Staff Attorney - Family Defense - Civil Legal Services

Advocate for Families. Protect Rights. Change Lives. Are you passionate about standing beside families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives? Join our Family Defense team and make a meaningful impact by providing high-quality legal representation to adults involved in Erie County Family Court matters. This is an opportunity to be part of a collaborative, mission-driven team that combines legal advocacy, client support, and community resources to help families navigate complex legal challenges and achieve better outcomes. Why Join Us? Competitive Salary: $83,959 - $98,399, commensurate with experience. Work-life Balance: A full-time position consisting of a 40-hour work week, inclusive of lunch, with scheduling flexibility consistent with the Attorney’s Union Collective Bargaining Agreement. Professional Development: Join a supportive environment that aims to provide professional development opportunities through mentoring, structured training, paid professional memberships, and paid CLE. This is an opportunity to develop courtroom, litigation, and trial advocacy skills in a supportive environment. Generous PTO: First-year employees are eligible for 12 vacation days, 6 personal days, 4 floating holidays, 11 paid holidays, and 15 sick days, as well as eligibility for paid parental leave. Retirement: 401(k) provided with up to 8% employer contributions after 1 year of employment. Insurance: Medical benefits with generous employer contribution to premiums, and access to a wide-range of additional benefits like vision, dental, long- and short-term disability, and more. Loan Forgiveness: PSLF-eligible employment and additional NYS loan forgiveness opportunities. Additional Benefits: Life insurance, FSA, parking/transit reimbursement, monthly stipend for mobile phones, and more! What You'll Do! Working from our Buffalo, NY office, you will primarily provide client-centered, inter-disciplinary representation in Erie County Family Court proceedings. You will advocate for clients throughout all stages of litigation, with the assistance of a team of social workers, client advocates, and legal assistants, while helping protect family integrity and advancing access to justice. Primary Responsibilities Include: Represent clients in virtual and in-person Family Court proceedings, including hearings, conferences, and trials. Provide client-centered legal advocacy, counseling, and guidance throughout the life of a case. Conduct client meetings in a variety of settings, including offices, courts, community locations, and remotely. Draft motions, pleadings, legal memoranda, discovery documents, appeals, and other legal filings. Negotiate settlements and participate in mediations and conferences. Collaborate with social workers, client advocates, and support staff to connect clients with services and resources that strengthen families. Maintain accurate case records and stay current on developments in family law. Build trusted relationships with clients while protecting their rights and advancing their goals. Qualifications: Admission to practice law in New York and good standing with the New York State Bar, or a law school graduate awaiting bar results and admission to the NYS Bar. A strong commitment to family defense, parent advocacy, and social justice. Excellent communication, advocacy, legal research, and writing skills. Ability to manage a caseload, think strategically, and work both independently and collaboratively. Experience in Family Court or family law is preferred but not required. Possession of a valid NYS driver’s license and access to a registered, insured vehicle available for use during working hours, or demonstrated capacity to meet this requirement. The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status. Join us in advancing justice for families and building stronger communities—one client, one case, and one outcome at a time. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Bankruptcy Court - District of CT