Temporary Full-Time Associate Attorney

Overview: Our legal practice is seeking to hire a Full-Time Temporary Associate Attorney to join our boutique special education law firm. The Full-Time Temporary Associate Attorney will be responsible for independently managing a diverse caseload of special education matters, including representing parents of children with disabilities in impartial hearing administrative proceedings against the New York City Department of Education as well as in appealing decisions to the New York State Education Department Office of State Review.

Candidate must have 1-2 years of litigation experience, and a strong interest in special education law and in ensuring that special needs children receive an appropriate education.

Candidate should have excellent organization, research, writing, and communication skills with strong attention to detail. Candidate must be a motivated self-starter and resourceful. Candidate must be highly organized and deadline oriented with the ability to organize multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

The expected duration for the Full-Time Temporary Associate Attorney position is through July 28, 2023. There is a possibility of transitioning from temporary to permanent depending on the firm’s staffing needs at that time.

Compensation:

• Salary ranging from $70,000-$90,000 commensurate with skills and experience

• Sign-on bonus

• Health insurance

• 401k with matching

• Generous Paid Time Off and incentives provided

Specific Assignments Will Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Communicate with clients to understand their needs and concerns and determine how best to address them

• Draft relevant notices, witness affidavits, due process complaints, and direct examination questions in preparation for Impartial Hearings

• Negotiate with opposing counsel for possible settlement

• Represent clients at Impartial Hearing administrative proceedings, including direct and cross examination of witnesses

• Draft opening statements and closing briefs

• Conduct legal research

• Draft and finalize stipulations of settlement

• Prepare appeals to the Office of State Review

• Assist in the management of paralegals and administrator staff in various pre- and post-litigation tasks, including:

  • Guiding paralegal on securing necessary documents/information from clients, providers, etc.

  • Interfacing with the Department of Education’s (DOE) Bureau of Nonpublic Schools Payables (BNPSP) in ensuring that all settlements are properly implemented, with necessary disbursements made to parents/schools; and,

  • Guiding support staff’s work in interfacing with the DOE’s Impartial Hearing Office’s Implementation Unit to implement interim pendency orders and Findings of Fact and Decisions from Impartial Hearing Officer

Essential Job Functions:

• Punctuality

• Weekend and evening hours when necessary to complete work assignments

• Appropriate and professional email and phone etiquette with clients, colleagues, third parties, and opposing counsel

• Consistent attention to detail

• Meeting deadlines consistently

• Recording case time and expenses contemporaneously and meeting minimum billing requirements

• Proposing ideas for innovations, improvements, and efficiencies

• Complying with Employee Handbook and office policies, systems, and procedures at all times

How To Apply:

Interested applicants should email their cover letters and resumes in PDF format only to hiring@dayanlawfirm.com. The subject line of your email must be in the following format “Last Name, First Name – Candidate for Temporary Associate Attorney Position.” Your cover letter must address the following points: (1) Why are you interested in special education law; (2) What skills do you possess that would make you an asset to our firm; (3) What about your personality, attitude, and disposition do you believe makes you the right fit for our office culture; (4) What is an example of when you were part of something bigger than yourself.

Resumes must not exceed one page. Font must be Times New Roman, 12 point.