Staff Attorney

Position DescriptionNeighborhood 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, prevention, family/divorce, public benefits, disability advocacy, student loans, and health insurance. This position is in our Niagara Falls office.The staff attorney will positively impact clients by maintaining a caseload of public benefits matters. The attorney will assist clients in obtaining or maintaining benefits including Temporary (cash) Assistance, SNAP, assistance with emergencies including homelessness, and overpayments from the Niagara County Department of Social Services. Case work includes reviewing notices and other documents, advising clients about their benefits, negotiating with NCDSS, representing clients at Administrative Fair Hearings, and litigation. The Attorney will learn the substantive law, develop advocacy skills, and learn to identify and work on systemic issues. Training will be provided – whether you just passed the bar with admission pending or you 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, and record-keeping; 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 community.SalarySalary 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 ToStep 1 - $ 71,000.00Step 5 - $ 78,156.78Step 10 - $ 90,338.62Step 15 - $101,873.70Step 22 - $120,913.76Full-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.