KAS Project / VA Legal Services for Veterans (LSV-H) Staff Attorney

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY•Canton, NY

5d•Hybrid

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 the KAS Project, and serving veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through the VA Legal Services for Veterans - Homelessness (LSV-H) program. This position is based in our Canton office and includes regular in-person presence on the Akwesasne territory. The KAS Project provides civil legal services to eligible tribal members and Akwesasne residents without income or asset restrictions. The LSV-H program, funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, provides civil legal help to veterans who are homeless or at serious risk of losing their housing. The attorney will work alongside VA case managers, veteran service organizations, and community partners.

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.