Strategic Advocacy Staff Attorney - Albany

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

4d•$89,357 - $108,723•Hybrid

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY), a nonprofit civil legal services program, is seeking a Strategic Advocacy Staff Attorney for its Albany Office. LASNNY's mission is to fight for fairness, dignity, and justice for those living in poverty and to promote an inclusive and equitable society. The organization transforms lives, builds communities, and empowers people by addressing individual and systemic wrongs and inequities through the law. Their service area covers sixteen counties in upstate New York, with six regional offices. Attorneys in the Advocacy Department implement strategies for impactful advocacy in economic and social justice across a range of civil legal issues. This role requires a systemic approach to address deep-seated inequities. The staff attorney will collaborate with other practice areas at LASNNY to identify and challenge systemic civil rights violations and injustices affecting large groups of clients in areas such as housing, employment discrimination, and public benefits. The position involves centering community input, co-creating solutions, providing community legal education, and supporting community-led advocacy efforts. In strategic impact cases, the attorney will plan, develop, file, or defend lawsuits that aim to change laws or protect rights beyond individual outcomes. The role also involves direct representation, coalition collaboration, white paper drafting, participation in rulemaking, and media campaigns.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree
Admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York or eligible for admission
Minimum 7 years of post-admission legal experience
Willing and able to travel throughout our service area regularly
Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills
Experience in 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 with community lawyering or community organizing with demonstrated 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 US District Court for the Northern District of New York
Work in one or more of LASNNY's practice areas (family/DV law, housing defense, disability rights, public benefits, consumer, worker and other civil rights)
Appellate practice experience
Legislative experience
Fluency in a language other than English (Spanish preferred)

Responsibilities

Develop and execute legal strategies in collaboration with the Advocacy Director, other LASNNY staff, and community partners to address systemic issues
Conduct legal research and provide analysis on complex systemic legal issues
Identify and work collaboratively 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 the appropriate plaintiffs/petitioners through trial and/or settlement
Mentor and co-chair with other practice staff attorneys; ensure team compliance with all deadlines and case requirements
Take, perfect, and argue appeals on a variety of civil legal matters
Work collaboratively with LASNNY staff and community-based organizations to identify new advocacy opportunities that address community-identified systemic legal issues and organizational priorities
Conduct community education, outreach, and build relationships with communities served by LASNNY
Draft educational materials for media and for the larger community
Collaborate with the communications team for litigation efforts, client stories, and impact
Perform other duties as determined by the Advocacy Director