The New York City Law Department is accepting applications from admitted attorneys with a minimum of three years of litigation experience in criminal or juvenile justice for the position of Assistant Corporation Counsel (ACC) in the Family Court Division. Our mission is two-fold: Juvenile Justice and Interstate and International Child Support. This position is specifically for the Juvenile Justice practice. When addressing cases of youth charged with criminal acts, the law requires a rehabilitative determination of the outcome that best meets the needs of the youth and the protection of the community. Family Court Division staff work under the fastest timelines and with complex situations to achieve that goal.

The position offers the opportunity to join approximately 250 people in dedicated service to the children, families and communities of NYC. We are a citywide Division with locations in all five boroughs. We investigate cases involving criminal allegations that range from minor offenses often emanating from conflict within families which are immediately met by dedicated case support teams geared to assist; to complicated cases of youth involved with assaults, robberies, weapons possession, arson, attempted homicide and homicide and sexual offenses handled by specially-trained personnel. Assistants are given the opportunity to train for and join the Division’s Special Victims Unit which handles complex litigation around sex offenses and other related cases and whose members are nationally trained and certified in forensic interviewing and other specialized skills; and/or the Division’s Major Case Unit which handles advanced litigation dealing with the most serious charges and challenging needs and whose members work closely with federal, state and local law enforcement to address safety concerns within communities; and the opportunity to qualify to be cross-designated special ADAs in most of the NYC District Attorney offices where they work alongside ADAs on Adolescent Offender cases being removed to Family Court under the historic Raise the Age legislation.

Attorneys carry their own caseload and work collaboratively with others in a team approach to cases; and can second chair the most complex cases handled by senior attorneys. The responsibilities include but are not limited to: interviewing victims, civilian witnesses and police officers; working with law enforcement to obtain, evaluate and analyze evidence to determine the viability of a case thereby determining whether the case can be filed or must be declined. If the case can be filed in court, deciding whether a community based diversion is appropriate; if the case is filed, drafting depositions; filing petitions conducting and providing discovery including body worn camera, DNA, video and Giglio evidence; preparing and conducting pre-trial hearings including pre-petition detention and probable cause hearings, which determine the custodial status of the youth; constitutional suppression hearings to determine the admissibility of evidence; fact-finding hearings (similar to trials in adult criminal cases), which determine whether the juvenile committed the acts alleged; and dispositional (sentencing) hearings. The Assistant is supported by legal supervisors and legal support professionals. Case assignment is centered around a vertical prosecution model.

The Family Court Division is ideal for attorneys with a passion for juvenile justice, and helping communities thrive. Suitable members of the Division possess the ability to investigate cases, analyze and then advocate for appropriate outcomes on a case-by-case basis, and to expertly conduct hearings and trials in a fast-paced environment with the ultimate goals of rehabilitation of the youth and the enhancement of the safety of the community.

Every office within the Division is composed of enthusiastic, dedicated personnel who contribute to the vibrancy of the work. The office location of the Assistant will be flexible depending on factors such as space availability, preference of the individual and the needs of the Division.

- The ACC will be welcomed and may be required to attend various inter-agency and borough meetings; and to prepare and present trainings both within the Family Court Division and to other agencies and stakeholders.

- Excellent legal research and writing skills are essential to the position; and participation in special projects such as those addressing legislative, policy and operational change will be offered and may be required. Attorneys are expected to visit crime scenes and conduct interviews and other casework after hours and on weekends when necessary.

- Our work is ongoing and constant, it affects peoples’ lives. The Division therefore operates 365 days and nights a year to meet the needs of expert case investigation as well as the rights of those in custody beyond Family Court hours. Therefore, participation in a city-wide on-call system for juvenile justice cases that take place outside of office hours as well a rotating schedule for Weekend, Holiday Evening Court (WHEC) currently operated in the Criminal Court at 100 Centre Street is required. Note: Work in the rotation serving WHEC is compensated through the granting of an RDO (regular day off) during the work week as well as transportation home at the end of the shift.

- Attorneys are required to participate in community events including school, precinct and community outreach events for community members to meet us and learn about our work; and for us to meet community members and learn from them.

- The Family Court Division’s Juvenile Justice practice is comprised of a dynamic group of collaborative people who work together as a team. The qualified candidate is drawn to teamwork and supportive relationships within the office, the court and NYC at large!

- The Family Court Division is committed to the ongoing professional development of staff and mentors and coaches are available to all.

The successful Applicant must be admitted and in good standing with the NYS Bar and must have substantial experience, preferably in criminal and/or juvenile justice law, following graduation from an ABA accredited law school. Applicants must possess excellent judgment; exceptional organizational abilities; strong leadership skills; solid knowledge of constitutional and criminal law, the Family Court and Youth Part principles and the laws that govern them; evidentiary issues; and strong interpersonal skills. Applicants must also be creative problem-solvers and opportunity identifiers with a sufficient degree of emotional intelligence to assist them in dealing with the wide range of legal, and social, issues experienced by the youth, families, community members, law enforcement, court and agency personnel and all those with whom they will be engaged in the course of their Juvenile Justice work.

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.