Strategic Advocacy Staff Attorney - Albany

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY•City of Albany, NY

2d•$89,357 - $108,723•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, seeks a Strategic Advocacy Staff Attorney based in its Albany Office. LASNNY works to advance fairness, dignity, and justice for people living in poverty and to promote an inclusive and equitable society by using the law to address individual and systemic wrongs and inequities. Attorneys in the Advocacy Department develop strategies for economic and social justice across a broad range of civil legal issues, taking a systemic approach to deep-seated inequities. The attorney will work with other practice areas to identify and challenge systemic civil rights violations and injustices affecting groups of clients, including issues such as unequal access to safe housing, employment discrimination, and wrongful denial of public benefits. The role centers community partnership, co-created solutions, community legal education, and support for community-led advocacy. The attorney will plan, develop, file, or defend impact cases intended to affect more than one individual and change laws or protect the rights of affected people. Alongside direct representation of individual clients and client groups, the attorney will use available legal and non-legal advocacy tools, including litigation, coalition collaboration, white paper drafting, rulemaking participation, and media campaigns. This unionized position offers a flexible hybrid-remote and alternative work schedule. It operates in a professional law office and may occasionally require carrying regular office supplies. The role uses standard office equipment, software, and remote videoconferencing platforms. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for individuals with disabilities. The position requires regular travel throughout LASNNY’s service area. Compensation follows a negotiated union pay scale; individual offers depend on factors including credited experience, funding, education, qualifications, expertise, market data, and internal equity.

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.
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.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout LASNNY’s service area.

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 is 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 wider community.
Collaborate with the communications team on litigation efforts, client stories, and impact.
Perform other duties as determined by the Advocacy Director.