Attorney

Neighborhood Legal Services Inc • Batavia, NY

4d • $71,000 - $120,914

About The Position

NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRM PROVIDING FREE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS. ITS MISSION IS TO SEEK EQUITABLE JUSTICE BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO LEGAL ADVICE, REPRESENTATION, AND EDUCATION TO THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO, DUE TO FINANCIAL VULNERABILITY, DISABILITY, DISCRIMINATION, OR ABUSE, REQUIRE PROTECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR CIVIL LEGAL RIGHTS. IT IS THE LARGEST NON-PROFIT PROVIDER OF CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES IN WESTERN NEW YORK. NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDES COUNSEL FOR HOUSING, EVICTION PREVENTION, FAMILY/DIVORCE, PUBLIC BENEFITS, DISABILITY ADVOCACY, STUDENT LOANS, AND HEALTH INSURANCE.

THE NLS BATAVIA OFFICE HAS A RICH HISTORY SERVING THE COMMUNITY. THE STAFF ATTORNEY WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT CLIENTS BY MAINTAINING A CASELOAD RELATED TO HOUSING LAW, PUBLIC BENEFITS, FAMILY LAW, DISABILITY LAW, AND CONSUMER ISSUES. TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED – WHETHER YOU JUST PASSED THE BAR WITH ADMISSION PENDING OR YOU ARE AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY.

Requirements

• J.D. and NYS Bar Admission (considered if applicant has passed the bar exam with admission pending – training will be provided)
• Demonstrated commitment and cultural sensitivity to low-income and underserved communities.
• Strong writing skills and verbal communication.
• Strong behavioral competencies.
• Strong attention to detail and follow up skills.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience working with low-income and/or underserved communities preferred
• Second language fluency preferred

Responsibilities

• Handle all aspects of legal representation including client contact, pleading preparation, research, file maintenance, hearing and trial work, and work with support staff
• Fulfill all grant and contract requirements through casework, time-keeping, record-keeping, and fostering pro bono involvement with the private bar
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the areas of law that impact our clients
• Identify other legal needs of clients to ensure that NLS can provide holistic representation and referrals
• Collaborate and coordinate with other NLS staff and community partners to ensure effective referrals and holistic service delivery
• Identify systemic problems that affect our clients' rights
• Conduct community outreach, education and training
• Demonstrate cultural competency to work with clients of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and limited English proficiency
• Maintain a current knowledge of developments in civil procedure and civil litigation law
• Develop an understanding of the social and economic forces that create poverty and inequality in our community

Benefits

• health, dental, and vision insurance
• a generous PTO policy that includes: 3 weeks of vacation time, 12 paid holidays, plus a week of PTO between Christmas and New Year's, reduced summer hours
• employees have access to sick and personal leave, as well as eligibility for public student loan forgiveness
• life insurance
• a pension plan
• HRA and Flexible Spending Accounts
• paid memberships
• professional development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees