Director of Litigation and Special Projects
Youth Represent is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven attorney to join our team as Director of Litigation and Special Projects. This new role will focus on expanding access to justice and serving young people impacted by the criminal legal system in New York. This leader will help shape our approach through a combination of targeted strategic litigation and the creation of innovative pilot projects and partnerships to develop advocacy in emerging areas of practice. They will also play a key role in developing staff growth and mentoring interns and fellows who serve with us.
Youth Represent is dedicated to using direct legal services, policy advocacy, community education and strategic litigation to advance change at the individual and collective level, centering young people in the work we do together. Through holistic legal representation, integrated mental health services, and advocacy and youth development, we help young people navigate some of the most complex and inequitable systems in New York.
This new role is an opportunity to help shape the next chapter of Youth Represent’s impact and innovation through strategic partnership.
Overview of the Position
The Director of Litigation and Special Projects will bring a deep understanding of the legal issues facing young people who have contact with the criminal legal system.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Litigation and Special Projects will lead Youth Represent’s dynamic strategic legal practice, including amicus work, new projects with our talented legal staff and volunteers (pro bono counsel or a law school clinic), and impact litigation to advance legal strategies responsive to emerging issues. As a member of YR’s Management Team, they will attend regular meetings, contribute to organizational strategy, foster cross-functional collaboration, and help shape YR’s continued growth and success.
This role calls for an entrepreneurial leader who is eager to shape the future of the Litigation and Special Projects portfolio. They will cultivate strong internal and external partnerships, identify opportunities to expand our impact, and create collaborative approaches to emerging areas of our work.
Primary responsibilities include:
Strategic Litigation [20%]
Partnering with plaintiffs’ co-counsel to advance Youth Represent’s existing high-impact systemic litigation; and,
Collaborating with our Director of Policy to lead the organization’s appellate amicus strategy to protect and advance young people’s rights in New York State.
Partnership and Pilot Project Development [40%]
Working with a law school clinic and/or pro bono law firm partner to expand access to legal services to young adults, based on emergent legal issues we identify in our Community Legal Services practice and partnerships;
Working with law firm partners to build and cultivate partnerships and volunteer opportunities to advance our work and expand capacity to provide individual legal services; and,
Working with the Executive Director and the legal team to envision and operationalize pilots and partnerships.
Legal Training and Learning [15%]
Working with the Executive Director to create an annual litigation learning cycle for attorneys and paralegals, responsive to our practice, client needs and professional development goals;
Working with the Director of Community Legal Services and legal team to support onboarding for new team members;
Working with the Management Team to explore and develop training in relevant areas of law, policy and youth development for all YR staff; and,
Working with colleagues to develop trainings for external partners to share best practices from our holistic, youth-focused practice.
Management and Supervision [25%]
In partnership and coordination with the Director of Community Legal Services, co-manage a small staff of attorney and paralegal team members working on direct legal services, strategic litigation, and special projects;
Hold regular supervisory meetings to discuss open cases, challenges, strategies and professional development goals; and,
Supervise attorneys in court, administrative hearings, school suspension hearings as needed.
Qualifications
8-12 years of relevant legal experience;
Experience building partnerships, especially with law firms providing pro bono representation, law school clinics, and/or community based partners providing legal and youth services;
Experience with multi-year project planning and project development;
Experience with strategic / impact litigation in state and/or federal courts;
Experience with client-centered individual representation in New York’s criminal and/or civil courts;
Supervisory experience, supporting paralegal and attorney staff; and
A commitment to reform within the criminal legal system and/or reentry justice work.
Credentials
Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school;
Licensed to practice law in the State of New York or eligible for admission to the New York bar, and in good standing.
Skills and Experience
Strong legal, leadership, management, organizational, and communication skills;
Ability to build and sustain new relationships, partnerships and collaborations;
Experience developing and managing projects, with demonstrated success in leading teams and supporting partnerships that thrive;
Experience raising or managing funds for programmatic work;
Ability to organize and prioritize efficiently;
Ability to inspire and motivate staff;
Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration; and
A personal approach that values and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
How to Apply:
Please combine your cover letter AND résumé with the title (or file name) “YR Director – [your last name, your first name]" into one document in PDF format and email [email protected]. Please put "YR Director" in the subject line.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of November 9, 2026. Applications without cover letters that directly address the candidate’s fit with the key qualifications will not be considered.
Youth Represent is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating a truly equitable and anti oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We particularly encourage applicants from marginalized communities, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, and those directly impacted by the differing legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting a hiring process that is equitable and accessible to all.
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