About the position
The Center for Family Representation Inc. (CFR) is an innovative law and policy organization dedicated to serving primarily Black and Brown families and youth in Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx. With a unique interdisciplinary legal defense model, CFR assists over 2400 clients annually, aiming to protect their rights and minimize the trauma of family separation. Founded in 2002, CFR's mission is to change the trajectory of indigent parents facing prosecution by the City's Administration for Children's Services (ACS). The organization is expanding its family defense practice to Richmond County in 2024, furthering its commitment to defending families in need. CFR's approach integrates legal representation with social work support, assigning each client both an attorney and a social worker, along with parent advocates who have firsthand experience with the ACS system. This model has been recognized nationally and is now being replicated by other organizations. CFR's Community Advocacy Project aims to represent parents during child protective investigations to prevent court involvement and assist in clearing their names from state maltreatment records. In addition to family defense, CFR has established the Youth Defense practice (YDP) to protect youth at risk of family separation due to incarceration. YDP employs the same interdisciplinary model to represent youth in various legal proceedings. The Home for Good program offers comprehensive legal and social work services, addressing immigration, civil legal issues, and criminal defense to ensure family stability. CFR is also committed to training practitioners across the country on strategies for family preservation and interdisciplinary representation, while advocating for policies that promote parent engagement and justice for families. Attorneys at CFR can expect extensive training in family law, the child welfare system, and client advocacy, along with ongoing professional development opportunities.
Responsibilities
- Work as part of CFR's interdisciplinary legal teams to provide high-quality legal defense for clients.
- Represent parents in Family Court in Article 10 and related proceedings, including Termination of Parental Rights.
- Pursue interim appeals on behalf of clients.
- Maintain up-to-date case data, client legal notes, and files.
- Participate in CFR's policy initiatives.
- Engage in CFR's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.
- Collaborate with CFR's Home for Good teams.
- Supervise law school interns where appropriate.
Requirements
- Admitted to practice law in the State of New York.
- At least 2 years of prior experience with family law, public benefits, housing, criminal defense, or immigration is preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Commitment to interdisciplinary representation of parents.
- Desire to share in the challenges and successes of a growing organization.
Nice-to-haves
- Fluency in Spanish or other languages is desirable.
Benefits
- Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
- Flexible work arrangements, allowing up to three days of remote work per week.
- Supportive and collaborative work environment.
