Attorney Family

Neighborhood 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 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, eviction prevention, family/divorce, public benefits, disability advocacy, student loans, and health insurance.

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS), the largest provider of civil legal services in western New York, is seeking a staff attorney for the Family Law Unit. The staff attorney will advocate for individuals in need of representation in the Supreme and Family Courts of Erie County and the surrounding counties, in connection with matrimonial, child custody and support, domestic violence, and related family law matters.

The staff attorney will be responsible for caseload management, legal research and writing, client contact, court appearances, trials and hearings, community outreach, and daily engagement with prospective clients and the community partners of NLS.

• Develop a substantive knowledge of the areas of family law.
• Provide a spectrum of legal assistance to applicants affected by domestic violence and poverty, including advice and counsel by telephone, brief service, and full representation through trial.
• Identify and address systemic problems that affect the rights of persons within the family law realm and develop plans to address these challenges through advocacy, impact litigation, and policy work.
• Collaborate and coordinate with NLS staff and community partners to ensure effective referrals and holistic service delivery.
• Conduct community outreach, education, and training.
• Develop relationships with public and private community partners, including governmental agencies, courts, and community-based organizations, to ensure integrative services and address systemic barriers facing clients.
• Demonstrate cultural competency to work with low-income clients across diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, immigrant status, religious identity, and disabilities.
• Meet regularly with support staff, supervisors, and members of other NLS units to maintain and review efficient case management.

• Strong work ethic, ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic, multi-sector team.
• Curious and self-directed with the ability to anticipate client and partner needs.
• Cultural humility in working with diverse, low-income clients; familiarity with diverse communities is a plus.

• J.D. and New York State Bar Membership (may be pending).
• Previous experience working with low-income and/or underserved communities preferred.
• Second language fluency preferred.
• Legal services background or knowledge of general civil legal work.

• Work in a shared office environment, including at a workstation and attending meetings.
• Travel to meetings and hearings off-site.
• Use of computer and office equipment such as fax, copiers, and telephones.
• Ability to work in the evenings and weekends as required to serve clients.

• $67,222.10 to $118,250 per year, dependent upon experience and in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Law graduates pending admission are welcome to apply.

To apply, please go to  or NLS.ORG/Careers. You can also email resumes and cover letters to jobs. No phone calls please.