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Organization Overview: NLS provides free legal services to people with low-income and people with disabilities.

Job Summary:  Answer telephone call inquiries and provide information to the general public, clients, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at NLS.  Greet and direct visitors to the location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.  Must be bi-lingual speaking both Spanish and English.  Spanish-Speaking Receptionists shall assist staff members by interpreting and by translating letters and documents.

Job Responsibilities:

• Answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments.
• Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
• Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
• Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public.
• File and maintain records.
• Receive payment and record receipts for services.
• Perform administrative support tasks, such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten information, or operating calculators or computers to work with pay records, invoices, balance sheets, or other documents.
• Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
• Analyze data to determine answers to questions from customers or members of the public.
• Collect, sort, distribute, or prepare mail, messages, or courier deliveries.
• Provide information about establishment, such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.
• Process and prepare memos, correspondence, travel vouchers, or other documents.
• Keep a current record of staff members’ whereabouts and availability.
• Take orders for merchandise or materials and send them to the proper departments to be filled.
• Interpret phone calls for Spanish-speaking clients.
• Interpret and translate letters and documents from Spanish-speaking clients.
• Data entry
• Scan and fax documents
• Distribute mail
• Supply inventory
• Water plants

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Work in a professional office environment, including operating at a workstation and attending meetings.
• Travel to off-site meetings and hearings as needed.
• Use a computer and standard office equipment, including telephones, photocopiers, and fax machines.

Compensation:

This is a non-exempt position within a salary scale with a range of $41,000–$64,890 annually (or hourly equivalent). Placement within the range is based on relevant years of experience and demonstrated qualifications consistent with Neighborhood Legal Services’ compensation structure.

Current salary steps include but are not limited to:

• Step 1 – $ 41,000.00
• Step 5 – $ 47,238.89
• Step 10 – $ 52,031.48
• Step 15 – $57,858.19
• Step 22 – $64,890.00

Neighborhood Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, ancestry, sex, gender (including gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Applicants with disabilities who require a reasonable accommodation to apply for or participate in the hiring process may submit a request to [email protected].

Organization Overview:

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) is the largest provider of civil legal services in Western New York, with a central office in Buffalo and offices in Batavia, Lockport, and Niagara Falls. NLS helps thousands of clients each year in many different areas. We represent clients who are about to be evicted or need money for food or rent. We represent victims of domestic violence, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and veterans. We represent people with disabilities who cannot work or are trying to return to the work world. We help children with profound physical disabilities who need medical equipment to live day-to-day. We invite you to use your talents and skills to help people and change systems.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Maintains a caseload serving low-income clients relating to Housing law, including evictions, conditions and discrimination. Handles all aspects of legal representation including client contact, pleading preparation, research, file maintenance, working with support staff, and hearing and trial work. Implements grant and contract requirements through casework and fosters pro bono involvement with the private bar.

Essential Responsibilities / Functions:

• Provide a spectrum of legal assistance from advice/counsel by phone to affirmative litigations in a wide range of issues;
• Identify systemic problems that affect our clients’ rights and address these challenges through affirmative advocacy, impact litigation, and policy work;
• Collaborate and coordinate with other NLS staff and community partners to assure effective referrals and holistic service delivery;
• Conduct community outreach, education and training;
• Ensure that all written work product is grammatically correct, carefully edited, well written, and appropriate for its audience;
• Develop relationships and engage in collaborations with a range of public and private community partners, including governmental agencies, courts, and community based organizations, to ensure integrative services and address systemic barriers facing our client community;
• Demonstrate cultural competency to work with low-income clients across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and limited English proficiency;
• Develop a substantive knowledge of all areas of law that impact our clients;
• Maintain a current knowledge of developments in law, civil procedure, and civil litigation law and strategies; and
• Develop a substantive knowledge of the social and economic forces that create poverty and inequality in the United States.

