Staff Attorney - General Law & Public

Staff Attorney – General Law & Public Benefits

Join the Ithaca office of Legal Assistance Of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY®) as a Staff Attorney in our General Law/Public Benefits Unit.

The Staff Attorney will assist at‑risk students with cases involving education plans, school discipline for those with special needs, homelessness, and other issues that affect students with low income. The role also includes representing clients denied disability benefits from the Social Security Administration and addressing a wide range of public benefits matters.

We encourage applicants with diverse substantive legal experience. The ideal candidate demonstrates caring, patience, and emotional maturity to help low‑income clients overcome crisis situations and shows strong commitment to community justice.

• Admitted to practice in good standing in New York State.
• Demonstrated commitment to service for people with low income.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Starting salary is $75,000 for a staff attorney with no experience, increasing to $111,100 for a professional with thirty years of experience. Salary is experience‑based and LawNY® qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

• 94% employer‑paid medical premium with 100% employer‑paid in‑network deductible.
• 100% employer‑paid dental insurance.
• 100% employer‑paid life insurance.
• 100% employer‑paid enhanced short‑term disability.
• 100% employer‑paid long‑term disability.
• Vision insurance.
• 20 paid vacation days per year.
• 12 sick days per year.
• 5 personal days per year.
• 13.5 holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year.
• 35‑hour work week.
• Hybrid work schedule: new staff may work from home up to 3 days per week, expanding to 5 days after 6 months with manager approval as workload permits.

• Maintain a full‑time caseload representing eligible clients.
• Interact respectfully with clients from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating cultural competence and humility.
• Collaborate with LawNY® advocates, human services providers, nonprofits, community groups, courts, administrative tribunals, and the private bar to address legal problems and provide community legal education.
• Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment for colleagues.
• Comply with grant reporting, program reporting, timekeeping, file maintenance, case closing, and compliance review requirements.

• Litigation and advocacy experience in state and/or federal court and/or administrative forums within at least one area of poverty law, especially family law, government benefits, eviction prevention, consumer, and/or fair housing.
• Experience incorporating an anti‑racist and anti‑oppressive lens into legal practice.
• Understanding of structural and institutional racism and its impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a commitment to trauma‑informed services.
• Lived experience with client communities.
• Fluency in a language other than English spoken by clients.
• Passion for social justice and commitment to LawNY®’s mission.
• Proficiency with Google Drive/GSuite, Word, Excel, database programs, and Lexis Nexis or Westlaw.

Legal Assistance Of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY®) is a not‑for‑profit law firm that offers free civil legal services to low‑income clients across a 14‑county area in Western New York. The firm employs over 180 staff, including attorneys, paralegals, and support personnel, and has field offices in Bath, Elmira, Geneva, Ithaca, Jamestown, Olean, Rochester, Lakeville, and Lyons.

LawNY® is committed to equitable inclusion, diversity, and cultural competency, striving to build a workplace where race equity, diversity, and inclusion are integral to client advocacy and internal operations.

Review our full application and interview tips on LawNY®’s application page and submit your cover letter, résumé, and three professional references through the Bamboo

HR platform here:  Applications remain open until the position is filled.

Please also include in your cover letter how your background and experience prepare you to contribute to LawNY®’s mission, vision, and values.

LawNY® is an equal‑opportunity employer; we welcome applicants of all backgrounds and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.