The Family Court Legal Services division is seeking qualified candidates for the position of entry level Agency Attorney Interne commencing in the Fall of 2023.


The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of New York City’s children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care services. In child welfare, ACS contracts with private nonprofit organizations to support and stabilize families at risk of a crisis through preventive services and provides foster care services for children not able to safely remain at home. Each year, the agency’s Division of Child Protection responds to more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. In juvenile justice, ACS manages and funds services including detention and placement, intensive community-based alternatives for youth, and support services for families. ACS is also a key part of NYCs early childhood and education continuum, providing child care assistance to thousands of child welfare involved and low-income children so they can access safe, affordable, quality care.


The Division of Family Court Legal Services (FCLS) is responsible for representing Children’s Services in child neglect and abuse cases, permanency hearings and other child welfare proceedings in the New York City Family Courts. FCLS Attorneys work collaboratively with caseworkers and other child welfare stakeholders to further the agency’s mission of helping children and families achieve safety, permanency and well-being.

Under direct and close supervision, specific duties will include:

- Work closely with Child Protective caseworkers to identify and analyze legal problems and issues.
- Draft legal documents, including pleadings, motions and memoranda of law and fact by following generally acceptable legal procedures, forms and techniques in order to meet agency needs, goals and objectives.
- Represent the agency in Family Court on all aspects of child protective proceedings and other judicial proceedings including juvenile delinquency and Close to Home matters.
- Interview witnesses and other relevant parties to the litigation to determine admissibility of various types of evidence.
- Prepare and maintain case files and documents in advance of court appearances.
- Conduct legal research and regularly review relevant case law and regulations to support legal opinions.
- Counsel Child Protective caseworkers and agency case planners on issues relating to permanency and well-being of children in foster care.

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.