Kaianerenhsera Aorihwa:ke Shakotihshienons Project / Legal Services for Veterans Staff Attorney
About The Position
The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) is seeking a Staff Attorney for a dual-program role serving members and residents of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe through its KAS Project and serving veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through its VA Legal Services for Veterans - Homelessness (LSV-H) program. This position is based in the Canton office and includes regular in-person presence on the Akwesasne territory. The attorney will provide civil legal advice and representation, build relationships with tribal staff and community partners, and collaborate with VA case managers and other service providers. The role requires a commitment to public interest law, strong advocacy skills, and the ability to manage a varied caseload.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active admission to the New York State Bar, or eligibility for admission
- A genuine and demonstrated commitment to public interest law and to the communities we serve
- Ability to work effectively and compassionately with individuals experiencing housing instability, poverty, trauma, or complex life circumstances
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills
- Capacity to manage a varied caseload with thoughtfulness, organization, and care
Nice To Haves
- Experience in housing/eviction defense, family law, public benefits, consumer law, or veterans' benefits
- Experience working with Native American communities, or a demonstrated understanding of Tribal culture, governance, and sovereignty
- Experience serving veterans or familiarity with VA systems and veteran-specific legal issues
- Proficiency with LegalServer or a comparable case management platform
- Bilingual skills are a plus
Responsibilities
- Provide civil legal advice and representation to tribal members and residents of Akwesasne in matters including housing, family law, public benefits, consumer law, and other civil legal needs.
- Maintain a regular in-person presence on the Akwesasne territory to conduct client meetings, intake, and outreach.
- Build and sustain relationships with tribal staff, leadership, and community partners in a manner consistent with cultural protocols and community norms.
- Participate in SRMT community events, client education workshops, and outreach activities.
- Handle matters in New York State courts and other applicable forums.
- Maintain accurate case records and documentation in LegalServer in accordance with program and grant requirements.
- Provide civil legal services to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including representation in eviction proceedings, landlord-tenant disputes, public benefits matters, family law, and other civil legal emergencies.
- Identify and address legal barriers to housing stability, including consumer debt, outstanding warrants, driver's license reinstatement, military discharge upgrades, and protective orders.
- Conduct intake and outreach at VA medical facilities, veteran service organizations, homeless service providers, and other community partner sites.
- Collaborate with VA case managers, social workers, and other service providers as part of an interdisciplinary support team.
- Maintain grant-compliant documentation and contribute to required LSV-H reporting and data collection.
- Actively support program visibility and referral-building through community engagement and outreach.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- New York State retirement program participation
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Ongoing professional development support and CLE funding
- Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
