Center for Family Representation · 1 day ago
Senior Attorney, Early Defense
Queens - Jamaica, NY 11432
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$104K/yr - $128K/yr
4+ years expThe Center for Family Representation Inc. (CFR) is an award-winning, innovative law and policy organization that serves primarily Black and Brown families and youth in Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx. The Senior Attorney for Early Defense will partner with other Early Defense supervisors and the Early Defense Director to create and encourage strategies and practices that will shield or reduce CFR Early Defense clients from the family policing system.
LegalNon ProfitSocialTechnical Support
Responsibilities
Being a strategic thought partner to the Director of Early Defense and Early Defense management team in building out the practice
Strategically communicate with legal representatives of respective agencies involved in a family policing investigation (i.e. DOE, Hospital, ACS, PPRS etc.)
Delivering and monitoring a variety of written and oral communications including Early Defense Retainers, Client’s Rights and Responsibilities, practice resources, internal memos, and important messaging for internal and external use
Provide legal representation and individualized advice to parents and other adults facing ACS investigations as needed
Think creatively around strategies and practices to shield Early Defense Clients from the Family Policing System. Included but not limited to
Use of Standby Guardianship Agreements and Designation of Person with Parental Relationship
Develop strategic relationships with other organizations that regularly interact with our client population (i.e., legal defender organizations, ACS, and other agencies) to forward the goals of the Early Defense practice and its clients
Developing training materials for parents, external stakeholders/partners and CFR staff
Attend regular internal meetings with other members of management as necessary
Collaborate with Family Defense Practices in all boroughs that CFR practices
Collaborate with CFR’s wraparound and practice areas including criminal, immigration, SCR, and civil defense
Participating in routine and regular management meetings to discuss specific issues regarding the Early Defense practice and agency-wide routines, concerns, policies, best practices, funding, reporting etc. as it relates to Early Defense
Serve as a liaison between the Early Defense Department and Policy Department to connect Early Defense work to larger policy goals that impact our clients and their communities
Serve as back up to the Senior Attorney, Education Advocacy as needed
Support the Family Defense team with intake supervision as needed
Collaborate with the Supervisor of Policy, Community Engagement Supervisor and Supervisor of Government and Community Affairs as needed in furtherance of CFR’s community engagement goals
Engaging in community outreach and presentations, with the goals of educating the community, mandated reporters and other service providers about the Early Defense Practice and developing referral sources for the project
Collaborate with the Attorney-in-Charge of Special Projects and Legal Support and Senior Leadership Team as needed, including on CFR’s impact litigation work as needed -especially as relates to the work of Early Defense and investigations
Coordinate and assist in planning for the Fordham Family Defense Hosted Externship Program as needed
Work with the Development and Fiscal teams as needed on proposals and reporting related to funding
Working closely with the Communications Director and Supervisor of Government and Community Affairs, and other relevant internal and external stakeholders
Qualification
Required
Juris Doctor degree
Minimum 4 years of experience in direct client representation in family defense, preferably in New York City
Knowledge of New York City Article 10 institutional providers and system actors
A demonstrated commitment to working with impacted communities to achieve change
An aptitude for productive problem-solving
A desire to contribute to the stewardship of CFR
The ability to positively and productively contribute to the work culture at CFR in working with staff at all levels
Strong written and oral advocacy
Be well organized and have the ability to work efficiently and effectively, managing numerous projects and being simultaneously attentive to multiple deadlines
Preferred
Prior supervisory experience
Specific experience with legislation and/or coalition membership
Experience in parent defense and Article 10 proceedings, CVO cases, and/or other administrative hearing support (SCR, HRA, DOE)
Company
Center for Family Representation
Center for Family Representation is a nonprofit organization that provides housing, public benefits, criminal defense and technical support.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Center for Family Representation has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Alicia D. Williams, Ed.D., MBA, PHR
Chief Operating Officer
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