STAFF ATTORNEY

Title: Staff Attorney

Location: Remote within New York State (Occasional in-person court appearances)

Education level: Law Degree (J.D.)

About AFFCNY: The Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York was founded in 1975 as the New York State Citizens Coalition. The Coalition provides support, information and advocacy for foster, kinship and adoptive families in the Empire State and the professionals who serve them.

AFFCNY offers a wide variety of programs and services, including:

• LIFT-UP: Statewide legal support program providing free legal consultations, training, and impactful direct representation.
• The Helpline: the only free statewide, 24/7 helpline for foster parents, adoptive parents, kinship guardians, and professionals.
• Adoption and Guardianship Assistance Program for Everyone (AGAPE): a signature program providing post-adoption and guardianship services including assessment, counseling, referrals, case management and in-home support, advocacy, parent support groups and mentors, and resources.
• Foster and Kinship Care Support Program: where caregivers can get questions answered, receive help solving problems, or obtain training.
• Adoption and Foster Care Therapist Network: The network promotes clinical training opportunities for mental health professionals to become competent in these areas, maintain a vetted list of adoption-competent therapists, and cover the costs of therapy for families in need.
• Systems Change Advocacy: Through public speaking, media outreach, and work with legislative and child welfare leaders, AFFCNY works to improve and reform the New York system.

Position Overview: The Staff Attorney will advance AFFCNY’s systems change mission by focusing on one of the most urgent injustices in New York’s child welfare system: unnecessary removals of children from long-term or pre-adoptive foster homes. This role will work directly with families impacted by harmful removal decisions while collaborating with statewide partners to develop policy and legal strategies that safeguard stable caregiving relationships. The attorney will also play a key role in supporting and expanding our Lift-Up program, ensuring caregivers have access to knowledgeable legal guidance when placement stability is at risk. The ideal candidate is passionate about keeping children safe, supported, and connected; comfortable navigating both legal advocacy and relationship-based policy engagement; and eager to help transform New York’s foster care landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal assistance, counsel, and advocacy to resource families facing removal actions, including guidance on fair hearings, Article 78 relief, and other legal avenues.
• Develop and implement statewide policy strategies to strengthen caregiver rights and placement stability protections.
• Conduct legal research and draft memos, policy briefs, testimony, and model pleadings.
• Support Helpline, AGAPE, and Lift-Up program intake by advising on removal-related issues statewide.
• Train attorneys, social workers, and caregivers on legal rights and emerging reforms.
• Work closely with agencies, legislators, and child welfare stakeholders to promote systemic improvement.
• Track county practices, decisions, and trends in removal cases to inform reform strategies.
• Represent AFFCNY as a subject-matter expert in public forums, working groups, and legislative advocacy.
• Perform other duties or special projects as directed by supervisor

Qualifications and Requirements:

• J.D. and admission to practice law in New York State required.
• 5+ years of experience in child welfare, family defense, appellate advocacy, or related field strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of ACS/OCFS regulations, fair hearing procedures, and Family Court practice a plus.
• Exceptional written and verbal advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and family integrity.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Willingness to travel occasionally within New York State.

Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: AFFCNY is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. Our goal is to attract qualified candidates and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

How to Apply: Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to megan@affcny.org. Please write “Staff Attorney Position” in the subject line of the email.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in New York, NY