney-in-Charge of Civil Citywide Units reports to the Attorney-in-Charge of the Civil Practice. They will be responsible for the smooth and effective running of the Citywide Units, oversight of the grants supporting these units, and providing legal and organizational leadership. This role also includes participation in Practice-wide management discussions and decision-making, and maintaining relationships with stakeholders in the legal, courts, and service communities, as well as with funders.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Legal Strategy & Oversight

• Coordinate with Law Reform Unit in the development of impact and/or affirmative litigation
• Coordinate with Law Reform Unit in the development of advocacy strategies
• Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy, and supervise the implementation of legal strategies
• Provide oversight of pro bono initiatives

 

Program & Grant Management

• Assist with the fundraising for and development, implementation and reporting of programs
• Provide oversight on all grant reporting from Citywide Units
• Assist with planning and conducting citywide and statewide coalition meetings and task forces

 

Community Engagement

• Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials and the courts
• Represent the Civil Practice and The Legal Aid Society in the community

 

Team Development and Supervision

• Lead organizational and culture development for the unit 
• Supervise and mentor Directors and provide support to staff across the Citywide units
• Monitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client service
• Respond to client, community and staff concerns
• Evaluate needs and identify necessary resources to address the needs of the Citywide units
• Identify, delegate, and document work responsibilities, roles, and procedures to meet the mission of the department
• Schedule employee hours, assign work, approve time off and remote work schedule requests following the guidance of LAS policy and procedures   
• Attend management meetings, participate in management trainings, and utilize current employment policies, practices and guidance as provided by management and Human Resources
• Implement management and supervision practices that affirmatively support equity and inclusion in the workplace
• Supervise direct reports in setting performance standards, provide routine feedback as well as coaching/counseling, and issue disciplinary action as needed
• Identify and provide training and development opportunities and ensure mandatory trainings are completed 
• Resolve employee conflict, complaints, and address union concerns, with guidance from Human Resources

 Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned

• Participate in continuous professional development
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Admission to NYS Bar
• 10+ years of legal work experience, at least