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, eviction prevention, family/divorce, public benefits, disability advocacy, student loans, and health insurance.

The NLS Batavia office has a rich history serving the community. The staff attorney will positively impact clients by maintaining a caseload related to housing law, public benefits, family law, disability law, and consumer issues.  Training will be provided – whether you just passed the bar with admission pending or 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, record-keeping, and fostering pro bono involvement with the private bar;
• 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

Qualifications:

• 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

Salary:

The salary range for this position is $67,222.10 – $118,250.00 depending on experience, with generous benefits and paid time off

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.

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Staff Paralegal will support housing unit attorneys with their casework by maintaining client contact and assist with drafting documents. The paralegal will assist with case development and provide support for the administrative and operational needs of the unit.

Essential Functions:

Core Competencies:

Qualifications:

Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. (NLS), the largest provider of civil legal services in Western New York, is seeking a dynamic Administrative Assistant for its Family Law Unit in its Buffalo office.

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Administrative Assistant will be responsible for general secretarial support including answering the telephone and assisting receptionist when needed, typing, filing, copying, assisting attorneys and paralegals, and coordinating unit-wide projects.

Essential Functions:

1. Types a variety of legal materials, including court filings, petitions, pleadings, motions, memoranda, letters, and reports.
2. Types and reviews outgoing correspondence to ensure all legal documents and enclosures are in proper processing order and that correspondence is grammatically correct.
3. Sorts and distributes mail.
4. Assist Attorneys and Paralegals as directed with answering inquiries over the phone or in person and managing secretarial and administrative details.
5. Organizes and maintains files and records of a confidential, complex, or otherwise sensitive nature.

6. Provide backup for reception staff answering telephones and greeting clients.
7. Manage own professional development; keep informed of new rules, regulations, and legislation pertinent to the organization; participate in continuing legal education and other appropriate training; develop specialty knowledge or areas consistent with the level of experience.
8. Organize trainings for the unit.
9. Teamwork. Work constructively as a team member with other NLS staff on advocacy projects consistent with program priorities.
10. Performs diversified clerical work as directed by the Office Manager or Attorney staff.
11. Other responsibilities. Conform to the rules and responsibilities applicable to all employees and perform all other assigned tasks.

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;
• 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.

Qualifications:

• Legal services background or knowledge of general civil legal work
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and knowledge of community resources
• Self-motivated and dependable
• Excellent communication skills for client intake, client follow-up, and attorney interface
• Excellent writing skills with attention to detail and proofreading for correspondence with clients and other law offices
• Understanding of the court filing system and its requirements
• Excellent organizational skills and calendaring awareness
• Document-drafting capability under the supervision of staff attorneys for court filings
• Willingness to work as a team member and contribute to the efforts on any case
• Second language skills a plus but not required

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

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

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Staff Paralegal will support family unit attorneys with their casework by maintaining client contact and assist with drafting documents. The paralegal will assist with case development and provide support for the administrative and operational needs of the unit.

Essential Functions:

• Manage caseload and assigned tasks, including providing clients with information under attorney
• Screen clients and complete intake questionnaires when required by office
• Correspond with case managers from area social service, housing, and medical and mental health service providers to develop evidence and assist clients obtain stability.
• Assist attorneys with file preparation and organization for
• Assist in the review, organization, and management of legal
• Enter case information into NLS’ case management system,
• Maintain accurate and complete records and files regarding cases and projects
• Provide direct support and assistance to Family Unit
• Maintain accurate and complete records and files regarding assigned
• Participate in community outreach, education, and training
• Drafting pleadings and correspondence to court, clients, and
• Assist attorneys with court

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 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 diverse communities is a

Qualifications

• College degree;
• Legal services background, or knowledge of general civil legal work;
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and knowledge of community resources; and
• Self-motivated and dependable;
• Excellent communication skills for client intake, client follow-up and attorney interface
• Excellent writing skills with attention to detail and proofreading for correspondence with clients and other law offices

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]