CITY BAR JUSTICE CENTER

Position: Director of Family Law Projects
Reports to: Managing Attorney, City Bar Justice Center

Job Description:

The City Bar Justice Center is the legal services arm of the New York City Bar. Each year our staff and cadre of volunteer attorneys from the private bar provide free legal assistance, through direct representation projects and a civil legal telephone hotline, to approximately 25,000 poor and low-income New Yorkers who do not have access to other legal resources.

In New York City there currently are few legal services programs that address family and matrimonial issues, especially if they are not related to a claim of domestic violence, and those that do have long waiting lists or closed intakes. The City Bar Justice Center’s Family Law Projects fill that gap by providing limited representation to self-representing litigants with family and matrimonial issues.

The Director is responsible for the operation of both the Contested and Uncontested Divorce Projects. This includes recruiting experienced matrimonial attorneys to provide an hour consultation on a discreet issue to self-representing respondents in contested matters; recruiting volunteer attorneys, law students and paralegals to assist self-represented petitioners prepare papers in uncontested divorce proceedings; developing and conducting specialized trainings; screening clients for eligibility; conducting case management; and supervising volunteers, staff and student interns. The Director also coordinates with our Legal Hotline. About a third of the calls to the Legal Hotline are about family law issues, including divorce, protective orders, child support, custody and visitation. In addition, the Director is expected to participate in legislative and policy activities with relevant New York City Bar committees.

Requirements:

Interested applicants must be admitted in New York, and have at least five years of relevant family and matrimonial law experience, a demonstrated commitment to public service, and excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills. Part-time employment is a possibility.

The City Bar Justice Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We pay commensurate with public interest salaries and experience.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and two references (including daytime telephone numbers) by mail or e-mail to:

Georgiana Hsu-Luk
Director of Human Resources
New York City Bar
42 West 44 th Street
New York, NY 10036
GHsu-Luk@nycbar.org

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

The City Bar Justice Center

The City Bar Justice Center is the pro bono/legal services affiliate of the New York City Bar, one of the nation’s oldest and largest bar associations. By harnessing resources from the legal community, the City Bar Justice Center annually provides direct legal representation, information and advocacy to 25,000 low-income and vulnerable New Yorkers. Our clients include immigrants, the homeless, domestic violence victims, the elderly, small business owners, consumers who are filing for bankruptcy, cancer patients and survivors, individuals with criminal records who are victims of the collateral consequences of having a criminal conviction and others in need who cannot access legal resources. Drawing upon our relationship with the New York City Bar, the Justice Center fosters strategic relationships among the private bar, the judiciary, legal aid providers and other organizations; educates the public on legal issues; and impacts public policy.

Responsibilities

The Development Director manages the $3,000,000 annual fundraising efforts of the organization, including the annual appeal, law firm and corporate contributions, direct mail solicitation of members, government funding and special events; researches, writes, and tracks grant proposals to public and private foundations; and provides timely acknowledgements and reports to funders.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have a commitment to the organization’s mission and a high level of energy and initiative. S/he must be a self-starter who is detail oriented and able to handle multiple projects and deadlines. Excellent communication and writing skills plus 5-7 years of development experience are required.

If interested, please send cover letter and resume to:

Georgiana Hsu-Luk, Director of Human Resources
New York City Bar
42 West 44th Street
New York, N.Y. 10036
Fax (212) 382-6769
Email: ghsu-luk@nycbar.org
www.citybarjusticecenter.org