Consistent demonstration of proficient skills, including the following:

• Communicate with clients (including groups of clients), co-workers, community partners, opposing counsel, judges and court staff effectively;
• Analyze applicable legal issues, perform legal research skills, plan case strategy;
• Gather facts, give appropriate advice and referral, draft all necessary documents, negotiate settlements if appropriate;
• Try cases effectively in city, county, state and/or federal court and administrative hearings;
• Address issues in a timely manner;
• Organize and maintain appropriate documentation of activities;
• Show commitment to bringing justice to low-income WNY Use computers as needed, including word processing and email;
• Demonstrate good judgment, ability to handle stress, and initiative on a consistent basis;
• Demonstrate a willingness to work as a team, and an overall positive attitude;
• Engage in progressively more complex litigation and show creativity in advocacy;
• Maintain contacts with community agencies and local client groups;
• Speak to community groups and others and prepare materials for presentation;
• Prioritize and implement NLS policies and procedures appropriately;
• Follow instructions from a supervisor; and Other appropriate functions when necessary.

Core Competencies:

• Strong personal work ethic and ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision;
• Excellent writing, editing, and proof-reading skills, with ability to be detail-oriented;
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic and multi-sector team;
• Curious and self-directed with an ability to anticipate client and healthcare partner needs;
• Cultural humility in working with low-income clients across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and limited English proficiency; and
• Familiarity with the diverse communities is a plus.

Salary and Benefits:

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

Full-time position with a 35-hour work week and reduced summer hours.

NLS offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. This includes health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous PTO policy that includes: 3 weeks of vacation time, 12 paid holidays, plus a week of PTO between Christmas and New Year’s; additionally, employees have access to sick and personal leave. NLS also provides life insurance, a pension plan, HRA and Flexible Spending Accounts, paid memberships, and professional development.

Qualifications:

• J.D. and New York State Bar Membership (may be pending)
• Previous experience working with low-income and/or underserved communities preferred
• Second language fluency preferred
• Legal services background, or knowledge of general civil legal work;

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.

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

Organization Overview:

Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. (NLS) is the largest provider of civil legal services in Western New York with a main office in Buffalo and offices in Batavia, Lockport, and Niagara Falls. NLS advocates for thousands of clients each year in many different legal subject areas. NLS’ staff represent clients who are facing eviction, families who have no money for food or rent, survivors and victims of domestic violence, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities. We invite you to join our team and to use your talents and skills to help people and change systems.

Job Summary:

NLS is seeking an experienced attorney with a passion for innovation, litigation experience, and a commitment to increasing access to legal services for low-income Western New Yorkers to join its dedicated team of managers, staff attorneys, paralegals, and support staff as an Assistant Supervising Attorney of the Housing Unit.

The Assistant Supervising Attorney will be responsible for assisting with the direct supervision of Housing Unit staff. Direct supervision will include substantive supervision of staff caseloads, regular case reviews, and ensuring compliance with office-wide policies and Legal Services Corporation regulations. The responsibilities will also include maintaining a litigation and eviction defense caseload, and the supervision of the representation of individuals facing eviction and related housing issues. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with the Supervising Attorney of the Housing Unit to shape the direction of the Unit, to identify systemic housing-related issues and to develop affirmative impact litigation on behalf of tenants with the goal of removing barriers to safe, fair, and affordable housing. The Assistant Supervising Attorney will also work with the Supervising Attorney to handle administrative and grant responsibilities and to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders in the legal, court, and service communities.

Essential Functions:

• Reporting to the Housing Unit’s Supervising Attorney, the Assistant Supervising Attorney will assist with the management of the day-to-day operations of the unit. The successful applicant will be located primarily in Buffalo but will assist with the supervision of attorneys and staff in the Niagara County offices and will be called upon to consult with attorneys across the organization, including our Batavia office, serving Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.
• Responsible for the regular review of the work performed, development of necessary training and unit litigation strategies.
• Assist with administrative duties, including developing and implementing policies and procedures for the Unit, assuring that these policies and procedures are integrated with and conform to those of the organization.
• Ensure that staff maintain case and client records as required in our computerized case management program.
• Develop and implement a community outreach and education plan to reach NLS’ service area.
• Review applications for service and make eligibility determinations in accordance with grant and funding requirements and assist with work assignments.
• Work closely with members of NLS’ management team, including finance, grants compliance, and HR staff in ensuring compliance with the organization’s fiscal and personnel policies and procedures.
• Develop relationships and engage in collaborations with a range of public and private community partners, including governmental agencies, courts, and community-based organizations, to ensure integrative services and address systemic barriers facing our client community.
• Committed to leading by example, high professional integrity, and maintaining civility in all interactions with staff, legal opponents, and community-at-large, and capable of addressing client and staff concerns in an empathetic and confident manner.

