Description

Attorney – Mental Hygiene Legal Service

Location: Rockland County, NY
Agency: Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department
Classification: Non-Competitive / Confidential

The Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, is currently accepting applications for an attorney position in the Court’s Mental Hygiene Legal Service (MHLS). The role will be filled under one of the following titles depending on the applicant’s qualifications and experience. Please indicate the title(s) you wish to be considered for.

Assistant Attorney (JG: 21)
Base Salary: $76,112 + $4,920 location pay

• Graduation from an accredited law school
• Admission to the New York State Bar within 18 months of appointment
• Valid driver’s license and access to a properly registered automobile for fieldwork

Assistant Attorneys serve in a confidential capacity under direct supervision, receiving on-the-job training in legal research, litigation preparation, and administrative hearings. They provide legal services for the Mental Hygiene Legal Service and other court-related functions.

MHLS provides legal representation and advocacy to individuals with mental and developmental disabilities, and those alleged to require mental health services. This includes legal matters related to civil and criminal commitment, treatment over objection, guardianship, sex offender civil management, and assisted outpatient treatment.

The role involves regular court appearances, client meetings in psychiatric hospitals and other settings, informal advocacy, and administrative hearing representation. Some litigation experience is preferred, though not required.

This job description outlines the general nature of work and does not list all duties associated with the position. Although the vacancy is located in Rockland County, reassignment within the promotion unit may occur based on the needs of the Unified Court System. Applications from this posting may be used to fill future vacancies in this title for up to six months.

Number of current vacancies: 1

Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit the following:

• UCS-5 Application for Employment form (download here)
• Resume
• Cover letter

Send applications via email to: [email protected]
Or by mail to:

Eben Hill, Director
Mental Hygiene Legal Service
600 Old Country Road, Suite 224
Garden City, NY 11530

Applicants are also encouraged to complete the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Collection form.

July 24, 2025

Applications must be postmarked or received by August 21, 2025

The New York State Unified Court System is an equal opportunity employer. Discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors is prohibited.