Disability Advocacy Project (DAP) Staff Attorney - Amsterdam Office

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY•City of Amsterdam, NY

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, a nonprofit civil legal services program, is seeking a Disability Advocacy Project Staff Attorney. The Attorney will primarily be responsible for providing legal representation and assistance to clients suffering from intellectual limitations, anxiety, depression, HIV, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, musculoskeletal impairments, Crohn's disease, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Our service area spans sixteen counties, in upstate New York, encompassing six regional offices. This position is based out of our Albany Office. For more information about our work, our staff, and our clients, visit www.lasnny.org We are a unionized program with excellent benefits, offering generous time off, excellent health insurance coverage with premiums primarily paid by LASNNY, health and long-term disability insurance, retirement contributions, tuition reimbursement, qualifying moving expenses, and flexible hybrid-remote and alternative work schedules. We seek an attorney who will be dedicated to our mission and will seek justice and fairness for individuals in our community. We are skilled, creative and compassionate advocates combining a passion to serve with the skills and will to address both individual and systemic injustice.

Requirements

Must be licensed to practice law in NYS or be eligible for admission. Law Graduates will be considered if they have taken the bar exam.
Must be able to communicate effectively with clients and staff, work independently and efficiently, and be able to problem solve and work collaboratively with community partner agency staff.
Must be willing to travel throughout our service area; a car and a clean valid New York driver's license are required.
Strong computer, administrative, reporting, and data entry skills required.

Nice To Haves

Training or experience in community lawyering or community organizing, demonstrated strong listening and relationship-building skills, experience, creativity, and willingness to use varied legal and non-legal advocacy tools to advance community-identified initiatives preferred.
Multi-lingual, Spanish, or Chinese preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide legal assistance to clients dealing with intellectual, mental or physical limitations.
Provide legal representation and assistance in Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims and may be assigned cases involving eligibility for public assistance and Medicaid benefits.
Provide a full range of legal services, including 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, ensuring your skills and knowledge remain sharp.
Build strong relationships with clients while navigating complex legal landscapes, all within a supportive and relaxed company culture that prioritizes empathy and integrity.
Work collaboratively with other LASNNY attorneys/paralegals to maximize access to LASNNY services.