POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT (March 2019)
LEGAL SERVICES ATTORNEY POSITION (ROCHESTER, NY)
The Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY)
Rochester Office has an immediate opening for a Staff Attorney at its office
located in downtown Rochester. LawNY' is funded in part by the
Legal Services Corporation and provides free legal services to low-income
families and individuals. The Rochester
Office's primary practice areas are civil rights, housing, public benefits, health
law, employment, and elder law. Our 40 member staff includes attorneys,
paralegals, and a legal support team who work closely across areas of
specialization to bring a holistic approach to addressing law related issues
affecting our clients and community.
The attorney will be assigned to the Rochester Office's
Eviction Prevention Team. The Eviction Prevention Team focuses on helping
low-income people maintain their housing, housing subsidies and income supports
such as public benefits, medical coverage, child care, and emergency assistance.
The position requires frequent interaction and relationship building with
grassroots groups, community organizations, and social agencies. The attorney will utilize administrative
hearing forums and the court system to challenge evictions, wrongful public
benefit determinations and illegal practices. Working with other LawNY
staff members and the community, the attorney will develop strategies,
including affirmative litigation, to address systemic problems that adversely
impact low-income people. The attorney must have the caring, patience,
and emotional maturity to help low-income people overcome crisis situations.
Program:
LawNY is a not-for-profit law firm which provides civil legal
services to low income clients in a fourteen-county region in western New York
State. LawNY staff work in a cooperative environment and all staff
members are expected to assist other staff members to achieve the general
purposes of our program.
Requirements:
Applicants must have at least 3 years or more of relevant experience and be
licensed to practice law in New York State. Applicants must have
excellent legal advocacy and writing skills, and must be able to communicate
effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Most
importantly, applicants must demonstrate strong commitment to helping
low-income and disadvantaged people overcome barriers to housing, and medical
and income supports. Preference will be given to candidates who are
bilingual in Spanish and English.
Law
school graduates who have taken the first available New York State Bar
examination following completion of law school may qualify for a practice order
pending admission to the New York State bar pursuant to the LawNY practice
order. Attorneys admitted in another
jurisdiction may qualify for a practice order for up to 18 months pursuant to a
court rule.
Salary/Fringe Benefits:
Salary is dependent upon experience. The candidate will be placed on the LawNY
salary scale based upon their level of relevant experience. The salary for admitted
attorneys with three years of experience is $50,100 per year. Fringe
benefits include health, dental, life insurance, short and long-term disability
and generous leave time. The position is available immediately and will remain
open until filled.
Procedure: Applicants should
submit a cover letter describing qualifications, resume, and the name and
contact information of (3) references by April 5, 2019 to ensure full
consideration. Applications will be accepted beyond that date until the
position is filled. Applications should be addressed to the attention of Lori
O'Brien, Deputy Director, and sent by e-mail to lawnyapplications@lawny.org.
Candidates can also apply via Indeed.com.
Legal
Assistance of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY) is an
equal opportunity employer. LawNY encourages applications from
diverse candidates. LawNY welcomes applications regardless of race,
color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national
origin, age, disability, genetic information or any other consideration
protected by law. |