Staff Attorney (General Practice - Ithaca, NY)

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Job location
902 Taber Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT (February 2018)
STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION

The Ithaca office of Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.® (LawNY®) has an immediate opening for a Staff Attorney. This is a General Practice position, emphasizing Housing and Benefits (approximately .60 FTE), as well as assuming primary responsibility for provision of legal advice and representation to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault on a range of civil legal issues, including orders of protection, custody, support, housing, public benefits, employment, health, education and consumer law (approximately .30 FTE). This work involves close coordination with the local domestic violence and sexual assault services agencies and includes the full range of general practice matters handled by the program at the Administrative, Trial Court and Appellate levels. Duties may include representation of eligible clients in various civil matters including Landlord/Tenant, Real Property/Foreclosure, Medicaid/Health Care, SSI/Social Security, Welfare, Unemployment Insurance Benefits and other matters within program priorities.

LawNY® is a not-for-profit organization which provides civil legal services to low-income clients in a fourteen-county region in western New York State. The Ithaca office serves Tompkins and Tioga Counties and is located in the southern Finger Lakes region. The office provides legal advice and representation in the areas of housing, public benefits, family law on behalf of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, employment, consumer, health and elder law. LawNY® practices in a wide variety of courts, including justice court, state and county court, bankruptcy court and federal court, as well as administrative agency proceedings. Program staff includes attorneys and paralegals who work across areas of specialization to bring a holistic approach to addressing issues affecting our clients and communities. LawNY® focuses on meeting the legal needs of individual clients, as well as addressing systemic problems that create barriers for clients living in poverty.

Salary: Dependent on experience. The entry level annual salary for a newly admitted attorney with no practice experience is $46,500 and increases to $52,600 for an attorney with (5) years of experience. Staff are eligible for annual increases based on an established salary scale. LawNY® provides an excellent health, disability and benefits package. This position is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Requirements: 

Requirements: Applicants should have relevant legal experience and a demonstrated commitment to working with low-income families and individuals, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills. Law school graduates who have taken the first available New York State Bar examination following completion of law school may qualify for a practice order pending admission to the New York State bar pursuant to the LawNY practice order. Attorneys admitted in another jurisdiction may qualify for a practice order for up to (18) month pursuant to a court rule.

To apply: 

Procedure: Applicants should submit a cover letter describing qualifications, resume, writing sample and the name and contact information of (3) references by March 9, 2018 to ensure full consideration. Applications will be accepted beyond that date until the position is filled. Applications should be addressed to the attention of Gregg A. Thomas, Managing Attorney, and sent by e-mail to [email protected].

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.® (LawNY®) is an equal opportunity employer. LawNY® encourages applications from diverse candidates. LawNY® welcomes applications regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or any other consideration protected by law.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Submission deadline: 
Friday, March 9, 2018