Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.® (LawNY®) has an immediate opening for a Staff Attorney to provide legal advice and representation to low-income tenants at risk of eviction, living in substandard housing, or otherwise at risk of homelessness. The position will include efforts to strengthen local code enforcement. The program has filed a successful federal court action on code enforcement procedures when violations are so severe that the rental housing is likely to be condemned. Breon v. Perales, No. 6:15-CV-6335(MAT), 2015 WL 7289399, (W.D.N.Y. Nov. 16, 2015) In order to combat substandard rental housing, the position will include promoting more systematic approaches by local code enforcement officers and improving statewide supervision and standards.
The attorney will provide legal assistance to clients in Steuben and Allegany Counties, an area with pockets of extreme rural poverty. Many low-income households live in substandard mobile homes or dilapidated rental housing. 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: 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 Bath office is located in the southern Finger Lakes region, just 7 miles south of Keuka Lake. The office provides legal advice and representation in the areas of housing, public benefits, family law on behalf of victims of domestic violence, employment, consumer and health. 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 and based on a pay scale with annual increments. The entry level annual salary for a Staff Attorney is $46,500, increasing to $52,600 for an attorney with five years’ experience. LawNY® provides an excellent health and benefits package as well as generous leave provisions. This position is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Requirements: Applicants should be attorneys or law school graduates with relevant legal experience, a demonstrated commitment to working with low-income people, 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 months pursuant to a court rule.
Procedure: Applicants should submit the following: (1) a cover letter describing interest and qualifications, (2) resume, (3) writing sample and (4) the name and contact information of three references to the attention of Amy Christensen, Deputy Director via email to: [email protected] by January 18, 2019.
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.