Staff Attorney

Disability Advocates Inc. dba Disability Rights Ne; City of Rochester (NY); Remote; USD 62,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

SEP IRA and 403(b) retirement plans

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Disability Rights New York (DRNY) seeks a Staff Attorney for the PAIR program to provide individual and systemic civil rights litigation for people with disabilities. The role requires NY Bar membership and 3–8 years of litigation experience, with capacity to travel across New York and beyond as needed.

The Staff Attorney will handle investigations, reporting, and monitoring of service providers, while collaborating with professionals and DRNY teams to advance disability justice.

Qualifications

• Be a member in good standing of the New York State Bar or eligible to waive in from another jurisdiction, and maintain such standing throughout employment with DRNY;
• Must have 3-8 years of litigation experience;
• Demonstrated interest and commitment to public interest law;
• Ability to work efficiently, independently, and collaboratively as part of a team;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Relationship-building skills;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Strong problem-solving skills;
• Outstanding professionalism and ethical judgment;
• Multilingual skills preferred;
• Ability to work with diverse groups of individuals;
• Must be a New York State resident; and
• Work and reside in New York State consistent with DRNY's policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal services and engage in individual and systemic representation and litigation.
• Report to the PAIR program initially and different programs thereafter as needed.
• Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect and draft investigative reports;
• Monitor service providers for abuse, neglect, and compliance with federal and state laws and draft monitoring reports;
• Analyze cases to determine systemic issues and formulate strategies for prevention, reduction, or elimination;
• Act in accordance with identified Priorities and Goals of the Program;
• Consult with professionals to identify options and barriers for individuals;
• Lead and support DRNY projects, project teams, and initiatives that foster self-determination and coalition building;
• Lead and participate in committees and conduct training and outreach activities;
• Maintain accurate, confidential files;
• Assist in preparing reports to funding sources;
• Maintain time records and client records, including database use;
• Open and close case files in a timely manner;
• May provide multilingual client support;
• Travel throughout New York State and outside as necessary;
• Perform related tasks as required.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Relationship-building skills

Strong organizational skills

Strong problem-solving skills

Multilingual skills preferred

Job description

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

About the Organization

DRNY, the Protection and Advocacy System and the Client Assistance Program for New York State, is seeking a passionate individual to achieve disability justice and protect civil rights. We dismantle the structural oppression of people with disabilities through individual advocacy, systemic litigation, public investigations, and collaboration with stakeholders. Come join a civil rights leader committed to addressing these barriers and driving meaningful change in everything we do.

Description

The Staff Attorney will provide legal services and engage in individual and systemic representation and litigation. The Staff Attorney is expected to report to the PAIR program initially and different programs thereafter as needed.

The Staff Attorney performs a wide range of duties, including the following:

• Provide legal, administrative, and other appropriate means of representation, including individual and systemic representation, to people with disabilities to ensure the protection of the rights of individuals with disabilities;
• Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect and draft investigative reports;
• Monitor service providers for abuse, neglect, and compliance with federal and state laws and draft monitoring reports;
• Analyze new and existing cases as well as other matters to determine if they present systemic issues which may be appropriate for DRNY to address, and, with the Program Director, formulate strategies for their prevention, reduction, or elimination;
• Act in accordance with identified Priorities and Goals of the Program;
• Consult with professionals such as attorneys, physicians, psychologists, therapists, educators, and others to identify options and barriers for individuals and groups;
• Lead and support DRNY projects, project teams, and initiatives that foster self-determination and self-advocacy, and coalition building;
• Lead and participate in committees, task forces, and other organization-wide groupsas assigned, as well as conduct training and outreach activities;
• Maintain accurate, confidential files;
• Assist in preparing reports to funding sources;
• Maintain accurate time records and client records, including accurate use of the client tracking database for DRNY to meet its programmatic and fiscal responsibilities, and to obtain prevailing party attorney fees when appropriate;
• Timely open and close case files regarding client matters;
• May be asked to provide multilingual client support;
• Travel throughout New York State and outside of New York State as necessary to perform assigned job tasks; and
• Perform related tasks consistent with skills, abilities, and general responsibilities as required to support DRNY; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Be a member in good standing of the New York State Bar or eligible to waive in from another jurisdiction, and maintain such standing throughout employment with DRNY;
• Must have 3-8 years of litigation experience;
• Demonstrated interest and commitment to public interest law;
• Ability to work efficiently, independently, and collaboratively as part of a team;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Relationship-building skills;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Strong problem-solving skills;
• Outstanding professionalism and ethical judgment;
• Multilingual skills preferred;
• Ability to work with diverse groups of individuals;
• Must be a New York State resident; and
• Work and reside in New York State consistent with DRNY's policies.

Preferred Experience

• Public interest, civil rights, or disability law experience;
• Litigation and administrative hearing experience;
• Experience working with diverse populations;
• NYS Driver's license preferred.

Working Conditions

A Staff Attorney usually performs work remotely or in an office environment. The mission of the organization may sometimes take a Staff Attorney to non-standard workplaces. A Staff Attorney will be expected to travel within and outside the state as necessary.

The annualized salary range for the Staff Attorney position is between $62,000 and $115,000.

DRNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees. This includes employer-paid premiums for health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. Full-time employees also receive generous paid time off benefits and are eligible for our SEP IRA and 403 (b) retirement plans.

To view more about our organization, check out our YouTube videos highlighting DRNY's mission in advocating for the civil rights of individuals with disabilities. Please visit our DRNY YouTube Channel and review our DRNY Press Releases .

Position Requirements

Exempt/Non-Exempt Exempt

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Location Disability Rights New York - Rochester

Position Staff Attorney- PAIR 2026

Number of Openings 1

This position is currently accepting applications.