Law Clerk Opportunities - Amsterdam

Job Description

Job Description

LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF NORTHEASTERN NEW YORKLaw Clerk Opportunities Spring 2026The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) provides effective, free civil legal services and education to and advocacy for people with low income or other barriers to accessing the legal system. We secure basic needs, protect and preserve legal rights, provide equal access to justice, and seek fairness and dignity for all our clients. We have offices in Albany, Amsterdam, Canton, Gloversville, Plattsburgh, and Saratoga Springs to serve low and moderate-income residents of Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington Counties and the St. Regis Reservation.HIRING CRITERIA:Commitment to providing legal services to the poor. Excellent research and writing skills. Ability to work well under stress and time pressure. Prior relevant experience in legal services to the poor, especially law school clinical experience, and the ability to speak Spanish is a plus. Law clerks will be paid $25 per hour. All work performed with Legal Aid will count towards the 50-hour pro bono requirement for admission to the New York State Bar. Law clerks must be willing to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week. Our clerkships are available remotely or in person. We also offer hybrid work options.APPLICATION DEADLINE:Spring clerkships - Accepting applications until filled.Applications submitted after the posting expires will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.DOCUMENTS REQUIRED: Cover Letter (cover letter should state what program(s) and LASNNY office(s) are of interest to applicant), Resume, and Writing Sample are required.LASNNY is committed to the creation of an inclusive and diverse workplace and providing Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action to all applicants. We strongly encourage applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ individuals, protected veterans, applicants and recipients of public assistance, the elderly, and people with disabilities.PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS:Below are descriptions of the various programs offered at LASNNY. Please specify which program(s) you are interested in working with and which office(s) you are interested in working with in your cover letter. Law clerks generally gain experience interacting with clients; researching and writing both court documents and client correspondence; attending court appearances, administrative hearings, or other meetings; and exposure to a law firm environment.Disability Advocacy Program - All OfficesDAP advocates represent clients with physical and mental impairments including, but not limited to, clients suffering from intellectual limitations, anxiety, depression, HIV, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, musculoskeletal impairments, Crohn's disease, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. DAP advocates review medical, educational, and vocational records to argue if adults and children meet the rules for a finding of disability as defined by the Social Security Administration. DAP law clerks will have the opportunity to perform research and writing for federal court cases, administrative appeals, and administrative hearings. They will also call clients, observe meetings and hearings, and assist attorneys in preparation for hearings.Domestic Violence Legal Assistance (DVLAP) - Amsterdam and Saratoga OfficesDVLAP services include assistance with obtaining Orders of Protection, Child and Spousal Support, Custody and Visitation, and Divorce. We also assist survivors of domestic violence with their civil legal problems related to public assistance, food stamps, foreclosure, landlord/tenant, consumer, employment, and immigration issues. Clerks must have an understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and/or experience with domestic violence or sexual assault work. This clerkship will provide the student with solid experience with client interviewing and counseling, petition and motion drafting, and family court practice. Students must be willing to occasionally travel for court appearances and client meetings.Regional Intake - All OfficesRegional Intake Attorneys provide Legal advice to clients. They engage with clients, understand their legal issues, and provide essential guidance with empathy and integrity. Each day, they gather case information, conduct legal consultations, and assess client needs, ensuring that no challenge goes unaddressed. They collaborate with a talented team, leveraging innovative approaches to problem-solving. Clerk responsibilities include but are not limited to client interviewing; legal research and writing; document review and analysis; investigation; drafting legal documents and correspondence.Senior Legal Services (SLS) - Amsterdam OfficeThe Senior Legal Services Program provides legal advice and assistance to people aged 60 years or older. We primarily advise people with estate planning issues, but also assist in other practice areas such as housing, benefits counseling, consumer debt, among others. The law clerk will assist the Senior Legal Services attorneys with interviewing clients, researching legal issues, and providing advice.