Staff Attorney – Veterans Focus (LSV-H Grant Program)

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) seeks a Staff Attorney for the LSV-H Grant Program in Albany, NY to provide civil legal services to veterans who are homeless or at risk.

You will handle housing eviction defense, consumer protections, family law matters, and VA benefits advocacy, collaborating with VA medical centers, VSOs, and community partners to address root causes of housing instability.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school is required.
• NYS Bar admission or eligibility is required.
• 2–3 years of civil litigation, veterans law, or public benefits experience preferred.
• Strong advocacy, research, and case management skills are essential.
• Willingness to travel regionally and work some evenings/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Represent veterans in housing matters (eviction defense, landlord disputes).
• Advocate in consumer protection (debt collection, predatory lending, bankruptcy).
• Handle family law matters (custody, support, divorce).
• Pursue military justice solutions (discharge upgrades, record corrections).
• Assist with VA benefits and public benefits (disability, healthcare, Social Security, SNAP).
• Collaborate with VA centers, VSOs, and community partners; ensure grant compliance.

Skills

Advocacy

Legal Research

Case Management

Travel Flexibility

Policy Knowledge

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Staff Attorney - Veterans Focus (LSV-H Grant Program)

Location: Albany, NY | Full-Time | Department of Veterans Affairs Funded

Serve Those Who Served. Champion Justice for Veterans.

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) is seeking a dedicated Staff Attorney to join our LSV-H program, providing life-changing legal advocacy to veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This role focuses on helping veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness overcome legal barriers that prevent them from obtaining or maintaining stable housing.

WHO WE ARE

LASNNY stands as a guardian of justice across sixteen counties in upstate New York, fighting tirelessly for fairness, dignity, and equity for vulnerable populations. Through our six regional offices, we transform communities by addressing systemic inequities and individual legal challenges. Our LSV-H grant program represents our specialized commitment to veterans, a federally-funded initiative designed specifically to combat veteran homelessness through comprehensive civil legal services that address the root causes of housing instability. We are particularly committed to addressing the specific needs of women veterans, who represent the fastest-growing segment of the homeless veteran population and often face unique challenges including higher rates of trauma, family separation, and barriers to accessing veteran-specific services.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent veterans in housing (eviction defense, landlord disputes, disability accommodations)
• Advocate in consumer protection (debt collection, predatory lending, bankruptcy)
• Handle family law matters (custody, support, divorce)
• Pursue military justice solutions (discharge upgrades, record corrections)
• Assist with VA benefits and public benefits (disability, healthcare, GI Bill, Social Security, SNAP)
• Support veterans facing domestic or intimate partner violence

Additional duties include collaborating with VA medical centers, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), community partners, and interdisciplinary teams, maintaining federal grant compliance, and participating in community outreach and legal education initiatives.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school; NYS Bar admission (or eligibility)
• 2-3 years of legal experience (civil litigation, veterans law, or public benefits preferred)
• Strong advocacy, research, and case management skills
• Commitment to serving veterans and understanding military culture
• Willingness to travel regionally and work occasional evenings/weekends

Preferred: Veterans, bilingual (Spanish), housing or benefits law experience, VA systems knowledge, trauma-informed legal services experience.

Why This Role Matters

Veterans are 40% more likely to experience homelessness than other adults, with women veterans facing unique challenges. Legal barriers often trap them in cycles of instability. In this role, you will:

• Remove barriers to housing and benefits
• Reunite families and restore dignity
• Support women veterans with specialized advocacy

LASNNY is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans and candidates of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including veterans, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others who would contribute to our organizational diversity.

Need accommodation during the application process? Contact LASNNY-we ensure all qualified individuals, including veterans with disabilities, can fully participate in our hiring process and contribute to this vital federal veterans advocacy mission.

This position is funded through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Legal Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness (LSV-H) Grant Program. Continued funding is anticipated but not guaranteed.