Matrimonial Attorney

Building Service 32BJ Benefit Funds; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The 32BJ Legal Services Fund seeks a Staff Attorney for the Matrimonial Unit to provide legal services to eligible members. You will report to the Director and collaborate with Directors to represent members in matrimonial matters, prepare pleadings, manage case files, and supervise paralegals as needed.

JD and NYS license required; bilingual English/Spanish preferred. The role emphasizes ethics, confidentiality, and client-centered advocacy within a union-funded program.

Qualifications

• JD and authorization to practice law in NYS required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency preferred, but not required.
• 1 to 3 years experience in Matrimonial Law.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation to members in Matrimonial Law, before courts and related venues
• Meet with clients to determine an appropriate course of action, under the direction of Directors
• Prepare legal pleadings, stipulations, motions and other legal documents
• Write, review and edit documents and correspondence
• Discuss case progress with Directors and provide reports summarizing case status
• Obtain court records
• Maintain ongoing contact with clients, opposing counsel and courts
• Update case files timely, including court notes, correspondence and file records; and complete other physical and ministerial duties as necessary to maintain client files and to comply with office procedures
• Perform legal research
• Train and supervise (work product only) paralegals and support staff
• Be familiar with substantive and procedural law in area of practice
• Have knowledge of areas covered under the Legal Services Plan
• Safeguard all confidential client materials and information, adhering to privacy laws and internal policies on confidentiality
• Actively participate in regular team meetings, contributing to discussions, sharing insights, and collaborating on projects and case strategies
• Attend member information meetings and other outreach activities as directed by supervisory staff, including occasional travel, to promote the Legal Services Fund and engage with the membership
• Demonstrated technical dexterity, including proficiency with case management software, digital evidence preparation, electronic filing systems, and AI-assisted tools for drafting, summarizing, and document review, consistent with ethical and confidentiality requirements
• Comfort with digital evidence formats (PDF organization, redaction software)
• Competency in virtual practice tools (Teams, Zoom court, online meetings)
• Maintain a professional demeanor, workspace, and appearance as a representative of the Legal Services Fund

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency

1-3 years Matrimonial Law experience

Education

JD and authorization to practice law in NYS

Job description

Legal Fund Matrimonial

Supervising Attorneys and Director of the Legal Services Fund

Exempt

232

No

About Us:

Building Services 32BJ Benefit Funds(“the Funds”) is the umbrella organization responsible for administering Health, Pension, Retirement Savings, Training, and Legal Services benefits to over 100,000 SEIU 32BJ members. Our mission is to make significant contributions to the lives of our members by providing high quality benefits and services. Through our commitment, we embody five core values: Flexibility, Initiative, Respect, Sustainability, and Teamwork (FIRST). By following our core values, employees are open to different and new ways of doing things, take active steps to improve the organization, create an environment of trust and respect, approach their work with the intent of a positive outcome, and work collaboratively with colleagues.

The Funds oversees and manages $9 billion of dollars in assets, which are made up of many, varied and complex funds. The dollars come from a number of sources, including the property owners who pay into the funds on behalf of their employees, and as such, requires those who oversee and manage the money to be highly skilled financial management people.

For 2025 and beyond, 32BJ Benefit Funds will continue to drive innovation, equity, and technology insights to further help the lives of our hard-working members and their families. We use cutting edge technology such as: M365, Dynamics 365 CRM, Dynamics 365 F&O, Azure, AWS, SQL, Snowflake, QlikView, and more.

Please take a moment to watch our video to learn more about our culture and contributions to our members: youtu.be/hYNdMGLn19A

Job Code 224

Department Name Legal Fund Matrimonial

Reports To Supervising Attorneys and Director of the Legal Services Fund

FLSA Status Exempt

Union Code 232

Management No

Job Summary:

The 32BJ Legal Services Fund provides legal advice and representation to eligible 32BJ members and their eligible dependents. Reporting to the Director of the Matrimonial Unit and other Directors, the Staff Attorney will provide legal services to the members of Building Service 32BJ who are eligible under the union’s Legal Services Plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide legal representation to members in Matrimonial Law, before courts and related venues
• Meet with clients to determine an appropriate course of action, under the direction of Directors
• Prepare legal pleadings, stipulations, motions and other legal documents
• Write, review and edit documents and correspondence
• Discuss case progress with Directors and provide reports summarizing case status
• Obtain court records
• Maintain ongoing contact with clients, opposing counsel and courts
• Update case files timely, including court notes, correspondence and file records; and complete other physical and ministerial duties as necessary to maintain client files and to comply with office procedures
• Perform legal research
• Train and supervise (work product only) paralegals and support staff
• Be familiar with substantive and procedural law in area of practice
• Have knowledge of areas covered under the Legal Services Plan
• Safeguard all confidential client materials and information, adhering to privacy laws and internal policies on confidentiality
• Actively participate in regular team meetings, contributing to discussions, sharing insights, and collaborating on projects and case strategies
• Attend member information meetings and other outreach activities as directed by supervisory staff, including occasional travel, to promote the Legal Services Fund and engage with the membership
• Demonstrated technical dexterity, including proficiency with case management software, digital evidence preparation, electronic filing systems, and AI-assisted tools for drafting, summarizing, and document review, consistent with ethical and confidentiality requirements
• Comfort with digital evidence formats (PDF organization, redaction software)
• Competency in virtual practice tools (Teams, Zoom court, online meetings)
• Maintain a professional demeanor, workspace, and appearance as a representative of the Legal Services Fund

Qualifications (Competencies):

• JD and authorization to practice law in NYS required
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency preferred, but not required
• 1 to 3 years experience in Matrimonial Law

Education:

JD and authorization to practice law in NYS required

Language Skills:

Bilingual English/Spanish Proficiency Preferred, But Not Required

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of 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 to perform the essential functions.

• Under 1/3 of the time: Standing, Walking, Climbing or Balancing, Stooping, Kneeling, Crouching, or Crawling
• Over 2/3 of the time: Talking or Hearing
• 100% of the time: Using Hands

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.