Staff Attorney - Civil Unit - Buffalo, NY

Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project•Buffalo, NY

23d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. (VLP) is hiring a full-time Staff Attorney for its Civil Unit in Buffalo, New York. The position combines direct client advocacy with preparing cases for pro bono representation. The attorney will handle a caseload involving full representation, brief services, and advice and counsel across civil legal matters, including estate matters, end-of-life planning, bankruptcy, name changes, divorce, and other civil legal issues. The attorney will work with a supervisor and team members to learn new areas of law, develop professional skills, and collaborate with volunteer attorneys. Training is available. VLP is a nonprofit civil legal services organization serving low-income community members. The role includes maintaining electronic case files and case-management records, participating in case conferences, working with attorneys, paralegals, support staff, and interns, and supporting legal clinics, presentations, and community events. The position offers a 35-hour work week, a flexible schedule, and a hybrid work environment with two days in the office per week in 2027 after completion of the introductory period. VLP strongly discourages evening and weekend work. Applicants must have a J.D., be admitted to practice in New York State and in good standing, and hold a valid New York State driver's license with reliable transportation. VLP especially encourages applications from attorneys with one to three years of experience and will train the successful candidate in the civil legal matters it handles. Applicants must submit both a resume and a cover letter explaining their interest. Interviews are for a January 2027 start date.

Requirements

J.D. degree.
Admission to practice law in New York State and good standing.
Strong writing, advocacy, organization, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Commitment to serving low-income and underserved communities.
Valid New York State driver's license and reliable transportation.
Technology skills to work in a fully paperless office.
Submit a resume and a cover letter explaining interest in the position.

Nice To Haves

The employer especially encourages attorneys with one to three years of experience; training in the civil legal matters handled by VLP is available.
Experience with LegalServer, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.

Responsibilities

Represent clients through full representation, brief services, and advice and counsel in a variety of civil legal matters.
Handle cases involving estate matters, end-of-life planning, bankruptcy, name changes, divorce, and other civil legal issues.
Prepare cases for pro bono representation through volunteer attorneys.
Maintain accurate and organized electronic case files and case-management records.
Participate in case conferences and collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, support staff, and interns.
Support community outreach through legal clinics, presentations, and community events.
Work with the supervisor and team to learn new areas of law and build professional skills.

Benefits

35-hour work weeks and work-life balance.
Flexible schedule and hybrid work environment, with two days in-office per week in 2027 after the introductory period.
Federal and state student loan forgiveness opportunities, including the NYS District Attorney and Legal Services Attorney Loan Forgiveness Program, beginning in the fourth year of employment.
Medical insurance 90% paid by VLP and a funded HRA to help meet the deductible.
Vision insurance.
Dental insurance.
Life and AD&D insurance.
Flexible spending account (FSA).
Dependent Care FSA.
Pretax transit and parking benefits.
403(b) with employer contributions after 24 months.
Training and professional skill development.