Supervising Attorney - Attorney for the Child

JOB SUMMARY

The Supervising Attorney serves in a dual capacity, both as a practicing attorney and a key leader in the professional development of the legal team. In collaboration with the AFC Program Director and the Juvenile Justice Division Director, the Supervising Attorney will manage case acceptance, assignment, and team coordination while maintaining their own active caseload. Core responsibilities include conducting case reviews, offering direct guidance on legal and office practices, and ensuring comprehensive team and case coverage. Beyond practicing law, the Supervising Attorney will play a critical role in identifying performance gaps, collaborating with leadership to create targeted training plans, and implementing development strategies to enhance staff capabilities and maintain high-quality legal services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintain a reduced caseload of AFC appeals and cases in Family Court.
• Provide legal counsel and representation in proceedings primarily involving juvenile delinquency, persons in need of supervision, child protection, custody, visitation, and termination of parental rights, foster care placement, adoption, and other proceedings as may be assigned. Representation includes, but not limited to:
  • Draft and/or review all pleadings, motions and papers.
  • Interview clients or supervise interview by other members of the Attorney for the Child program staff.
  • Conduct disclosure and investigation.
  • File motions.
  • Consult and negotiate with other counsel and, as appropriate, other parties.
  • Represent clients at all appearances, hearings, and proceedings.
  • File notices of appeal, settle orders and records and represent clients in other post dispositional proceedings before the court.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and ethical guidelines while delivering high-quality legal services to clients.
• Consult with and review work of the social worker on each case assigned.
• Consult with and review work assigned with support staff.
• Transcribe complete, accurate, and detailed contacts in all cases files through our case management system, Legal Server.
• Conduct legal research in each case as required.
• Maintain knowledge of legislative changes and current case law and attending CLE trainings.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES

• Assist the Program Director to provide leadership and direction to the AFC Program, including recruitment, training, and performance management.
• Act as a liaison between Staff Attorneys and the Program Director and Division Director to ensure effective communication and coordination on case coverage and legal strategies.
• Set clear expectations, goals, and priorities for team members and monitor their progress towards achieving them.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports to provide feedback, support their professional development, and address any performance issues.
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively, balancing workload and ensuring optimal utilization of team resources.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, encouraging open communication, idea sharing, and teamwork.
• Mentor and coach team members to enhance their skills, knowledge, and career growth within the company.
• Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to the agency’s values and culture.
• Handle issues or conflicts within the team, providing guidance and facilitating resolution in a timely and effective manner.
• Collaborate with other departmental managers and stakeholders to ensure alignment of department initiatives with broader organizational goals and objectives.
• Assist Program Director with preparing performance evaluation documentation.
• Review and manage employee’s time off requests.

OTHER DUTIES

• Participate in Legal Aid Society office functions, including program staff meetings and other Legal Aid Society office meetings.
• Provide legal support to other programs from time to time as may be necessary.
• Promotes a positive and inclusive work culture, supporting the agency’s mission and values.
• Assists in preparing periodic reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school is required.
• Must be licensed, admitted, and in good standing with the NYS Bar Association.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience supervising attorneys or legal staff in a non-profit or legal aid setting preferred.
• Significant experience handling a caseload involving litigation, trials, and advocacy in court and administrative hearings.
• Experience with case review and assignment, as well as developing legal strategies to address complex legal issues.
• Experience in developing and implementing training programs for attorneys and support staff is preferred.
• Deep understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and case law, particularly in areas such as family law and juvenile justice.
• Proficiency with legal software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Exceptional legal writing skills, with the ability to draft clear, concise, and well-reasoned pleadings, motions, and legal correspondence.
• Strong oral communication skills for effective advocacy in court and clear, respectful communication with clients, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess complex legal issues and develop sound strategies and solutions.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple cases, deadlines, and supervisory responsibilities simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills for building and maintaining effective client relationships, particularly with vulnerable or underserved populations.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across various departments and with external partners, including other legal aid organizations, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Meticulous attention to detail in legal research, case preparation, and document review, ensuring high-quality legal work.
• Commitment to social justice and a passion for serving underprivileged communities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Extended periods of sitting at a desk or workstation while performing administrative tasks.
• Regular use of computers and other office equipment, requiring manual dexterity and visual concentration.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Must have the ability to move within the office and between various departments, as well as travel to court, client locations, or other legal venues, which may require walking or driving.
• Frequent use of verbal communication (in-person, over the phone, or via video conferencing) to interact with clients, staff, and legal counterparts.
• Reading and writing are constant activities, requiring strong visual acuity to review legal documents, files, and electronic records.
• The majority of work will be conducted in a standard office environment, often shared with other legal staff. This environment is typically quiet to moderately noisy.
• Travel to our Steuben County office (Bath, NY) may be required for supervision, training or coverage.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Work schedule
• Paid Lunch Hour
• Employer contributions toward health and dental insurance plans
• Up to:
  • 15 days of vacation to start (More based on experience)
  • 96 hours of sick leave
  • 48 hours of personal time
  • 14 paid holidays a year
  • $600 per year internet stipend
  • 3% match on the 401(k) or Roth 401(k) plan of your choice
• Language differential for being proficient in a program-relevant language
• Professional development opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer

The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.