Join NLS Today!

Rural communities in the U.S. and its territories face a shortage of lawyers, with a large population of the country being forced to travel hundreds of miles to find legal assistance. Participate in Rural Summer Legal Corps (RSLC) and help address the access-to justice-crisis for people living in rural areas. 

Applicants will be asked to provide a résumé and personal statement describing their interest in the program.  Once applications close, interviews with host organizations are conducted on a rolling basis in early spring. Applicants are notified of their acceptance about a month after the application closes.

For more information, click below to register for one of our webinars: 

• Equal Justice Works Student Fellowships: 2026 Applications Overview on Wednesday, January 14 at 3:00 PM EST

• Equal Justice Works Student Fellowships: 2026 Application Tips Wednesday, February 4 at 3:00 PM EST

All RSLC Student Fellows attend a virtual two-day training  before their service begins. This includes a series of workshops and panels, networking opportunities, and the chance to connect with and ask questions of the Legal Services Corporation and Equal Justice Works staff.

Requirements:

NLS holds our student volunteers to the same standards as our staff members. We require students to treat their internship, externship, or volunteer opportunity as a professional commitment. This includes punctuality, professional attire, and reliability. Students are expected to maintain a professional demeanor when interacting with staff, clients, and court personnel.

Essential Functions:

• Assist Staff Attorneys with the preparation of legal documents for trials, hearings, and depositions;
• Attend trials, hearings, depositions, and related events;
• Provide critical research and feedback to the attorneys for any case, study, or assigned tasks;
• Proofread and provide content suggestions for legal documentation;
• Provide general legal support to the program attorneys, plus other duties and special projects as assigned;
• 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.

Student Practice Orders:

NLS typically applies for student practice orders for law students who have completed a minimum of two (2) semesters of law school and are volunteering for a semester or during the summer. The student practice order enables students to appear in court under the supervision of an NLS attorney, providing them with valuable courtroom experience and the opportunity to advocate on behalf of our clients.

Qualifications:

Fellowship Qualifications:

Join our team and help us make a positive impact on the lives of those in need while building your legal career. Apply today to be part of our dedicated and passionate team at Neighborhood Legal Services.

Neighborhood Legal Services is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background and experiences.

This is a 9-week program beginning on Monday, June 1, 2026, and concluding on Friday, July 31, 2026. 

Neighborhood Legal Services is currently accepting applications for Legal Internships. This 9-week program serves clients in Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Wyoming, and Orleans counties. As a free civil legal services firm, we specialize in a wide range of legal areas, including domestic violence prevention, divorce, eviction prevention, health insurance access, disability, SNAP, shelter, and other government benefits. This internship provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in public interest law while making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Requirements:
NLS holds our student volunteers to the same standards as our staff members. We require students to treat their internship, externship, or volunteer opportunity as a professional commitment. This includes punctuality, professional attire, and reliability. Students are expected to maintain a professional demeanor when interacting with staff, clients, and court personnel.

Essential Functions:
The Legal Intern performs a wide range of duties, including the following:

• Assist Staff Attorneys with the preparation of legal documents for trials, hearings, and depositions;
• Attend trials, hearings, depositions, and related events;
• Provide critical research and feedback to the attorneys for any case, study, or assigned tasks;
• Proofread and provide content suggestions for legal documentation;
• Provide general legal support to the program attorneys, plus other duties and special projects as assigned;
• 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.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited law school;
• Commitment to the mission and vision of NLS;
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word/Excel/Outlook/PowerPoint);
• Ability to write and present in a polished and professional manner;
• Strong communication skills;
• Must have the highest standard of organization and attention to detail;
• Passionate about issues affecting individuals with disabilities (preferred);
• Excellent legal research skills;
• Able to work independently;
• Ability to prioritize and manage projects and tasks to meet deadlines;

Student Practice Orders:
NLS typically applies for student practice orders for law students who have completed a minimum of two (2) semesters of law school and are volunteering for a semester or during the summer. The student practice order enables students to appear in court under the supervision of an NLS attorney, providing them with valuable courtroom experience and the opportunity to advocate on behalf of our clients.

Salary & Hours:

The pay for this position is $20 /Hr. The work week is 35 hours a week.

Join our team and help us make a positive impact on the lives of those in need while building your legal career. Apply today to be part of our dedicated and passionate team at Neighborhood Legal Services.

Neighborhood Legal Services is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background and experiences.

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]