Attorney Consultant (Experienced)

Mental Health Advocates of Western New York; Buffalo (NY); Presencial; USD 45.000 - 65.000; A tiempo parcial

Descripción de la vacante

Mental Health Advocates (MHA) is launching a 175-hour pilot to create an Uncontested Divorce Clinic within its Legal Services program. The project aims to provide access to justice for individuals with mental health challenges, offering structured workflows, toolkits, and direct legal assistance.

The ideal attorney consultant has 5+ years in New York matrimonial law, NY Bar admission, and experience serving clients with trauma or mental illness.

Formación

• 5+ years of legal practice in New York State matrimonial and family law.
• Active, good-standing admission to the New York State Bar.
• Subject matter expertise working with individuals living with mental illness, neurodivergence, or trauma.

Responsabilidades

• Clinic Framework & Workflow Design: Establish screening tools, guidelines, and intake procedures modeled after WNY civil legal aid clinics.
• Trauma-Informed Practice: Develop intake and communication methodologies for clients with mental illness ensuring high-quality legal support.
• Pro Se Document & Packet Creation: Draft plain-language instructions and templates for NY uncontested divorce packets.
• Direct Advocacy & Legal Consultation: Conduct legal assessments, advise on the divorce process, assist with filing.
• Community Referral Mapping: Build referrals with local mental health providers and advocate networks.
• Pilot Evaluation: Track data, solicit feedback, and summarize findings for sustainability.

Conocimientos

Matrimonial law

Legal practice

Empathy

Court familiarity

Descripción del empleo

Employment Type: Contract/Temporary Consultant (Project-Based)

Project Duration: 175 Hours Total

Reports To: Director of Legal Services

About Us

At Mental Health Advocates (MHA), our legal work is dedicated to making a significant difference in the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges. We specialize in helping some of the most vulnerable members of the Western New York Community solve problems and achieve their basic needs. Our team works across various civil legal subject areas, offering the opportunity to gain valuable experience and exposure to diverse cases. If you have a passion for promoting social justice and an interest in the mental health field, you'll thrive here as you help empower those who need it most.

Position Summary

MHA is seeking a highly skilled, mission-driven experienced attorney consultant to design, launch, manage a new, pilot project for an Uncontested Divorce Clinic within our Legal Services program. The initiative is to provide access to justice and due process to vulnerable Western New Yorkers. Specifically, this project will serve individuals living with mental illness or psychiatric disorders. Navigating matrimonial matters can be an overwhelming and often insurmountable barrier for indigent individuals with complex mental health needs. This 175-hour pilot program aims to establish structured, trauma-informed protocols, create accessible legal toolkits, and directly assist an initial cohort of eligible clients in achieving legal closure and independence.

Essential Functions

• Assessment & Strategic Planning

• Materials & Workflow Development

• Stakeholder Alignment & Volunteer Recruitment

• Training & Standard Operating Procedures

• Pilot Launch Execution & Evaluation

Key Responsibilities

• Clinic Framework & Workflow Design: Establish screening tools, operational guidelines, and intake procedures modeled after high-standard WNY civil legal aid clinics to ensure efficient, compassionate case handling.

• Trauma-Informed Practice: Develop intake and communication methodologies customized to the unique needs of individuals living with severe or persistent mental illness, ensuring high-quality, dignified legal support.

• Pro Se Document & Packet Creation: Draft standardized, plain-language legal instructions and streamlined templates for New York State uncontested divorce packets that clients can confidently utilize.

• Direct Advocacy & Legal Consultation: Conduct legal assessments, confirm client eligibility under local supreme court rules, advise clients on the divorce process, and assist with document preparation and filing.

• Community Referral Mapping: Collaborate with local Western New York mental health service providers, case management networks, and local advocate systems to build a trusted referral and outreach pipeline.

• Pilot Evaluation: Track operational data, compile brief client feedback metrics, and summarize findings in a short closing report to help the organization assess future project sustainability.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: 5+ years of legal practice, with an extensive background in New York State matrimonial and family law.

• Licensure: Active, good-standing admission to the New York State Bar.

• Subject Matter Expertise: Proven experience working with individuals living with mental illness, neurodivergence, or trauma. A profound capacity for empathy and professional patience is mandatory.

• WNY Court Familiarity: Practical knowledge of local court environments (such as the Erie County or Niagara County Supreme/Familyp Courts).

Project Timeline & Compensation

• Term: A fixed-term consulting engagement strictly limited to 175 hours.

• Schedule: Flexible scheduling to be mutually agreed upon prior to hiring.

• Compensation: $40 Hourly or flat-sum contract rate is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Travel Requirements

Incumbents must possess a valid Driver License and reliable transportation with the ability to travel within New York State, as well as nationally, if required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit for long periods of time. The employee is required to regularly reach with arms and hands; use hands to handle. Hands and fingers frequently perform repetitive motion, including typing/keying. Occasionally, the employee will lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. This job requires close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to regularly talk and hear.

The above job description is not a contractual or binding document; it is provided as a guide to the types of duties required to be undertaken. Duties may vary from time to time, and this description is subject to review. Modifications will be made as needed to support changes in the business climate and requirements.