Managing Attorney

Legal Aid Society of Mid New York•Syracuse, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York (LASMNY) is seeking an experienced attorney and leader to manage its Syracuse office. The Managing Attorney leads the office’s legal work and day-to-day administration, supervises attorneys and advocates working across multiple civil legal practice areas, and works with LASMNY leadership to set priorities and develop policies and practice standards. The role reports to a Deputy Director and ensures compliance with Legal Services Corporation regulations, grant requirements, and LASMNY policies. The Managing Attorney promotes holistic, client-centered legal services by identifying clients’ related legal needs, coordinating work across practice areas and offices, and connecting clients with community resources. The role combines hands-on legal practice and a caseload with staff supervision, mentoring, office leadership, and relationship-building with courts, community partners, funders, and pro bono attorneys. The position is based in Syracuse, New York, and is a full-time, 35-hour-per-week, non-union management position.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master of Laws (LL.M.) from an accredited law school.
Admission to practice law in New York State; attorneys admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission on motion are encouraged to apply.
At least five years of experience practicing law.
Litigation experience, including drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs and handling hearings, depositions, and trials.
Demonstrated experience mentoring and training less-experienced attorneys.
Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income communities and advancing equal access to justice.
Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, case management systems, and computerized legal research.
Ability to travel as needed, including to courts, community outreach sites, and other LASMNY offices.

Nice To Haves

Experience in civil legal services or other public interest practice.
Experience supervising attorneys engaged in litigation, including conducting performance evaluations.
Experience in housing, consumer, public benefits, or other poverty law practice areas.
Experience delivering holistic or interdisciplinary legal services in collaboration with social workers, case managers, or other non-legal service providers.
Familiarity with LSC regulations and grant compliance.
Experience managing a unionized workforce, including working within a collective bargaining agreement.
Proficiency in languages other than English.

Responsibilities

Oversee the Syracuse office’s daily operations and the quality of its legal work.
Review and assign new cases, balance caseloads, and supervise attorneys and advocates through regular case meetings and case reviews.
Ensure staff identify related legal issues, coordinate representation across practice areas and LASMNY offices, and make effective referrals to social service and community partners.
Train and mentor staff, particularly newer attorneys, in litigation, advocacy, and client service.
Conduct employee performance evaluations and address performance concerns in a timely and effective manner.
Work with the leadership team on policies and practice standards and ensure compliance with LSC regulations, grant requirements, and LASMNY policies.
Monitor case data and grant deliverables, prepare timely reports, and maintain accurate time and case records in the case management system.
Carry a caseload, appear in court and administrative proceedings, and advise staff on complex matters.
Identify systemic issues affecting clients and develop litigation and advocacy strategies to address them.
Build relationships with courts, bar associations, community partners, funders, and pro bono attorneys; lead outreach and community education.
Serve as a check signatory and help safeguard LASMNY funds.
Stay current on legal developments and complete Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements.
Handle confidential client and personnel information professionally; communicate courteously; and model a respectful, collaborative, accountable workplace.
Maintain regular and predictable attendance, adapt to new technologies and systems, and comply with applicable regulations, policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
Perform additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Executive Director based on agency needs.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic and voluntary life insurance.
Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts.
Employer retirement contributions.
Paid vacation, sick, personal, parental, and bereavement leave.
Fourteen paid holidays.
Paid CLE registration, attorney registration fees, and local and New York State bar dues.
Professional development and training opportunities.
Mileage reimbursement and parking.
Relocation assistance.
Employee Assistance Program.
Qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.