Legal Services

The vendor is required to provide for temporary, with the opportunity for ongoing professional legal services.
- Court related appearances: Includes all necessary work including, but not limited to, case conferencing and consultation with staff and in-house legal staff, review and signoff of required documents, review of petitions on behalf of the department, preparation of witnesses and related paperwork, participation in the blind review process to maximize family unification where possible, presenting and arguing on behalf of the department before the following courts and completion of docket sheets for all court appearances:
• Family court to represent the department as needed under social services law or family court act including, but not limited to, article 3, article 6, article 7, article 10 cases and child support cases.
• Supreme court to cover article 78 hearings from persons disputing a fair hearing decision, and guardianship proceedings.
• Surrogates court- to cover estate settlements, guardianship proceedings, and integrated domestic violence cases that the department is party to.
• Appellate division and court of appeals – bringing and defending cases on appeal.
- Other necessary and related activities included but not limited to:
• Legal consultant to the commissioner on policy, process or matters related to responsibilities of the office of commissioner.
• Review and coordinate any work that may be filed with the court
• Legal advisor to staff on legal sufficiency of bringing a case to petition.
• Review of prepared petitions.
• Assist agency staff in establishing compliance standards under new or existing laws
• Review, prepare and appear where required at fair hearings and expungement hearings for due process related to programs such as public assistance determinations or child neglect or abuse determinations.
• Participate in policy development on key issues related to compliance and legal operations of the department.
• Be an active participant in formal court collaborations and other identified venues that require legal participation as determined by the department.
• Coordinate, advise and review activities with the district attorney’s office on article 10 or fraud investigations with related criminal charges.
• Be available for consultation during business hours and court hours and as needs demand; limited after hours contact may be necessary in emergent situations.
• Be available at the department office for consultation as needs demand
• Maintain attorney-client privilege and confidentiality as required by law on all matters.
• Provide a cost estimate identifying per hour/per diem and annualized costs for performing the work outlined in your proposal not to exceed an annual amount of $400,000.00.
- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: March 19, 2025