Managing Attorney – Family Defense

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 131,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Work-life balance

Professional development

Generous PTO

401(k) with employer contributions

Medical, vision, dental insurance

Loan forgiveness (Public Service)

Parking/transit reimbursement

Phone stipend

Job summary

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. in Buffalo, NY seeks a Managing Attorney for the Family Defense unit. You will lead a team of attorneys, social workers, and staff to provide high-quality, client-centered advocacy in Erie County Family Court matters.

You will mentor, train, and supervise staff, shape litigation strategy, and collaborate with community partners to advance access to justice. This is a mission-driven leadership role with broad impact.

Qualifications

• Admission to practice law in New York and in good standing.
• Five years of experience in family law and NY Family Court practice, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of NY Family Court Act, Social Services Law, Domestic Relations Law, CPLR, and Judiciary Law.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and develop staff and interns.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time management.
• Collaborative leadership and commitment to client-centered public interest.
• Driver’s license and access to a vehicle for work.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for high-quality, interdisciplinary services with in-house social workers and staff.
• Supervise intake, case assignment, and litigation strategy while managing a selective caseload.
• Mentor, train, and develop attorneys, interns, and legal staff through structured training.
• Serve as legal and strategic resource on complex issues and new developments.
• Collaborate with courts, social workers, and community partners to improve outcomes.
• Support program growth, performance management, and grant activities.
• Represent the organization in relationships with courts and stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Team mentorship

Public interest law

Job description

Managing Attorney – Family Defense

Lead. Advocate. Mentor. Make a Lasting Impact.

Are you a passionate family defense attorney ready to take the next step in your leadership career? Do you thrive in a mission-driven environment where your expertise can help protect the rights of families and strengthen a team of dedicated advocates?

We are seeking an experienced family defense attorney for a Managing Attorney role to provide strategic leadership, legal oversight, training and mentorship, and day-to-day management of our Family Defense practice. In this critical leadership role, you will guide a talented team of attorneys, social workers, and legal assistants, while ensuring exceptional legal representation for parents and caregivers involved in Erie County Family Court matters.

This is more than a management position, it’s an opportunity to shape legal advocacy, mentor the next generation of attorneys, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of families throughout our community.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to be part of a mission-driven organization where your leadership directly impacts families, strengthens communities, and supports meaningful access to justice.

• Competitive Salary: $130,815 – $162,610 commensurate with
• Work-life Balance: A regular full-time schedule designed to provide a healthy and sustainable work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Join a supportive environment that aims to support professional development opportunities through mentoring, structured training, paid professional memberships, and paid CLE.
• 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
• 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, supplemental term life insurance, and other voluntary insurance
• Loan Forgiveness: PSLF-eligible employment and additional NYS loan forgiveness
• Additional Benefits: Life insurance, FSA, parking/transit reimbursement, monthly stipend for mobile phones, and more!

What You’ll Do!

As a key leader within the Civil Legal Services Unit, you will work closely with the Chief Attorney and executive leadership to advance the Bureau’s mission and ensure the delivery of high-quality, client-centered legal services.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and oversight for the delivery of high-quality, inter-disciplinary services that utilize in-house social workers, client advocates, and legal assistants aimed at ensuring excellence in advocacy and representation.
• Supervise case intake, assignment, and litigation strategy while maintaining a selective caseload and advising clients on legal matters.
• Mentor, train, and develop attorneys, interns, and legal staff through ongoing supervision, coaching, and development and administration of structured training
• Serve as a legal and strategic resource, providing guidance on complex case issues, emerging legal developments, and best practices.
• Collaborate with attorneys, social workers, courts, and community partners to advance client outcomes and promote access to justice.
• Support program growth and organizational initiatives through staff training, performance management, grant activities, and operational planning.
• Represent the organization in relationships with courts, stakeholders, and community partners, helping to strengthen the impact of the program and its mission.

Qualifications:

• Admission to practice law in New York and good standing with the New York State
• Five years of experience in family law and New York Family Court practice, or a combination of training, education, and experience that is the equivalent of the
• Knowledge of statutory laws related to family court practice in New York State, including NYS Family Court Act, Social Services Law, Domestic Relations Law, Civil Practice Law and Rules, and Judiciary Law; trial and appellate court procedures; legal research methods; rules of evidence; standard legal office practice and procedures; and ethical and professional rules of conduct.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and develop
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time management
• Collaborative leadership style and commitment to client-centered
• Dedication to public interest law and expanding access to
• 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

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Only applicants whose backgrounds align with the qualifications outlined above will be contacted.

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.