Associate Counsel; Office Justice Initiatives

Overview

POSITION TITLE:

ASSOCIATE COUNSEL

LOCATION:

OFFICE FOR JUSTICE INITIATIVES — ANY STATEWIDE REGIONAL OFFICE (NYC, Albany, Long Island, Westchester, Buffalo, Rochester, Binghamton, Syracuse)
BASE SALARY: $110,853 + $4,920 LOCATION PAY (NYC, Long Island & Westchester only)

• Associate Counsel researches, prepares and analyzes complex legal questions and issues concerning proposed administrative rules, legislation, and litigation.
• Advise judges and non-judicial personnel on the implications of procedures and programs and perform other related duties.
• Assist the Assistant Deputy Counsel in specialized areas of the law related to the development and implementation of court policies and the administration of the unified court system.
• Under the direction of the Hon. Edwina G. Richardson, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives, support the UCS’ child fatality advisory team and work with the Office for Justice Initiatives staff on ongoing child welfare and family justice initiatives, including the administration of the UCS’ Child Welfare Court Improvement Project. Travel across New York State is required.
• Support the chosen candidate’s expected duties, including:
• Facilitate the review of court records where a parent, guardian, guardian substitute, or relative known to the court system causes or contributes to the suspicious death of a child.
• Participate in Child Fatality Reviews.
• Coordinate continuing legal education (CLE) offerings and compile documentation to achieve CLE accreditation and validate CLE credits.
• Prepare reports for UCS leadership summarizing each fatality and the court’s involvement, identifying recommended policy changes and prevention initiatives.
• Provide recommendations for improving court procedures, promoting best practices, and educating judges and court staff.
• Provide technical assistance to the child welfare court improvement project and to family court judges and court staff.
• Research and analyze new case law as it develops in the area of child welfare and family justice.
• Act as a subject matter expert and develop/present legal training about the black letter law of child welfare/family justice matters.

Admission to the New York State Bar; and one year of service in the Senior Counsel title; or three years of relevant legal experience, including up to 18 months pre-admission experience.

All interested persons meeting the minimum qualifications are encouraged to submit a UCS-5 Application for Employment form (obtainable from any administrative office in a court building or on the web ourts.gov/careers/) and a cover letter and resume by email to nmabins or by mail to:
Dr. Najah N. Mabins, Director
Child Welfare & Family Justice Division
Office for Justice Initiatives
One Niagara Plaza
Buffalo, NY 14202