Professional Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in CFR!
Staff Opportunities:
Criminal Defense Attorney
Candidates for this position should have a minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience representing indigent criminal defendants and have felony and jury trial experience. The Staff Attorney’s primary responsibility will be to represent clients in their concurrent criminal matters and work collaboratively with their legal team at CFR. CFR teams are comprised of attorneys, social work staff, paralegals and parent advocates and clients’ legal teams may involve staff from the family, immigration or housing units. The staff attorney will be expected to keep case data, client legal notes and case files up to date. As CFR is newly expanding to represent clients in Criminal Court, the successful candidate will also assist the criminal defense team in building and expanding the practice.
Applicants who are bilingual in Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with prior immigration experience are desirable. Applicants should be able to demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to work as part of a team. Salary is commensurate with experience; excellent benefits package. Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply; CFR is an EOE.
Applicants should e-mail a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please write “Criminal Defense Attorney” in the subject line. No phone inquiries please. Please note we are not able to respond directly to each applicant to acknowledge receipt of materials. See Full Job Description Here.
Family Advocate, Family Defense Practice
CFR has an opening for a Bachelor’s level Family Advocate in our Queens office.
The Family Advocate’s primary responsibility will include:
• Working collaboratively with attorneys representing parents in Child Protective (Article 10) and Termination of Parental Rights proceedings in Family Court. Teams are comprised of attorneys, social work staff, paralegals and parent advocates (parents who have successfully reunified with their children). Objectives of the teams include shortening lengths of stay for children in foster care, promoting quality visiting arrangements and ensuring that families receive services that are well-tailored to expediting safe and lasting reunification.
• Providing direct social work support and advocacy to clients
• Conducting intake and client interviews, assess clients’ needs and goals, and ensure clients are engaged in appropriate and meaningful service plans
• Maintaining contact with service providers, and advocate for clients at ACS and foster care agency conferences.
Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree, preferably with some prior experience with the NYC child welfare, education, housing or public benefits’ systems or other social justice experience. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a strong undergraduate academic record, strong interpersonal and communication skills, a commitment to supporting families, and a desire to share in both the exhilaration and challenges of a growing endeavor. Fluency in Spanish or other foreign language is highly desirable.
Applicants should send or email a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references (including phone and email contacts) to [email protected] with “Family Advocate Applicant” in the subject line. No phone inquiries please. Please note we are not able to respond directly to each applicant to acknowledge receipt of materials. See Full Job Description Here.
Social Worker, Family Defense Practice
CFR has an opening for a Master’s Level Social Worker in both our Queens and Manhattan office. Social Workers at CFR can expect intensive, interdisciplinary training on CFR’s Cornerstone Advocacy model, child welfare, family court, client interviewing and other critical skills. Professional development opportunities for Social Workers may include building skills to eventually supervise MSW interns, conduct trainings and participate in CFR’s policy initiatives. Objectives of the teams include shortening lengths of stay for children in foster care, promoting quality visiting arrangements and ensuring families receive services that are well-tailored to expediting safe and lasting reunification.
Candidates must have an LMSW or have an MSW degree and be eligible and willing to become licensed within three months of hire. Prior experience working in or with the NYC child welfare system or family court is preferred. Fluency in Spanish or other languages and experience with public benefits, education, housing or immigration is all desirable. Individuals who apply should be able to demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, a commitment to interdisciplinary representation of parents and a desire to share in both the exhilaration and challenges of a growing endeavor.
Applicants should send or email a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references (including phone and email contacts) to [email protected] with “Social Work Applicant” in the subject line. No phone inquiries please. Please note we are not able to respond directly to each applicant to acknowledge receipt of materials. See Full Job Description Here.
Staff Attorney, Family Defense Practice
The Staff Attorney’s primary responsibility will be to represent parents in Family Court who are respondents in Article 10 and Termination of Parental Rights proceedings, as part of CFR’s interdisciplinary legal teams. Attorneys will also pursue interim appeals on behalf of CFR’s clients. CFR’s teams are comprised of attorneys, social work staff, paralegals and parent advocates (parents who have successfully reunified with their children). In addition to providing our clients with high quality legal defense, objectives of the teams include keeping children out of foster care, shortening lengths of stay for children in foster care, promoting quality visiting arrangements and insuring that families receive services that are well-tailored to expediting safe and lasting reunification. Attorneys receive supervision from Litigation Supervisors and are expected to keep case data and client legal notes and files up to date. Staff Attorneys may also participate in CFR’s policy initiatives, supervise law school interns, present to community-based agencies about our model and write final appeals. Attorneys joining CFR can expect intensive, interdisciplinary training on CFR’s Cornerstone Advocacy model, child welfare, family court, client interviewing, and other critical skills. CFR is dedicated to providing ongoing professional development in best practices in all these areas in a variety of training forums for all staff.
Applicants should send or e-mail a cover letter, résumé, writing sample and three references (including phone and email contacts) to [email protected]. Please write “Staff Attorney Applicant” in the subject line. No phone inquiries please. Please note we are not able to respond directly to each applicant to acknowledge receipt of materials. See Full Job Description Here.
Legal Internships Manhattan & Queens
Law students interested in pursuing an internship during the school year should contact Lauren Mitchell at [email protected]. Kindly put “CFR Semester Internship” in the subject line.
A legal internship at CFR is an opportunity to receive an in depth education in child welfare law, social services, and policy through direct, hands on experience with advocacy, client counseling, crisis intervention, negotiation and case management. Interns will participate in comprehensive training and receive individualized supervision and mentoring. Interns will pursue individual research and writing assignments, have the opportunity to work on projects relating to child welfare policy, appear on the record in Court pursuant to student practice orders if appropriate, and more.