Staff Attorney - Housing

Overview The Jamestown office of LawNY® seeks to fill an immediate opening for a full time Staff Attorney in its Housing Unit. The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal representation, primarily in eviction defense cases in Chautauqua with additional town and village coverage in Cattaraugus County. The candidate must have the caring, patience, and emotional maturity to help people with low-income overcome crisis situations. Staff Attorneys at LawNY® provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of how civil legal issues affecting communities with low-income intersect with social and economic justice. Staff Attorneys help realize LawNY®’s vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and are expected to actively engage in learning and developing practice that supports this vision. Qualifications Basic Requirements Admitted to practice and in good standing in New York State. Demonstrated commitment of service to people with low-income. Excellent oral and written communication skills Additional Competencies Experience in housing, poverty law, and related areas is expected, with a commitment to culturally competent and trauma-informed service delivery. Responsibilities Maintain a full-time caseload representing eligible clients served by the Eviction Prevention Unit. Develop and maintain specialized knowledge in housing matters, particularly landlord-tenant, subsidized housing, and government benefits. Provide legal services to low-income clients and client groups including advice, negotiation, litigation and administrative advocacy. Interact respectfully with clients from diverse backgrounds, with awareness of cultural competence and humility. Collaborate with other LawNY® advocates, human services providers, non-profits and community groups, as well as courts and tribunals, to address legal problems and provide community legal education. Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment for colleagues. Cooperate in grant reporting, program reporting, timekeeping, file maintenance, case closing and compliance review. Maintain professional competence through training and ongoing learning in poverty law and equity-focused client service. Additional Traits and Skills Litigation and advocacy experience in state and/or federal court and/or administrative forums within related poverty-law areas (e.g., landlord-tenant, foreclosure, bankruptcy, homelessness prevention, fair housing, government benefits). Ability to apply an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens to legal practice. Understanding of structural and institutional racism and its impact on underserved communities. Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to trauma-informed services. Lived experience with client communities. Fluency in a language other than English spoken by clients (desired). Compensation & Benefits The beginning salary for a Staff Attorney with no experience is $75,000 and the salary for a Staff Attorney with thirty years of experience is $111,100. Salary will be based on experience. LawNY is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). 94% Employer paid Medical Premium with 100% Employer paid in-network deductible 100% Employer paid Dental Insurance 100% Employer paid Life Insurance 100% Employer paid Enhanced Short-term Disability 100% Employer paid Long-term Disability Vision Insurance 20 Paid Vacation days per year 12 Sick days per year 5 Personal days per year 13.5 Holidays plus 2 floating Holidays per year 35-Hour Work Week Hybrid Work Schedule: new staff can work from home up to 3 days per week; after 6 months, this can increase to 5 days per week with Manager approval, workload permitting. Organization Information Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY®) is a not-for-profit law firm that provides free civil legal services to clients with low income in a 14-county area of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier. LawNY® has seven field offices and satellite offices in multiple locations, and a business office in Rochester. LawNY® has over 180 employees and is committed to equitable inclusion across race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ability, religion, economic status, ethnicity, national origin, and culture. We aim to create a law firm where race equity, diversity and cultural competency are integral to our work. Application Process Review our full application process and tips for your application and interview at LawNY. To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and three professional references through LawNY®’s BambooHR platform found here: When outlining work experience on a resume, please label each position as full-time or part-time and describe unpaid volunteer/internships accordingly. The application is open until filled. LawNY® is committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive workplace. In your cover letter, please explain how your background and experience contribute to our mission, vision and values. If you require accommodations, email View email address on click.appcast.io. LawNY will provide necessary hardware to support your role. Questions? Contact Michelle Grillone at View email address on click.appcast.io LawNY is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act. #J-18808-Ljbffr Legal Assistance Of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY)