Legal Assistant

Advocates For Children (AFC) is a dynamic social justice organization that strives to ensure a high-quality education for New York students who face barriers to academic success, focusing on students from low-income backgrounds. AFC works on behalf of children and youth who are at greatest risk of academic failure due to poverty, race, ethnicity, disability, homelessness, immigration status/limited English proficiency, or involvement in the child welfare or juvenile/criminal legal systems. We use uniquely integrated strategies to advance systemic reform, empower families and communities, and advocate for the educational rights of individual students. For more information on AFC, see www.advocatesforchildren.org. 

JOB SUMMARY

AFC seeks a full-time, detail-oriented, and proactive Legal Assistant to support our legal services staff in the representation of hundreds of families each year in the struggle to obtain appropriate educational services. The Legal Assistant supports our direct legal services work by processing and pursuing all payments that we have won through our legal advocacy, filing and tracking attorneys’ fees claims, and administering our client loan fund, which we use to help clients get services they urgently need. This position is an essential component of our legal services work and includes the potential to grow in casework responsibilities.  The Legal Assistant reports to the Director of Project Thrive.   

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Tracking and following up on money owed by the Department of Education to parents, schools, and service providers as a result of litigation 

• Billing, negotiating, and accounting for fees owed to AFC by the Department of Education when AFC prevails in a case 

• Processing, reporting on and accounting for AFC’s client loan funds and coordinating with Hebrew Free Loan Society, which administers the funds 

• Analyzing and preparing data on loans and legal fees for budgeting and auditing, including partnering with the Operations and Development teams to provide additional support as needed 

• Assisting in casework including communicating with clients, preparing for hearings, and keeping records 

• Based on demonstrated ability and capacity, the opportunity to learn to advocate on behalf of clients and handle casework 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding of and alignment with AFC’s mission. Please review AFC’s work at www.advocatesforchildren.org 
• Bachelor’s Degree 
• 1-2 years of relevant post-college work experience 
• Excellent technical skills, especially in Excel 
• Experience with Salesforce or similar data management system, a plus 
• Strong organizational skills and attentiveness to accuracy and detail  
• Ability to think proactively, anticipate problems, and develop effective solutions 
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize them, meet deadlines, and escalate issues as appropriate  
• Strong oral and written communication skills 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a variety of people 
• Ability to work independently and in a team 
• Spanish fluency preferred  

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter highlighting why they are interested in this role at AFC and how their experience aligns with the Legal Assistant position, including any personal or professional experience that demonstrates their connection to the populations AFC serves.  

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis starting February 2025. This position would start as soon as possible. Due to the high volume of applicants, only complete applications from qualified candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please. 

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position, with a salary in the range of $57,289 - $62,344, depending on experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package.    

This position is expected to work at least 2 days a week in the office and remotely on the remaining days. 

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

AFC’s current compensation package includes medical and dental insurance, with a plan option that covers full payment of medical plan premiums for staff and their qualified dependents. AFC has generous time-off policies that include 10 federal holidays, office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and 15 vacation days and 15 paid time off days in the first year of employment.  AFC also currently offers a 403(b) plan with a fully vested employer match and coverage of the premium cost of life insurance, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance. 

AFC is an affirmative action employer that actively seeks to recruit and retain a diverse staff and especially encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, parents of persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or gender expressions and persons of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. AFC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability or other protected characteristic. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To request accommodations, please email HR@advocatesforchildren.org.