Children’s Rights, the national children’s civil rights organization, is expanding its litigation program and has added a position for a senior level attorney. We seek an experienced litigator who is interested in playing a key role in the organization’s growth and development, and who can design and lead class action litigation across the country to reform the way abused and neglected children are being treated in states’ child welfare systems.

Children’s Rights uses the power of the courts as its primary device to force systemic reform of failing child welfare systems. We rely primarily on affirmative litigation in both federal and state court, seeking injunctive relief and court orders to mandate reforms through trial or settlement. We remain involved in cases post-judgment to ensure the enforcement of the court orders obtained either through trial or settlement.

Children’s Rights attorneys, working with its policy department and local advocates, investigate failing systems, put together lawsuites where appropriate, conduct extensive discovery, and prepare cases for trial. The cases are very fact intensive because in addition to establishing children’s legal rights, we also have to unearth the facts necessary to prove that these rights have been violated, in systems which often have poor record-keeping and little expectation of accountability. Most of the cases settle on the eve of trial, and litigation is sometimes renewed post-judgment in the context of enforcement proceedings. Once we obtain a court order mandating reform, we are closely involved in monitoring the implementation of the order, work collaboratively with defendants to identify operational barriers to implementation, and return to court for further court orders if necessary to ensure implementation.

Complex motion practice is involved, as is extensive negotiation with defendants, usually in the context of settlement and enforcement activities. Although the cases are legally challenging, we have an excellent track record, and have developed much of the major law in the area.

An attorney interested in this position needs both the creativity and excellent legal skills to craft successful legal approaches to remedy wrongs, as well as the tenacity and organizational skills to develop and analyze the fact-gathering necessary to prove that these wrongs have occurred, and to bring the case to trial if it does not settle.

Qualifications

We are seeking an attorney with at least 10 years active litigation experience to lead Children’s Rights legal teams, often in conjunction with pro bono counsel from major law firms, to supervise and mentor and train less experienced staff attorneys on the teams, and to work with experts and local advocates. This attorney should have excellent litigation skills and strategic judgment, and be interested in the broader aspects of systemic reform and its policy implications. Preference will be given to applicants experienced in complex class action litigation and with federal court experience. Knowledge of children’s issues or social services systems is a plus, but is not required. Travel is required.

Salary and Benefits

Children’s Rights has recently upgraded attorney salaries to be competitive with the top range of public interest organizations. Salary is commensurate with experience and Children’s Rights provides an excellent benefit package.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter stating reason for interest, resume, and one recent writing sample (preferably including discussion of a constitutional, federal court, or complex issue) via e-mail to gro.sthgirsnerdlihcnull@RH, including “Senior Attorney” in the subject line, or via mail to:

Children’s Rights
330 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Attn: HR/Senior Attorney

Due to the high volume of submissions, only applicants of interest will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, AND WOMEN,
PEOPLE OF COLOR, LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PEOPLE AND
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY