Staff Attorney

Legal Aid Society of Mid New York Inc•Utica, NY

20d•$84,240 - $96,294•Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Attorney will work in the Economic Security Project, which provides civil legal services to low-income residents across Central New York facing consumer debt and student loan problems that threaten household stability. Matters include debt collection lawsuits, medical debt, credit card and automobile loan debt, wage garnishments, frozen bank accounts, default judgments, and federal and private student loans. The attorney will provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients, including advice, negotiation, motion practice, discovery, and litigation. The position includes appearing in consumer credit actions and enforcement proceedings, participating in education and outreach, and offering holistic assistance when clients’ debt problems intersect with housing, benefits, health, or employment. The position is based in LASMNY’s Utica office and involves local travel to courts, client meetings, and outreach sites in the communities served.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master of Laws (LL.M.) from an accredited law school.
Eligible for admission to practice law in New York State. Law school graduates registered for the New York State Bar Exam, or eligible for admission on motion, are encouraged to apply.
Excellent written, analytical, organizational, and oral advocacy skills.
Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and serving communities facing systemic barriers to justice.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively and manage a high volume of cases.

Nice To Haves

Admission to practice law in New York State with zero to five years of experience.
Experience in consumer debt defense, student loan counseling, or civil litigation.
Familiarity with debt collection practice in City, Town, and Village Courts.
Valid New York State driver license, or ability to obtain one.
Proficiency in languages other than English.

Responsibilities

Manage a full caseload of clients with consumer debt collection and student loan problems and provide high-quality legal services.
Represent clients in consumer credit actions, including answering complaints within statutory periods, motion practice, and trial.
Seek to vacate default judgments and to vacate or release income executions, wage garnishments, and restrained bank accounts; assert applicable enforcement exemptions.
Assert defenses and counterclaims under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, New York General Business Law, and related state and federal consumer protection statutes.
Advise and represent clients on medical debt, including hospital financial assistance and charity care eligibility, billing errors, and collection practices.
Advise and represent student loan borrowers on repayment plans, forgiveness and discharge programs, default resolution, administrative advocacy, and private student loan defense; coordinate with the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program where appropriate.
Negotiate settlements and payment agreements with creditors, debt buyers, collection agencies, and opposing counsel.
Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, motions, memoranda, discovery requests and responses, and correspondence.
Handle discovery, including document review, requests for production, and interrogatories; prepare clients for hearings, depositions, and trial testimony.
Provide holistic counseling on legal issues affecting financial stability, including housing, benefits, employment, and health, and connect clients with social services, financial counseling, and community resources.
Assist with intake at courthouses and off-site locations, including during evening hours.
Deliver Know Your Rights presentations and training on debt collection, wage garnishment, exempt income, and student loans.
Participate in coalitions and task forces focused on consumer protection and economic justice.
Maintain accurate, timely, and complete case and time records in the case management system in compliance with LSC regulations, LASMNY policies, and grant reporting requirements.
Collaborate with partner organizations, pro bono attorneys, and other stakeholders, and represent LASMNY in the community.
Stay current on developments in consumer protection, debt collection, and student loan law and policy.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, case consultations, and supervisory case reviews.
Demonstrate professionalism and confidentiality; communicate effectively and courteously; maintain regular and predictable attendance; adapt to new technologies and systems; comply with applicable regulations and policies; and perform additional duties as assigned.