Economic Justice Staff Attorney (2 positions)
The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, a nonprofit civil legal services program, is seeking experienced attorneys to staff our Economic Justice Project, in the Albany office of the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York. The positions are dedicated to ensuring that low-income residents of our capital region community have sufficient income to maintain their housing and the essentials of life and that those in need are served by systems that are just, fair, and responsive. Through the legal work of the staff attorneys, households will access and secure financial supports necessary to meet basic human needs (public assistance, including emergency assistance and temporary housing assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, childcare assistance, unemployment insurance benefits, SSI). Through working with the individuals and families served by this project, the attorney also will identify and secure changes needed in the delivery of income supports and related human services so that the systems serving low-income residents of the capital region respond as the law requires and in a manner that supports and develops human potential. The attorneys will also participate in place-based advocacy in low-income neighborhoods in cities in the Capital Region.
Our mission is to fight for fairness, dignity, and justice for those living in poverty and for a society which is inclusive and equitable for all. We transform lives, build community, and empower people by using the law to address individual and systemic wrongs and inequities. We are committed to ensuring equitable treatment, services, and outcomes for people of color.
We are skilled, creative, and compassionate advocates, combining a passion to serve with the skills and will to address both individual and systemic injustice. We take pride in providing holistic services to our clients with a wide range of programs and substantive law expertise. We seek attorneys who will be dedicated to our mission and will provide excellent legal services to support community members in securing necessary income and services supports, particularly in targeted communities.
The office for this position is in Albany, New York, the state capital. The counties served by this office are offer a lively, family friendly place to live with a reasonable cost of living, excellent quality of life, and easy access to major metropolitan areas as well as year-round outdoor opportunities.
Our office is a collegial and supportive workplace, encouraging and supporting staff development, mentoring and collaboration.
Responsibilities: The attorneys will be responsible for developing an expertise in and providing a full range of legal services in matters such as public assistance, including emergency assistance and temporary housing assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, childcare assistance, unemployment insurance benefits, and SSI). They will be expected to implement creative strategies for providing legal services, engaging the people served by the initiative and collaborating with or challenging the service systems that impact the economic lives of low-income community members
The attorneys will assist in the design, coordination, and implementation of place-based advocacy in low-income neighborhoods in the Capital Region to address community identified needs, and to work with other LAS staff to assess and address the legal needs of their clients. The attorneys will do intake and provide a spectrum of legal services to the low-income residents of these neighborhoods. Services will range from legal information to full legal representation and could include legal education workshops, ask a lawyer appointments, the development and distribution of legal information, self-help information and tools, advocate trainings, technical assistance and support to community agency staff and advocates, legal support for groups and organizing efforts, and negotiation and litigation to address and resolve underling systemic problems in each of the communities they seek to serve.
Qualifications: 2 – 7 years’ prior legal experience or equivalent. Admitted to New York State Bar. Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to helping community members address individual, institutional, and systemic problems related to economic security and stability through the provision of high-quality legal services to low-income clients. Must be expert or become expert in a broad range of issues and law, practice expertly in many forums in five counties, and conduct effective community legal education including clinics and know your rights events. Must be able to identify and address systemic legal problems and work collaboratively with other LASNNY staff to ensure delivery of a full range of legal services to clients served by the Albany office. Occasional travel required to co-counsel and/or conduct litigation or other advocacy strategies in other counties of the service area to advance the training and systemic advocacy goals of LASNNY. Must be intelligent, hardworking, careful, reliable, have good judgment, and attention to detail. Must be able to communicate effectively with clients and staff and work independently and efficiently. Good computer skills. Must have a car and a valid driver’s license. Strong preference for lived experience, ability to speak Spanish, training and experience in community lawyering or organizing and demonstrated creativity and experience in using varied legal tools and strategies to secure systemic outcomes on behalf of low-income consumers.
Salary: Up to $73,297 DOE Excellent benefits. We are a unionized program, and our fringe benefits are excellent.
Application Deadline: Until Filled
No applications will be accepted without cover letter, resume, references and writing sample.
To apply, please:
- Complete the Application linked here, or the mobile-friendly application linked here
- Complete the Demographic Survey linked here
LASNNY is committed to the creation of an inclusive and diverse workplace and providing Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action to all applicants. We strongly encourage applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ persons, protected veterans, applicants and recipients of public assistance, the elderly and people with disabilities.
