Staff Attorney - Housing

Position DescriptionPOSITION DESCRIPTIONThe Elmira office of LawNY® seeks to fill an immediate opening for a full time Staff Attorney in its Housing Unit. The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal representation, primarily in eviction defense cases. The candidate must have the caring, patience, and emotional maturity to help people with low-income 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 communities with low-income intersect with social and economic justice.Compensation PackageThe beginning salary for a Staff Attorney at LawNY with no experience is $75,000 and the salary for a Staff Attorney with thirty years of experience is $111,100. Salary will be based on experience. LawNY is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program(PSLF).LawNY® Provides An Excellent Package Of Fringe Benefits Including94% Employer paid Medical Premium with 100% Employer paid in-network deductible100% Employer paid Dental Insurance100% Employer paid Life Insurance100% Employer paid Enhanced Short-term Disability100% Employer paid Long-term DisabilityVision Insurance20 Paid Vacation days per year12 Sick days per year5 Personal days per year13.5 Holidays plus 2 floating Holidays per year35-Hour Work WeekResponsibilitiesThese are the most significant responsibilities and primary functions of the position.Maintain a full-time caseload representing eligible clients served by our Eviction Prevention Unit.Develop and maintain specialized knowledge in housing matters, particularly: landlord-tenant, subsidized housing, and government benefits.Provide legal services to low income clients and client groups regarding these matters including advice, negotiation, litigation and administrative advocacy.Interact respectfully with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, with an awareness of the importance of cultural competence and humility.Collaborate 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.Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment for fellow employees.Cooperate in all grant reporting requirements, program reporting, timekeeping, file maintenance, case closing and compliance review.Maintain 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.ADDITIONAL TRAITS AND SKILLS These are the traits, attributes, attitudes, and skills that speak to the candidate’s ability to succeed in the position. While no one candidate will possess all of the qualities listed, the ideal candidate will have many of these qualities.Litigation and advocacy experience in state and/or federal court and/or administrative forums within at least one related area of poverty law, especially landlord-tenant, foreclosure, bankruptcy, homelessness prevention, fair housing, and/or government benefits.Experience working with individuals and communities facing barriers to accessing resources, opportunities, services or justice.Applies understanding of bias and systemic inequities related to socio-economic status, race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, genetic information, national origin, familial status, and language, to improve client access, engagement and outcomes.Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including a commitment to trauma-informed and culturally responsive services.True fluency in a language other than English that is spoken by our clients.ORGANIZATION INFORMATIONLegal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY®) is a not-for-profit law firm that provides free civil legal services to clients with low-income in a 14 county area of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier. LawNY® has seven fully staffed field offices in Bath, Elmira, Geneva, Ithaca, Jamestown, Olean and Rochester, satellite offices in Lakeville and Lyons, and a business office in Rochester.LawNY® has been providing high quality legal representation for 54 years, and today has over 180 employees, including attorneys, paralegals, and a legal support team who work closely across areas of specialization to bring a holistic approach to addressing legal issues affecting our clients and community.