POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Olean office of LawNY® seeks to fill an immediate opening for a full time or part time Staff Attorney in its Family Law Unit. The attorney will represent qualified, low and middle income individuals in custody, family offense, neglect, and child support cases. The attorney position will also provide victims of domestic violence and sexual assault with specialized legal advice and representation in Family Court and other civil matters that affect their safety, stability and financial security. The candidate must have the caring, patience, and emotional maturity to help low-income people overcome crisis situations.
Staff Attorneys at LawNY® provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients and the ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of how civil legal issues affecting low-income communities intersect with social and economic justice. Staff Attorneys play a critical role in realizing LawNY®’s vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Every Staff Attorney is expected to actively engage in learning and becoming increasingly skilled in practice that supports this vision.
QUALIFICATIONS These are the basic requirements for the position.
Admitted to practice and in good standing in New York State, eligible for admission without examination, or willing to take the next available Bar examination.
Demonstrated commitment of service to low-income people.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
RESPONSIBILITIES These are the most significant responsibilities and primary functions of the position.
Maintain a full-time caseload representing eligible clients in Family Court.
Develop and maintain specialized knowledge in Family Court matters, particularly: family offense, custody and visitation, child support violations, abuse and neglect proceedings.
Provides legal services to low income clients and client groups regarding Family Law including advice, negotiation, litigation and administrative advocacy.
Interacts respectfully with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, with an awareness of the importance of cultural competence and humility.
Collaborates with other LawNY® advocates, human services providers, non-profit organizations and community groups as well as the courts, administrative tribunals and the private bar to address legal problems within our community, including providing community legal education.
Contributes to a safe and healthy work environment for fellow employees.
Cooperates in all grant reporting requirements, program reporting, timekeeping, file maintenance, case closing and compliance review.
Maintains a high level of professional competence through attendance of training sessions, seminars and conferences and individual efforts to keep abreast of current developments in the area of poverty law and the application of an equity lens to client service.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and three professional references through LawNY®’s BambooHR platform, found here and at www.lawny.org/Employment. When outlining work experience on a resume, candidates are requested to label each position as full-time or part-time and describe unpaid volunteer/internships as such.
To promote social justice and achieve our mission, LawNY® is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace. In your cover letter, please also include an explanation of how you think that your lived and/or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to support a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion at LawNY®.
Questions or Accommodations? Contact Michelle Grillone at [email protected]
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