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 an 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 work towards establishing paternity and child support orders in the family court. Under direction of a Supervising Attorney, the Attorney Interne 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 order 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 and may be re-assigned to other boroughs within New York City, as needed.

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.

- Prior litigation experience - Strong oral and written advocacy skills - Prior experience with Child Support or Family Law - JD required - NYS Bar admitted or pending admission after passing NYS Bar exam

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City Residency is not required for this position

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.