Matrimonial Civil Litigator – Public Interest Attorney

Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. is seeking a Staff Attorney in the Civil Legal Services Unit to represent clients in divorce and related matters. This on-site position at 290 Main St., Buffalo, NY offers a chance to impact Western New York communities through quality representation.

The role emphasizes client-centered service, trauma-informed practice, and collaboration with a team of attorneys to ensure access to justice. Competitive benefits and a full-time schedule are provided.

Qualifications

• Active NY State Bar membership required.
• Experience in matrimonial matters preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.

Responsibilities

• Attend court appearances in person or virtually.
• Interview clients in various settings.
• Advise and counsel clients on legal and life issues.
• Prepare petitions, pleadings, motions, and briefs.
• Engage in negotiations, settlements, and mediations.
• Maintain accurate case management records.
• Collaborate with unit attorneys and supervising attorneys.

Skills

Matrimonial law

Client representation

Court appearances

Education

Juris Doctor / JD

Admitted to NY State Bar

Job description

Staff Attorney – Matrimonial – Civil Legal Services

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Staff Attorney in our Civil Legal Services Unit to contribute to our impact on Western New York communities. This Attorneys’ Union position will initially primarily focus on representing clients in divorce and other related matters. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals in the Western New York Community by working to ensure that all individuals have access to quality representation.

Given the nature of our work, this Staff Attorney position is expected to work primarily on-site from our office located at 290 Main St., Buffalo, NY.

Who are we?

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.has been providing access to justice and due process to the most vulnerable individuals,childrenand families in the Western New York Community for over 100 years.Usinga holistic approach, we provide quality, client-centered legal representation in a vast range of criminal and civil matters such as mandated criminal defense, mandated child and youth representation, consumer credit, employment, education, family, post-conviction, appeals, housing, and immigration. Please visitour website to learn more.

Why Join Us?

Competitive Pay:Salary ranging from $83,959 to $103,212commensuratewith relevant experience

Mission-Drive Culture:

• Supportive work environment
• Opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration with colleagues
• Enjoy a full-time, 40-hour work week (inclusive of a lunch period) and build flexibility into your schedule within the parameters of our collective bargaining agreement.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
• Extensive paid time off programs– holiday,vacation, personal, sick time, and more
• Paid parenthood leaveplan.
• 401(k) retirement plan with contributions made bytheLegal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.between6and8%wheneligible.
• Life insurance.
• Voluntarysupplemental insuranceoffering, which includeshort-term disability, long-term disability,term life insuranceplus more.
• Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, flexible spending account, and more.

Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness:Eligible for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.

Key Responsibilities:

Includes but is not limited to:

• Attend both virtual and in-person court appearances.
• Interview clients on a routine basis in a variety of settings, which may include our offices, court, clinics, homes or through remote means.
• Advise, counsel and inform clients regarding the legal and life issues arising in their court proceeding, taking a holistic approach to service and keeping with trauma-informed principles.
• Provide individuals with effective representation and advocacy in all proceedings, including pre-trial conferences, motion practice, hearings, and trials.
• Prepare legal papers, including petitions and pleadings, discovery demands and documents, motions, memoranda of law, briefs, orders and judgments, settlement agreements and notices of appeal.
• Participate in negotiations, settlement conferences and mediations.
• Draft necessary correspondence, electronically file documents, and maintain detailed and accurate case management records.
• Collaborate with Unit attorneys and consult with supervising attorneys, as needed, regarding legal representation of clients.
• Attend formal and informal meetings held by community-based service providers or facilities, as needed or appropriate.
• Participate in out-reach events and information services, including presenting at community events, and hosting walk-in clinics and hot-line assistance.
• Understand and identify community resources that service clients and their families.
• Research, interpret and apply the law in individual matters. Remain current regarding civil laws and regulations and case law.
• Respond promptly and professionally to telephone calls, emails and other communications.
• Participate in local and State committees, initiatives and/or trainings to address needs of client population.
• Attend continuing legal education programs as directed by supervising attorneys and maintain required CLE credits on a biannual basis.

Employment Standards:

• Active membership in the State Bar of New York and
• Experience in matrimonial law preferred; or
• A combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the above employment standard and that provides the required knowledge and abilities
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, and
• Computer proficiency, including, but not limited to, word processing skills and computerized legal research.

*Degree(s) must have been awarded by a college, university or law school accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by theU.S.If the degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, the candidate must provide independent verification of equivalency*

Additional Requirements:

• Possession of a valid New York State Driver’s License and access to a registered, insured vehicle available for use during working hours, or demonstrated capacity to meet the transportation needs of the position.

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminateon the basis ofany protected class.

How to Apply: Please send your cover letter, writing sample (10 pages or less) and resume to [e-mail] or mail to:

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
Attention: Human Resources
290 Main Street, Suite 400
Buffalo, NY 14202

If you need a reasonable accommodation in submitting the documents outlined above, completing the application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office at [e-mail] or 716-853-9555 x183 or x288.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Following a review of applications,LegalAid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.will only contact those applicants whose backgrounds align with the qualifications outlined above.