Associate Attorney Civil Rights Jobs in Albany, NY

Description

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 Supervising Senior Litigation 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 litigation team, the Supervising Senior Litigation Attorney will lead and conduct impact litigation and class action cases, develop new litigation initiatives, and collaborate with practice group attorneys and external partners to advance systemic change. They will provide legal supervision, mentorship, and training to attorneys and paralegals and will contribute to the organization's strategic vision to expand access to justice for low-income New Yorkers. Their work will focus on practice areas including, but not limited to, public benefits, civil rights (with a focus on disability, LGBTQ, and special education), health care, and/or tenants' rights. This individual carries a litigation caseload and reports to the Director of Litigation. 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 use this program to pay off student loans.

A comprehensive health insurance plan for you AND your family!

Additional benefits include: 13 paid holidays and office closure between Christmas Day and New Year's Day, generous vacation, sick, and personal time, group term life insurance, 403(b) with employer contributions (eligible after 12 months), and a $2,000 bilingual salary enhancement for qualifying employees.

Responsibilities:

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

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

Impact Litigation and Class Action Leadership:

Lead and/or support all phases of complex civil impact litigation and class action cases, including case development and investigation, pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice (including oral argument), witness development and preparation, trial preparation, trial, and appellate practice.

Support litigation needs throughout the organization, serving as a versatile attorney who fills needed gaps in staffing for litigation work.

Serve as lead, co-counsel, or litigation team attorney supporting high-profile, precedent-setting litigation designed to achieve systemic improvements in law and policy for low-income clients.

Draft and oversee the preparation of complex briefs, motions, pleadings, and other court submissions that reflect the highest standards of legal advocacy.

Prepare for and conduct oral arguments in state courts, federal courts, and administrative agencies.

Team Supervision and Mentorship:

Supervise and provide feedback to attorneys, paralegals, and interns' work product to ensure quality, accuracy, and strategic effectiveness.

Support litigation staff's professional development by mentoring, modeling effective litigation practices, and providing constructive coaching.

Collaborate with the Director of Litigation and Managing Attorneys to ensure coordinated and consistent supervision across litigation matters.

Strategy Development and Collaboration:

Generate innovative ideas for new impact litigation initiatives that address legal barriers facing low-income New Yorkers in coordination with Managing Attorneys and the Director of Litigation.

Work with policy staff to coordinate external messaging and media relations for pending litigation.

Partner with other civil legal aid organizations, law school clinics, private law firms, and pro bono partners.

Contribute to the development of organizational priorities for legal issues relevant to Empire Justice Center's mission.

Case Management and Administrative Responsibilities:

Maintain a litigation caseload.

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.

Technology and Innovation.

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.

Organizational Responsibilities:

Participate in 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.

Contribute to grant reporting, funding proposals, and communications regarding litigation outcomes and impact as requested.

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

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

Working closely with your assigned supervisor and participating in regular supervision meetings, including work plan development and grant deliverable management.

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.

Requirements

Skills

Demonstrated excellence in all phases of complex civil litigation, including class action and impact litigation in state and federal courts.

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

Strong oral 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.

Qualifications

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.

Demonstrated experience leading class action litigation as lead attorney or co-counsel;

Significant 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 history of seeking positive systemic change through class action, major impact, or other systemic litigation.

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.

TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested, please visit our "Work With Us" employment page on our website 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 refrain from making phone calls or sending 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 reasonable accommodations are needed, please contact Mercedece Love, Human Resources and Compliance Manager, at HRSupport@empirejustice.org. Empire Justice Center is committed to the full inclusion of 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.