Disability Advocacy Program (DAP) Staff Attorney

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY•Albany, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY), a nonprofit civil legal services program, seeks a Disability Advocacy Program Staff Attorney based in its Albany Office. The attorney will primarily provide legal representation and assistance to clients with intellectual, mental, and physical limitations, including conditions such as anxiety, depression, HIV, PTSD, ADHD, musculoskeletal impairments, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. LASNNY serves sixteen counties in upstate New York through six regional offices. The attorney will handle a range of legal services, including Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims, and may be assigned matters involving eligibility for public assistance and Medicaid benefits. The role includes client counseling, referrals, administrative hearings, litigation, systemic advocacy, community legal education, outreach, engagement, and community lawyering. The attorney will collaborate with LASNNY attorneys, paralegals, and community partner agency staff, and participate in training and advocacy initiatives. The position operates in a professional law office environment and may occasionally require carrying regular office supplies. It involves standard office equipment and software, as well as remote videoconferencing platforms. LASNNY describes its culture as supportive and relaxed, prioritizing empathy and integrity, and offers flexible hybrid-remote and alternative work schedules. The position requires travel throughout the service area; applicants must be New York State residents with reliable transportation. This is a union position subject to a negotiated pay scale under the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. Individual salary offers depend on factors including experience credited under the CBA, grant funding, education, qualifications, expertise, market data, and internal equity. LASNNY is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities.

Requirements

Must be licensed to practice law in New York State or eligible for admission.
Law graduates will be considered if they have taken the bar exam.
Ability to communicate effectively with clients and staff.
Ability to work independently and efficiently, solve problems, and collaborate with community partner agency staff.
Must be a New York State resident with reliable transportation and willing to travel throughout the service area.
Strong computer, administrative, reporting, and data-entry skills.

Nice To Haves

Training or experience in community lawyering or community organizing.
Strong listening and relationship-building skills.
Experience, creativity, and willingness to use varied legal and non-legal advocacy tools to advance community-identified initiatives.
Multilingual ability; Spanish or Chinese is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide legal assistance to clients dealing with intellectual, mental, or physical limitations.
Represent and assist clients with Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims.
Handle cases that may involve eligibility for public assistance and Medicaid benefits.
Provide counsel and advice, referrals, representation in administrative hearings, affirmative and defensive litigation, systemic advocacy, community legal education, outreach and engagement, and community lawyering.
Participate in training and advocacy initiatives to maintain and develop relevant skills and knowledge.
Build strong relationships with clients while navigating complex legal matters.
Work collaboratively with LASNNY attorneys and paralegals to maximize access to LASNNY services.
Collaborate with community partner agency staff and work on community-identified initiatives.
Travel throughout LASNNY’s service area.