Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) seeks to fill three attorney positions in its Children at Risk unit, located in the CLS Bridgeport office. Two positions will focus on abuse and neglect cases through CLS’ Child and Youth Advocacy Team Project (CYAT) and one position will focus on education law.
CLS seeks applicants who will use their legal training to improve the lives of low-income people and further CLS’ holistic and client-centered work. CLS lawyers represent families and individuals in administrative hearings and in state and federal courts, as well as advocating in various settings for changes in laws and systems to benefit low-income communities. CLS encourages lawyers addressing complex or systemic client issues to work in teams, which may include other legal services lawyers and/or other local community agencies. Responsibilities include legal representation and advice to individuals and families.
The attorney will receive extensive training and support in the area of law assigned and will be expected to:
• Education: maintain an active education law caseload of representation and advice cases, with primary responsibility covering the Bridgeport and Stamford region, which will include remote and in person school meetings, administrative complaints, and expulsion and due process hearings, as appropriate; maintain a limited caseload of child protection cases, including remote and in person court appearances and home visits;
• CYAT: Maintain an active child protection caseload in Bridgeport Juvenile Court, working on a team with a social service professional and a legal assistant to provide a quality holistic approach, which includes remote and in person representation in juvenile court and at all related administrative meetings and proceedings, and advocacy to secure necessary educational, medical, and behavioral health services, and home visits with clients as needed; Maintain a small education law caseload, which will include remote and in person school meetings, administrative complaints, expulsion and due process hearings, as appropriate;
• maintain a limited caseload of child protection cases, including remote and in person court appearances and home visits;
• advocate for local systems change through new and existing partnerships;
• conduct community outreach and training, and coordinate with other social service agencies working with our clients;
• help identify larger trends and issues for our clients, and work to develop strategies to respond to those trends and issues.
Required:
• Connecticut bar admission or passed the Connecticut bar exam and willingness to be sworn in as soon as possible;
• Must be able to travel for client/work related events when necessary;
• Deep and demonstrated commitment to CLS’ mission, vision, goals, and values, and to advocate for and empower low-income and historically oppressed individuals and communities;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to write persuasively and clearly, and the ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups;
• Demonstrated ability both to collaborate closely with colleagues and to work independently when necessary;
• Self-motivation, creativity and flexibility in solving problems and meeting challenges.
Preferred, but not required:
• Education law and/or child protection law experience
• Connecticut administrative hearing and/or court experience
• Spanish language fluency
Applicants should send a Cover Letter clearly describing their qualifications, Resume, 3-7 page original writing sample, and the names and contact information for three professional references to [email protected]. CLS invites all applicants to include in their Cover Letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.