Strategic Advocacy Staff Attorney - Albany

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY•Albany, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY), a nonprofit civil legal services program serving sixteen upstate New York counties through six regional offices, is seeking a Strategic Advocacy Staff Attorney based in its Albany Office. Attorneys in the Advocacy Department develop and implement strategies to advance economic and social justice across civil legal issues, focusing on systemic inequities. The attorney will collaborate with other practice areas and community partners to identify and challenge systemic civil rights violations and injustices affecting groups of clients, including issues involving access to safe housing, employment discrimination, and denial of public benefits. The attorney will center community perspectives, co-create solutions, provide community legal education, and support community-led advocacy. The role includes planning and managing strategic impact cases intended to affect more than one person and change laws or protect the rights of impacted people. Alongside direct representation, the attorney will use a range of legal and non-legal advocacy approaches, including litigation, coalition collaboration, white paper drafting, rulemaking participation, and media campaigns. This is a union position governed by a negotiated pay scale under the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Individual compensation depends on factors including experience credited under the agreement, grant funding, education, qualifications, expertise, market data, and internal equity. The role is based in a professional law office and involves regular travel throughout LASNNY’s service area. LASNNY offers a flexible hybrid-remote arrangement and alternative work schedules.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree.
Admitted to practice law in New York State or eligible for admission.
At least 3–5 years of post-admission legal litigation experience.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout LASNNY’s service area.
Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
Experience initiating affirmative litigation in state and/or federal court.
Courtroom experience in civil litigation matters.
Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income populations, social justice, and equity.
Training or experience in community lawyering or community organizing, with strong listening and relationship-building skills.
Experience, creativity, and willingness to use varied legal and non-legal advocacy tools to advance community-identified initiatives.
New York State resident with reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

Admission to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Experience in one or more LASNNY practice areas, including family/DV law, housing defense, disability rights, public benefits, consumer law, worker rights, or other civil rights.
Appellate practice experience.
Legislative experience.
Fluency in a language other than English; Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute legal strategies with the Advocacy Director, LASNNY staff, and community partners to address systemic issues.
Conduct legal research and analyze complex systemic legal issues.
Identify and collaborate with other staff and pro bono co-counsel.
Draft and review pleadings, briefs, motions, memoranda, advocacy letters, and rulemaking comments.
Lead and manage litigation matters, from selecting plaintiffs or petitioners through trial and/or settlement.
Mentor and co-chair with other practice staff attorneys, and ensure team compliance with deadlines and case requirements.
Take, perfect, and argue appeals in a variety of civil legal matters.
Work with LASNNY staff and community-based organizations to identify advocacy opportunities addressing community-identified systemic legal issues and organizational priorities.
Conduct community education and outreach, and build relationships with communities served by LASNNY.
Draft educational materials for media and the broader community.
Collaborate with the communications team on litigation efforts, client stories, and impact.
Perform other duties as determined by the Advocacy Director.