Family Defense Practice Early Defense Attorney

The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a passionate family defense attorney to join our Early Defense Team.

The Bronx Defenders is a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system, and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. BxD seeks thoughtful, creative individuals with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff. Our staff of over 400 includes interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, benefits specialists, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, we have developed a groundbreaking, nationally-recognized model of representation called holistic defense that achieves better outcomes for the people we defend.

Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, family, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. Through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing, we push for systemic change at the local, state, and national level. We take what we learn from the people we represent and communities we work with and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change.

Family Defense Practice

The Bronx Defenders’ Family Defense Practice (FDP) provides legal representation and social work support to parents charged with child abuse and neglect who are at risk of losing custody of their children. Our Family Defense Practice is at the forefront of a movement to provide holistic representation to parents in the Bronx while creating long-term solutions for the reunification and stability of families. Family Defense Practice Attorneys mainly litigate abuse and neglect cases but occasionally appear in concurrent matters including custody, visitation, and termination of parental rights.  

Early Defense Work in our Family Defense Practice

In addition to our existing clients and members of the community who seek out help at our offices, The Bronx Defenders maintains a robust Legal Support Hotline that allows residents of the Bronx who need representation in family matters to receive immediate assistance. In the Early Defense Practice (EDP), our intake team assists community members who are being investigated by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), invited to a child safety conference, directed to take their children to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC), asked to report to Family Court, or who need representation at the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to have their ACS records sealed within the New York State Central Registry (SCR).

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Supervising Attorney of the FDP Early Defense Practice, the Family Defense Practice Early Defense Attorney will be responsible for representing clients in both our Family Defense Practice as well as community intake clients seeking assistance with family defense matters, and clients referred to FDP from other practice areas. The FDP Early Defense Team attorney will be responsible for staffing our Legal Support Hotline and conducting Know Your Rights trainings for community members with other members of the Early Defense Team.

Community Representation

• Provide legal expertise for the FDP Early Defense Team as they respond to calls and walk-ins by parents in need of assistance with ACS investigations
• Collaborate with the Early Defense Team to provide client-centered legal advice and representation to parents during family policing system investigations
• Advise on and/or participate in Child Safety Conferences on behalf of clients
• Regularly review and manage all FDP EDP client cases and provide legal counsel where EDP advocacy is the primary support
• Equip Early Defense clients with the information necessary to make informed decisions during an ACS investigation
• Co-counsel cases for Early Defense clients
• Carry a reduced caseload of FDP clients, the majority of which will be from Early Defense
• Provide legal advice and representation to parents seeking assistance in Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) hearings

Direct Representation

• Zealously represent parents in child protective proceedings in Bronx Family Court and any concurrent matters including custody, visitation, and termination of parental rights cases  
• Litigate legal matters in abuse and neglect proceedings in hearings and trials in family court - orally and in writing  
• Effectively communicate and negotiate with judges, caseworkers, child attorneys, and representatives of the Administration for Children’s Services on behalf of parents  
• Assist parents in accessing appropriate resources and services to restore full parental rights
• Collaborate with social workers and parent advocates in the Family Defense Practice, as well as attorneys and advocates in the criminal defense, civil action and immigration practice on enmeshed issues that arise in other venues  
• Collaborate to provide coverage for cases to ensure that all client needs are met  
• Maintain client case files and data in BxD’s case management system
• Provide mentorship to junior attorneys 
• Supervise and train interns and externs 
• Conduct internal trainings in conjunction with the FDP Training Department

Technical Assistance and Support

• Prepare and present internal and external training related to Early Defense representation, OCFS hearings, and family policing system investigations
• Coordinate with Early Defense Team members on cross-practice issues such as referral protocols, directing hotline calls, and conflict checks
• Staff the Early Defense Hotline and direct messages and calls to appropriate advocates in anticipation of ACS conferences and court filings

Data Tracking and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and current Early Defense cases in BxD Case Management System
• Track case data using hashtags and other designated systems to share with court and city stakeholders
• Assist the Managing Directors of the Family Defense Practice and Social Work with compiling data and drafting reports for funders regarding the efficacy of early defense and OCFS representation

Qualifications

To be eligible, candidates must have:

• At least two years of practice as a family defense public defender and/or attorney who has worked with underrepresented populations
• Experience working with parents charged with abuse or neglect or otherwise facing investigations by agencies associated with the family policing system

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Commitment to directly defending parents accused of abuse and/or neglect of their children and at risk of losing custody
• Experience working in and with racially, ethnically and socioeconomically marginalized communities
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences 
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers
• Commitment to fierce advocacy, and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of clients
• Effective research, writing and courtroom advocacy skills
• Strong analytical skills and capacity to employ non-legal resources in cases
• Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles
• Ability to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment 
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters
• Commitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus, but not required

This is a primarily in-person position.

Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 2-10 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $89,304$-116,240. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; and a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided when and if an offer is extended.

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit. 

This position is exempt. By law, nonexempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.