The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.
The Department of Social Services' Office of Legal Affairs provides legal guidance, litigation support, and direct representation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies to the Department of Social Services and all DSS program areas to ensure the delivery of social services consistent with federal, state and local laws and regulations.
The Office of the General Counsel / Office of Legal Affairs is recruiting for one (1) Agency Attorney Interne in the Child Support Enforcement Term (CSET) of the Support and Lien Recovery Litigation Unit (SLRLU) to function as Attorney Interne, who will:
- Represent the interests of the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services in NYS Family Court litigation to establish paternity and orders of support for children in receipt of public assistance.
- Appear in hearings and trials. Seek penalties on violation of support petitions. Works on medical orders of support, modification of orders and violations of orders for dependent children in receipt of Medicaid.
- Provide legal counsel and review with regard to negotiated settlements on outstanding arrears owed to the Commissioner and stipulate to orders of support outside of court based on Office of Child Support Services initiatives and pilot programs.
- Perform legal research on basic family law subject matter and drafting standard motions and rebuttals.
- Draft legal documents and provide legal assistance to OCSS by researching applicable statutes, case law or other material to resolve legal questions/problems, interpret the intent and legal ramifications of laws, rules/regulations related to the delivery of social services.
- Maintain case files and update notes into Office of Legal Affairs case management system records on case status.
- Determine the advisability of presenting witnesses, admissibility of types of evidence and matters of legal strategy.
- Must travel within New York City and may be re-assigned to other boroughs within New York City, as needed. The attorney in this position will be assigned to both the New York County and Richmond County Teams, with a work location in New York County.
Hours/Shift: Monday through Friday 9am – 5 pm with flex
AGENCY ATTORNEY INTERNE - 30086
Graduation from an accredited United States law school as defined in the Rules of the New York Court of Appeals (Sections 520.3 or 520.5) or admission to the New York State Bar.
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.