Staff Attorney – Estates – Req.# 2026-5

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan with company 6–

Parking

Transit plan

Flexible spending account

Job summary

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. is seeking a Staff Attorney – Estates to focus on Surrogates’ Court matters and related estate issues within our Civil Legal Services Unit in Western New York.

This on-site position involves filing petitions, drafting wills and deeds, and providing comprehensive estate planning services to clients. The role emphasizes client advocacy, collaboration with unit attorneys, and participation in both court and community outreach.

Responsibilities

• Attend virtual and in-person court sessions.
• Interview clients across settings including offices, court, clinics, homes, or remotely.
• Counsel and inform clients on legal and life issues with a trauma-informed approach.
• Provide effective representation in proceedings from pre-trial to trial.
• Draft petitions, pleadings, and related documents; file and manage case records.
• Collaborate with Unit attorneys and supervising attorneys as needed.
• Attend community meetings and outreach events to inform and assist clients.

Skills

Estate planning knowledge

Legal research

Client counseling

Court appearances

Job description

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.

Civil Legal Services Unit Staff Attorney

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Staff Attorney – Estates – Req.# 2026-5 in our Civil Legal Services Unit to contribute to our impact on Western New York communities. This Attorneys’ Union position will primarily focus on representing clients in Surrogates’ Court and related estate issues, including filing petitions, drafting wills, powers of attorney, property deeds, 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 important estate planning services.

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, 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, and immigration. Please visit our website to learn more.

Why Join Us?

Mission-Drive Culture:

• Competitive Pay: Salary ranging from $83,959 to $103,212 commensurate with relevant


• Supportive work


• Opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration with


• Enjoy a full-time, 40-hour work week and build flexibility into your schedule within the parameters of our collective bargaining agreement.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

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


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


• Paid parenthood leave


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


• Life


• Voluntary supplemental insurance offering, which include short-term disability, long-term disability, term life insurance plus more.


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

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


• 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


• 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


• Research, interpret and apply the law in individual Remain current regarding civil laws and regulations and case law.


• Respond promptly and professionally to telephone calls, emails and other


• 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 estate planning 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 the U.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 discriminate on the basis of any protected class.

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, Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. will only contact those applicants whose backgrounds align with the qualifications outlined above.