Supervising Senior Attorney, Civil Rights at Empire… · Rochester

Do you want an impactful career AND quality time with your family or to pursue your hobbies?

You can have both by joining Empire Justice Center as a Civil Rights Supervising Senior Attorney!

About Empire Justice Center
Empire Justice Center is a diverse, highly respected statewide legal services organization that fights for marginalized low-income individuals and families across New York. We succeed through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, legislative advocacy, and training the next generation of advocates. Our team is passionate, determined, and committed to justice for communities facing poverty, housing insecurity, immigration issues, domestic violence, disability discrimination, and civil rights violations in schools.

What makes this role unique:

As a member of Empire Justice Center's Civil Rights practice group, the Supervising Senior Civil Rights Attorney will lead and conduct civil rights litigation and impact cases (with a focus on disability, LGBTQ, and special education), and collaborate with practice group attorneys and external partners to advance civil rights in New York. They will provide legal supervision, mentorship, and training to attorneys and paralegals and contribute to the organization's strategic vision to expand access to justice for low-income New Yorkers. You’ll also enjoy:

· True work-life Balance: A flexible 35-hour full-time work week (true work-life balance)!

· Loan Repayment Assistance: Eligible employees can pay off student loans using this program.

· A comprehensive health insurance plan for you AND your family!

· Additional benefits include: 14 paid holidays + generous vacation, sick, and personal time, group term life insurance, 403(b) with employer contributions (vesting after 12 months), and a $1,500 bilingual salary enhancement for qualifying employees.

· Travel to and work in the Albany or Rochester Telesca Center office is required as needed to meet client and organizational needs.

o Hybrid. This position is eligible for a hybrid work request under the organizational policy.

· Must demonstrate a high level of comfort and commitment to working with people from marginalized communities.

· Supervise and provide feedback to attorneys, paralegals, and interns’ work product to ensure quality, accuracy, and strategic effectiveness as needed.

· Support practice group staff’s professional development by mentoring, modeling effective litigation practices, and providing constructive coaching.

· Collaborate with the Managing Attorney to ensure coordinated and consistent supervision across practice group focus areas.

· Independently maintain a broad civil rights caseload, with a focus on disability, education, and LGBTQ litigation.

· Identify systemic issues for advocacy and develop opportunities for impact litigation/class action lawsuits.

· Conduct and attend relevant CLEs and community training sessions to advance the organization’s 360-degree approach.

· Utilize Legal Server and other case management systems to maintain accurate and complete case records, time entries, and outcome data and supervise others’ use of the same.

· Comply with all organizational policies and procedures and the New York Rules of Professional Conduct governing litigation, case approval, and attorneys’ fees.

· Identify and pursue attorneys’ fees as available.

· Complete other administrative tasks as needed.

· Leverage legal technology tools, including Microsoft 365, e-discovery platforms, legal research databases, document management systems, artificial intelligence tools, and litigation support software to increase efficiency and quality in litigation practice.

· Stay current on developments in legal technology and contribute and implement ideas for improving organizational use of technology in litigation.

· Maintain data security practices in handling sensitive client information consistent with Empire Justice Center policies and professional obligations.

· Participate in practice group/staff meetings and organizational planning as appropriate.

· Represent Empire Justice Center in external coalitions, bar association activities, and community settings to advance the organization's reputation and mission.

· Develop and/or participate in staff trainings and professional development activities.

· Work closely with your assigned supervisor and participate in regular supervision meetings, including work plan development and grant deliverable management.

· Please note that all positions will supervise other practice group members if needed.

· Due to limited resources, all staff are expected to perform administrative and other support-related duties to serve our clients and fulfill our mission as a non-profit legal services organization.

· Other duties as assigned by your supervisor and/or to meet the organization’s needs.

Experience and Attributes:

· Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school or equivalent degrees from countries outside the U.S.

· Admission to practice law in New York, or eligibility for admission to the New York Bar at the time of hiring (admission required within one year of hire).

· A minimum of 10 years of relevant litigation experience, with substantial experience in complex civil litigation.

· Experience practicing in both New York state courts and federal courts, including the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and/or Western Districts of New York; experience in appellate practice before the Second Circuit or New York appellate courts strongly preferred.

· Demonstrated commitment to expanding the rights of low-income persons and advancing social justice through individual and systemic litigation.

· A demonstrated commitment to advancing the civil rights of low-income and marginalized individuals.

· Experience supervising attorneys and/or legal staff in a litigation context.

· Proficiency with legal technology tools including Microsoft 365, e-discovery platforms, legal research databases, document management systems, artificial intelligence tools, and litigation support software.

· Ability and willingness to travel to Empire Justice Center's statewide offices and court locations as necessary, and to collaborate effectively with colleagues via video conferencing and remote communication tools.

· Experience in and commitment to working with marginalized communities.

· Demonstrated litigation experience, including all litigation stages, and experience representing clients in state court, federal court, or administrative agency proceedings.

· Superior legal writing and research skills, including the ability to evaluate complex cases and draft and edit complex briefs, motions, pleadings, and appellate submissions.

· Strong verbal advocacy skills, including proven ability to conduct oral arguments in trial and appellate courts.

· Effective supervisory and mentorship skills with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop the skills of attorneys, paralegals, and legal staff.

· Ability to generate creative, forward-looking litigation strategies and identify systemic legal issues appropriate for impact litigation.

· Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with the ability to build and maintain partnerships with co-workers, co-counsel, clients, community organizations, and advocacy partners.

· Demonstrated proficiency with legal technology, including Microsoft 365, e-discovery platforms, legal research databases, document management systems, artificial intelligence tools, and litigation support software.

· Ability to manage multiple cases and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

· Commitment to client-centered advocacy.

· Proficiency in using Adobe and other document management systems, with the ability to schedule appointments, manage calendars, documents, and collaborative workflows.

TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested, please visit our “Work With Us” employment page at www.empirejustice.org. Please submit a complete application, including a resume, writing sample, and contact information for three professional references (one supervisor is required). Please do not call or send hard copies. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly desires a diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, specifically: race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, disability status, genetics, neurodiversity, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

If you need reasonable accommodations, please contact Human Resources at HRSupport@empirejustice.org. Empire Justice Center is committed to fully including all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Empire Justice Center ensures that persons with disabilities and/or communication barriers have reasonable accommodations.

Salary

The referenced pay range/scale represents this job's estimated minimum and maximum compensation. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range and determined by factors including, but not limited to, education, experience, qualifications, the individual's expertise, market data, and internal equity considerations.