Join NLS Today!

Neighborhood Legal Services is a not-for-profit public interest law firm providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals. Its mission is to seek equitable justice by providing access to legal advice, representation, and education to those in our community who, due to financial vulnerability, disability, discrimination, or abuse, require protection and advancement of their civil legal rights.  It is the largest non-profit provider of civil legal services in Western New York.  Neighborhood Legal Services provides counsel for housing, prevention, family/divorce, public benefits, disability advocacy, student loans, and health insurance. This position is in our Niagara Falls office.

The staff attorney will positively impact clients by maintaining a caseload of public benefits matters. The attorney will assist clients in obtaining or maintaining benefits including Temporary (cash) Assistance, SNAP, assistance with emergencies including homelessness, and overpayments from the Niagara County Department of Social Services.  Case work includes reviewing notices and other documents, advising clients about their benefits, negotiating with NCDSS, representing clients at Administrative Fair Hearings, and litigation. The Attorney will learn the substantive law, develop advocacy skills, and learn to identify and work on systemic issues. Training will be provided – whether you just passed the bar with admission pending or you are an experienced attorney.

Essential Responsibilities/ Functions:

• Handle all aspects of legal representation including client contact, pleading preparation, research, file maintenance, hearing and trial work, and work with support staff;
• Fulfill all grant and contract requirements through casework, time-keeping, and record-keeping;
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the areas of law that impact our clients;
• Identify other legal needs of clients to ensure that NLS can provide holistic representation and referrals;
• Collaborate and coordinate with other NLS staff and community partners to ensure effective referrals and holistic service delivery;
• Identify systemic problems that affect our clients’ rights;
• Conduct community outreach, education and training;
• Demonstrate cultural competency to work with clients of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and limited English proficiency;
• Maintain a current knowledge of developments in civil procedure and civil litigation law; and
• Develop an understanding of the social and economic forces that create poverty and inequality in our community.

Qualifications

• J.D. and NYS Bar Admission (considered if applicant has passed the bar exam with admission pending – training will be provided)
• Demonstrated commitment and cultural sensitivity to low-income and underserved
• Strong writing skills and verbal communication.
• Strong behavioral competencies.
• Strong attention to detail and follow up skills.
• Previous experience working with low-income and/or underserved communities preferred
• Second language fluency preferred

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Work in an office environment including working at workstation, attending meetings;
• Traveling to meetings and hearings off-site;
• Use of computer and other office machines such as fax, photocopiers and telephones; and
• Ability to work in the evenings and weekends as required to serve clients.

Salary:

The salary range for this position is $71000.00 – $120,913.76 depending on experience, with generous benefits, paid time off and opportunity for student loan forgiveness.

Salary is based on bar admission and years of experience. (Steps 1 through 22) Step 1 of the salary scale correlates to the first year of admission to the bar of any state, and date of commencement of the practice of law in that state. Each progressive step equals an additional year of experience.

Prior credited experience is calculated from the date of admission to the bar and the date of commencement of the practice of law in that state. If the Employee did not begin practicing law within six (6) months of being admitted, the prior experience shall be calculated on the date they began practicing law.

Current salary steps include but are not limited to:
Step 1 – $ 71,000.00
Step 5 – $ 78,156.78
Step 10 – $ 90,338.62
Step 15 – $101,873.70
Step 22 – $120,913.76

NLS is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply. Employer recruits without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, ancestry, sex, gender (including identity or expression), sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or protected veteran status and any such candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

NLS VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM (VAP) offers attorneys a chance to volunteer their time and expertise.  No experience in the particular field is necessary and we will train you in the area you volunteer.

You can volunteer to assist with individual clients on an as-needed basis or with one of our Attorney of the Morning Programs (AMP). NLS staffs AMPs at Buffalo City Court (Tuesday and Thursday mornings) and Niagara Falls City Court (dates vary) to assist low-income tenants facing eviction.

Volunteers must be attorneys licensed to practice law in New York State, and in good standing with the Office of Court Administration (OCA).   Volunteers must immediately notify NLS of any changes in their status. Attorneys who register with NLS and are in good standing with OCA are covered under the NLS malpractice insurance policy for the NLS cases they accept.

In order to participate with NLS, you agree to:

• Represent clients referred by NLS and in accordance with the New York State Rules of Professional Conduct;
• Respond to periodic requests for updates by NLS;
• Complete all required NLS forms;
• Notify NLS upon completion of a matter, including the amount of time spent and the tasks completed;
• Notify NLS of any changes to the attorney’s contact information or areas of interest.

If interested, please contact [email protected]

NLS accepts student volunteers throughout the year in our various offices and areas of practice.  Undergraduate students and law students are encouraged to apply.  NLS also participates in externship programs and pro bono scholarship programs (such as the Buffalo Public Interest Law Program at UB Law School).

REQUIREMENTS  NLS requires students to treat their internship/externship/volunteer opportunity like a job.  Students must be punctual, professionally dressed and reliable.  Students must act in a professional manner with staff, clients and court personnel.

STUDENT PRACTICE ORDERS  NLS generally applies for student practice orders for law students who have completed at least two (2) semesters of law school and are volunteering for a semester or the summer.  The student practice order allows the students to appear in court under the supervision of an NLS attorney.

50 HOUR PRO BONO REQUIREMENT  NLS accepts law student volunteers who wish to complete their fifty (50) hour pro bono requirement to be admitted in New York State.

If interested, please email [email protected]