Litigation - General (consumer) Attorney in New York City, NY

Government

New York City, NY

Litigation - General (consumer) Attorney in New York City, NY

Attorney

Min 3 yrs required

No

Job Title: CSE - Special Education Unit Attorney (Level 4) - 12005

Job Responsibilities:
The Special Education Unit (SEU) Attorney operates under the supervision of the Director of the Special Education Unit within the Office of Legal Services. The role involves engaging in challenging and complex legal work with significant financial, procedural, or policy implications. Responsibilities include:

Level 3 Assignments:
- Preparing for and trying complex cases with significant precedents and legal implications.
- Determining legal strategy, including the advisability of presenting witnesses and the admissibility of evidence.
- Training field staff and the Committee on Special Education (CSE) clinical staff on compliance with education laws and regulations.
- Collaborating with special education specialists, technical experts, and other attorneys.
- Negotiating and implementing settlements for special education claims.
- Conducting legal investigations and administering meetings with CSE impartial hearings teams and clinical staff.
- Preparing and arguing complex cases and appeals in administrative tribunals and courts.
- Reviewing, revising, and approving agreements prepared by other attorneys.
- Drafting memoranda for fiscal settlement authority and analyzing legislative effects.
- Supervising SEU Legal Associates in documentation review, report preparation, and settlement recommendations.
- Overseeing SEU Legal Associates in maintaining case records and responding to due process complaints.
- Evaluating the strength of impartial hearing cases and plaintiffs' demands.
- Instructing DOE offices on obligations under impartial hearing orders.
- Gathering evidence and assisting in researching issues for the Special Education Unit.
- Appearing at pre-hearing conferences and reviewing administrative decisions.
- Researching case law implications for settlements and collaborating with public advocacy groups, parents, and private attorneys.
- Reviewing and negotiating claims for attorney’s fees and preparing reports and recommendations.
- Acting as liaison to the Office of the Corporation Counsel for Federal Court cases.

Level 4 Assignments:
In addition to Level 3 duties, Level 4 responsibilities include:
- Serving as Team Leader for staff attorneys in trial preparation, presentation, and settlement of cases.
- Assisting in training and supervising agency attorneys from the Office of the General Counsel assigned to CSE.
- Supervising SEU community associates and administrative staff in case settlements.
- Managing case assignments for ten-day letters, due process proceedings, and settlements.
- Training newly appointed Team Leaders and liaising between managing attorneys and team leaders.
- Reviewing and approving memoranda and settlement agreements.
- Leading pendency determinations and federal court cases for special education matters.

Education and Experience Information:
Minimum Requirements:
- Admission to the New York State Bar.
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible . legal experience after admission to any State Bar.
- Continued membership in good standing with the New York State Bar is required for the duration of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Understanding of applicable laws and regulations.
- Clear and concise writing ability.
- Litigation and settlement experience.
- Efficient legal research skills.
- Supervisory experience.

Salary Information:
The salary range for this position is $118,800 to $123,300. Internal candidates selected for this position will not earn less than their current salary if they hold comparable or less senior positions within the organization.

Note: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding. New York City residency is not required, and applicants from the New York City tri-state area are encouraged to apply.