Washington County Conflict Defender Staff Attorney
About The Position
The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) is seeking a Staff Attorney to serve as Conflict Defender for Washington County Family Court, based at our Saratoga Springs office. This is meaningful, substantive trial work - representing clients at critical moments in their lives, in cases where the Washington County public defender's office is unable to appear due to a conflict of interest. If you are a lawyer who wants to be in court, doing real advocacy for people who need it, this position is worth your attention. LASNNY is a nonprofit civil legal aid organization serving low-income individuals and families across 16 counties in northeastern New York, with offices in Albany, Amsterdam, Canton, Plattsburgh, and Saratoga Springs. Our work is grounded in the principle that access to legal representation should not depend on a person's ability to pay. Our Saratoga Springs office is a collegial, active team serving Saratoga, Washington, Warren, and surrounding counties. The area offers a genuinely appealing place to live and work - a vibrant downtown, proximity to the Adirondacks and Lake George, and easy access to Albany - and our attorneys here take on varied, challenging work in a supportive environment. A conflict defender is an attorney or organization appointed by the court to represent clients in cases where the public defender's office has a conflict of interest that prevents it from providing representation. Conflicts typically arise in multi-party proceedings or matters where the public defender has a prior or concurrent relationship with another party. LASNNY serves in this capacity for Washington County Family Court, handling the full range of Family Court proceedings on behalf of assigned clients.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Admission to the New York State Bar, or eligibility for admission within a reasonable timeframe
- Commitment to public interest law and the representation of low-income clients
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills
- Ability to manage a varied caseload and meet deadlines
Nice To Haves
- Experience in Family Court litigation, including child protective, custody/visitation, or family offense proceedings
- Prior experience in legal aid, public defense, or nonprofit legal services
- Experience working with low-income clients or rural communities
- Bilingual skills are a plus
Responsibilities
- Provide legal representation to clients assigned through the conflict defender program in Washington County Family Court
- Appear in all phases of Family Court proceedings, including child protective matters (Article 10), custody and visitation, child support violations, family offense petitions, juvenile delinquency, PINS proceedings, and termination of parental rights cases
- Conduct client interviews, investigate facts, develop case strategy, and prepare for hearings and trials
- Collaborate with social workers, service providers, and other professionals as appropriate to support client representation
- Maintain accurate and timely case records in accordance with LASNNY's case management standards
- Participate in staff meetings, training programs, and professional development activities
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, including CLE funding
- Eligibility for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
