Law Clerk - Albany

Overview

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) invites law clerk opportunities for Summer 2026. LASNNY provides free civil legal services, education, and advocacy to people with low income or barriers to accessing the legal system. LASNNY operates offices in Albany, Amsterdam, Canton, Gloversville, Plattsburgh, and Saratoga Springs to serve residents across multiple counties and the St. Regis Reservation.

• Gain experience interacting with clients; conduct legal research and writing for court documents and client correspondence; attend court appearances, administrative hearings, or other meetings; and observe a law firm environment.
• Participate in program-specific duties within the assigned office(s) and program area(s); duties include interviewing clients, drafting pleadings, researching legal issues, and assisting attorneys in hearings and case preparation as described per program below.

• Disability Advocacy Program (DAP) – All Offices
  • Represent clients with various physical and mental impairments; review medical, educational, and vocational records; conduct research and writing for federal court cases, appeals, and hearings; call clients and assist in preparing for hearings.
• Domestic Violence Legal Assistance (DVLAP) – All Offices
  • Assist with Orders of Protection, support, custody, divorce; client interviewing and counseling; petition and motion drafting; family court practice; occasional travel for court appearances and client meetings.
• Regional Intake – All Offices
  • Provide legal advice, gather case information, conduct consultations, assess client needs; client interviewing; legal research and writing; document review and analysis; drafting legal documents and correspondence.
• Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) – Albany Office Only
  • Assist with interviewing clients, drafting pleadings in divorce and consumer debt cases, support divorce clinics and name change clinics, participate in the Attorney for the Day Program in housing court, research issues, and collaborate with volunteer attorneys.
• Senior Legal Services (SLS) – Amsterdam or Albany Offices
  • Assist with interviewing clients, researching issues, and providing advice in services for people aged 60+. Focus areas include estate planning, housing, benefits counseling, and related matters.
• Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) – Albany Office
  • Assist with tax forms, client interviewing, researching tax issues, preparing tax returns, and supporting cases involving federal and state tax disputes; typical income considerations apply.
• Worker Protection Program (WPP) – Albany Office
  • Research anti-discrimination and labor laws; observe and participate in client interviews and meetings; draft memoranda; attend administrative conferences, investigations, and hearings. Interest in Employment Law is a plus.
• Economic Justice – All Offices
  • Support efforts to secure income supports and housing stability; perform research and writing for fair hearings and administrative appeals; assist with evidence preparation, client communication, document review, and hearing preparation.
• Housing – All Offices
  • Draft pleadings and correspondence; conduct client interviews; case development and investigation; interact with courts, opposing counsel, and agencies; assist with trial and hearing preparation.
• Veterans Program (LSV-H) – All Offices
  • Assist eligible veterans with intake, legal research, document drafting, case file maintenance, and coordination with VA staff and partners; participate in outreach at VA facilities and events.

• Commitment to providing legal services to the poor.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Ability to work well under stress and time pressure.
• Prior relevant experience in legal services to the poor; law school clinical experience is a plus.
• Spanish language ability is a plus.

• Compensation: $25 per hour.
• Work arrangements: remote, in person, or hybrid options available; minimum of 10 hours per week.
• Final date to receive applications:
  Summer clerkships –. Applications submitted after posting expires will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
• Documents required:
  Cover Letter (state program(s) and LASNNY offices of interest), Resume, and Writing Sample.
• Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action; LASNNY encourages applicants from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ individuals, protected veterans, public assistance recipients, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

LASNNY programs aim to provide inclusive, diverse workplaces and meaningful exposure to client-centered civil legal work.