Required Qualifications and Core Competencies:

• Law degree (JD) & active New York license.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a private practice or legal services setting, or the equivalent.
• Prior management experience in a legal setting preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated commitment to develop team members and demonstrated leadership skills.
• Prior litigation experience in state and/or federal venues
• Experience working at a legal services nonprofit preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic and multi‐sector team.
• Excellent writing and editing skills and a demonstrated ability to ensure that all written work product is grammatically correct, carefully edited, well written, and appropriate for its audience.
• Demonstrated cultural competency in working with low‐income clients across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio‐economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and limited English proficiency.
• Commitment to address systemic poverty, race, and justice issues, as well as to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in a diverse workplace.

Salary and Benefits:

Annual compensation – $120,000 – $130,000

NLS offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. This includes robust health, dental, and vision insurance plans, a generous PTO policy that includes: 3 weeks of vacation time, 12 paid holidays, plus PTO between Christmas and New Year’s, plus sick and personal leave. as well as eligibility for public student loan forgiveness. NLS also provides life insurance, a pension plan, professional development, and paid memberships.

Location: Buffalo, NY | Work Week: 35 Hours – in Addition to Reduced Summer Hours (Work-Life Balance Focused)

Why Join Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS)?

At NLS, we believe that your passion for justice shouldn’t come at the cost of your well-being. As the largest non-profit provider of civil legal services in the five counties of Western New York we serve, we offer a supportive environment where you can make a profound impact on the lives of low-income individuals and survivors of domestic violence.

• True Work-Life Balance: A standard 35-hour work week to prevent burnout.
• Professional Growth: Direct mentorship from a team of seasoned family law experts and paid training.
• Student Loan Support: We are a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Holistic Advocacy: Work within a collaborative system that addresses the root causes of our clients’ legal challenges.

The Impact You’ll Make

As a Staff Attorney in our Family Unit, you will be the voice for those navigating the complexities of the legal system during their most vulnerable moments. Your role will involve:

• Litigation & Advocacy: Managing a meaningful caseload of matrimonial and family law matters, including representation in both Supreme Court and Family Court.
• Full-Spectrum Counsel: Providing everything from high-level advice to litigation for divorce, custody, family offense, and support matters.
• Community Leadership: Conducting outreach and education to empower the Buffalo community and dismantling systemic barriers to justice.
• Collaborative Practice: Working alongside other substantive units, community partners and government agencies to ensure our clients receive comprehensive care.

What You Bring to the Team

• Credentials: A J.D. and New York State Bar Membership (we welcome applications from those with Bar Membership pending).
• Perspective: A commitment to cultural competency and a desire to work with diverse, underserved populations.
• Skills: Strong writing and editing abilities, a sharp eye for detail, and a proactive approach to learning domestic relations law.
• Bonus Points: Fluency in a second language or a background in civil legal services.

Salary and Benefits

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

Full-time position with a 35-hour work week and reduced summer hours.

NLS offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. This includes health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous PTO policy that includes: 3 weeks of vacation time, 12 paid holidays, plus a week of PTO between Christmas and New Year’s, reduced summer hours; additionally, employees have access to sick and personal leave, as well as eligibility for public student loan forgiveness. NLS also provides life insurance, a pension plan, HRA and Flexible Spending Accounts, paid memberships, and professional development.

How to Apply

Follow the link below to apply through ADP Workforce Now. You can also email resumes and cover letters to [email protected] No phone calls please.

Neighborhood Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer. We prioritize self-care and wellness to ensure our team thrives while serving our community.

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]