Disability Advocacy Program (DAP) Staff Attorney

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY; City of Amsterdam (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time off

Health insurance premiums paid by LAS

Long-term disability insurance

Retirement contributions

Tuition reimbursement

Moving expenses

Flexible hybrid-remote schedules

Job summary

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York seeks a Disability Advocacy Program Staff Attorney in Amsterdam to represent clients with intellectual, mental or physical disabilities across sixteen counties. You will handle SSI/SSDI claims, provide counsel, referrals, hearings, and engage in systemic advocacy within a supportive, unionized environment.

We offer generous time off, comprehensive health and disability coverage, retirement contributions, tuition reimbursement, moving assistance, and

Qualifications

• Must be licensed to practice law in NYS or be eligible for admission.
• Must communicate effectively with clients and staff, work independently and collaboratively.
• Experience in community lawyering or community organizing preferred.
• Must be willing to travel throughout the service area.
• New York State resident with reliable transportation.
• Strong computer, administrative, reporting, and data entry skills.
• Multilingual, Spanish or Chinese preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance to clients dealing with intellectual, mental or physical limitations.
• Provide legal representation and assistance in Social Security Disability and SSI claims and may handle public assistance/Medicaid cases.
• Provide a full range of legal services, including counsel and advice, referrals, representation in hearings, litigation, systemic advocacy, community education, outreach and engagement, and community lawyering.
• Participate in training and advocacy initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with clients while navigating complex legal landscapes with empathy and integrity.
• Work collaboratively with LASNNY attorneys/paralegals to maximize access to LASNNY services.

Skills

Licensed NYS attorney

Effective communication

Community lawyering experience

Travel willingness

Multilingual (Spanish/Chinese)

Computer / data entry skills

Job description

Ready to Make a Difference?

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, a nonprofit civil legal services program, is seeking a Disability Advocacy Program Staff Attorney. The Attorney will primarily be responsible for providing legal representation and assistance 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. Our service area spans sixteen counties, in upstate New York, encompassing six regional offices. This position is based out of our Amsterdam Office. For more information about our work, our staff, and our clients, visit www.lasnny.org

We are a unionized program with excellent benefits, offering generous time off, excellent health insurance coverage with premiums primarily paid by LASNNY, health and long-term disability insurance, retirement contributions, tuition reimbursement, qualifying moving expenses, and flexible hybrid-remote and alternative work schedules.

We seek an attorney who will be dedicated to our mission and will seek justice and fairness for individuals in our community. We are skilled, creative and compassionate advocates combining a passion to serve with the skills and will to address both individual and systemic injustice.

Skills and Education Requirements

• Must be licensed to practice law in NYS or be eligible for admission. Law Graduates will be considered if they have taken the bar exam.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with clients and staff, work independently and efficiently, and be able to problem solve and work collaboratively with community partner agency staff.
• Training or experience in community lawyering or community organizing, 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 preferred.
• Must be willing to travel throughout our service area
• New York State resident with reliable transportation
• Strong computer, administrative, reporting, and data entry skills required.
• Multi‑lingual, Spanish, or Chinese preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance to clients dealing with intellectual, mental or physical limitations.
• Provide legal representation and assistance in Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims and may be assigned cases involving eligibility for public assistance and Medicaid benefits.
• Provide a full range of legal services, including counsel and advice, referrals, representation in administrative hearings, affirmative and defensive litigation, systemic advocacy, community legal education, outreach and engagement, and community lawyering.
• Participate in training and advocacy initiatives, ensuring your skills and knowledge remain sharp.
• Build strong relationships with clients while navigating complex legal landscapes, all within a supportive and relaxed company culture that prioritizes empathy and integrity.
• Work collaboratively with other LASNNY attorneys/paralegals to maximize access to LASNNY services.

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional law office environment and occasionally may require the carrying of regular office supplies. This role requires using standard office equipment and software and remote videoconferencing platforms. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

At LASNNY we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state or local laws. In furtherance of our culture, we strongly encourage applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQI+ persons, protected veterans, applicants and recipients of public assistance, older adults, and people with disabilities.

If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at LASNNY. We will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

Salary

This is a union position subject to a negotiated pay scale under the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The referenced pay range represents the estimated minimum and maximum compensation for this position. Individual salary offers are determined based on the duties of the position, the applicant's experience as credited under the CBA, applicable grant funding levels, and other relevant considerations, including education, qualifications, expertise, market data, and internal equity.