Staff Attorney - Appeals and Post Conviction Unit (Entry Level)

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 71,365 - 96,453; Full time

Job summary

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. in Buffalo, NY is seeking a Staff Attorney for the Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit to handle appellate work for indigent defendants across Western New York, primarily on-site at 290 Main St.

The role covers all aspects of criminal appeals, possible post-conviction work, and limited federal writs; strong research, writing, and advocacy are essential for meaningful representation.

Qualifications

• Law school graduates or 3Ls eligible to take the next bar exam or active NY State Bar membership.
• Experience as an appellate attorney preferred.
• Combination of training, education, and experience providing required knowledge and abilities.
• Computer proficiency, including word processing and computerized legal research.

Responsibilities

• Read transcripts and prepare summaries for drafting appeals.
• Identify legal issues from transcripts and client questionnaires.
• Draft necessary briefs for criminal and Family Court appeals; respond for People's appeals as needed.
• File stay applications and post-conviction motions as required.
• Communicate with clients and trial attorneys; visit incarcerated clients when needed.

Skills

Legal research

Word processing

Education

J.D. or bar-eligibility in NY

Tools

Word processing software

Legal research tools

Job description

Staff Attorney – Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit

Organization: Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.

Location: Buffalo, NY

Salary: $83,959

Job Type: Full-time

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Staff Attorney in our Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit to contribute to our impact on Western New York communities. This Attorneys' Union position primarily focuses on performing a variety of appellate activities in criminal appeals on behalf of indigent appellants, as assigned by the courts, convicted in various counties in Western New York.

Staff attorneys are initially primarily responsible for handling every aspect of the appeals that are assigned to them, upon receipt of the file through the outcome of the case in the appellate court, and, as necessary, the outcome of any leave application filed with the Court of Appeals (the state's highest court). Staff Attorneys handle the appeal in the Court of Appeals in the event that an application for leave is granted. They also investigate cases for potential post-conviction issues, and file such motions as are appropriate. In limited circumstances, the attorney may be called upon to file petitions for a writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court or file amicus briefs in state and federal courts.

This 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, children and families in the Western New York community for over 100 years. Using a 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, employment, and immigration.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary of $83,959


• Supportive, mission-driven work environment with opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration with colleagues


• Full-time, 40-hour work week, inclusive of a daily paid 1-hour meal break, with schedule flexibility within the parameters of our collective bargaining agreement

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents


• Extensive paid time off programs – holiday, vacation, personal, sick time, and more


• Paid parenthood leave plan


• 401(k) retirement plan with contributions made by the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. between 6 and 8% when eligible


• Life insurance


• Voluntary supplemental insurance offerings, including short-term disability, long-term disability, term life insurance, and more


• Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, flexible spending account, and more


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

Key Responsibilities:

• Read transcripts of case and prepare transcript summaries for use in drafting appeals


• Discern legal issues from transcripts and/or client questionnaires


• Research possible legal issues; choose appropriate issues for brief and discard non-meritorious issues, keeping in mind the obligation to provide \"meaningful representation\" as defined by the Court of Appeals


• Draft necessary briefs, including appellant's principal and reply briefs in criminal and Family Court appeals; where the Bureau represents the defendant on a People's appeal, draft the responding brief


• File stay applications, post-conviction, or other motions as needed depending on the needs of each individual client


• Correspond with clients; where the client is incarcerated, visit client at correctional facility or discuss case via confidential phone call


• Communicate with trial attorney as necessary


• Prepare stipulation to the record on appeal or certification for the record on appeal; assemble the record on appeal


• Gather physical documents for appendix and submit to Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit paralegals for numbering, copying, and formatting


• Meet regularly with the Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit Chief Attorney to discuss status of cases


• Keep abreast of recent developments in criminal law


• Participate in moot court sessions and argue cases in court as assigned


• Perform other duties as assigned by the Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit Chief Attorney

Employment Standards:

• Law school graduates or third-year law students (3Ls) who can demonstrate they are registered to take the next upcoming bar exam; or active membership in the State Bar of New York


• Experience as an appellate attorney preferred


• A combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to the above that provides the required knowledge and abilities


• Computer proficiency, including word processing skills and computerized legal research

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 discriminate on the basis of any protected class.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.