Strategic Advocacy Staff Attorney - Albany

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

3d•$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 create an inclusive and equitable society. The organization transforms lives, builds communities, and empowers people by using the law to address individual and systemic wrongs and inequities across sixteen counties in upstate New York through six regional offices. This role is part of the Advocacy Department, focusing on impactful advocacy for economic and social justice through a systemic approach that addresses deep-seated inequities. The staff attorney will collaborate with other practice areas to identify and challenge systemic civil rights violations and injustices affecting large groups of clients in areas like housing, employment discrimination, and public benefits. Key aspects of the role include centering community, co-creating solutions, providing community legal education, supporting community-led advocacy, and engaging in strategic impact cases. This involves planning, developing, filing, or defending lawsuits that aim to change laws or protect rights beyond individual cases. The attorney will also utilize various advocacy tools such as litigation, 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 3-5 years of post-admission legal litigation 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.