STAFF ATTORNEY

Position: Legal Services of Central New York, Inc. will hire staff attorneys for positions in seven offices in three regions anchored in Syracuse, Utica, and Binghamton. Placement is based on the needs of the local communities served.

Responsibilities: Staff Attorneys engage in challenging and interesting legal representation including advice, negotiation, litigation, and administrative advocacy. LSCNY staff attorneys, collaborating in teams led by an experienced supervisor, represent clients in essentials-of-life matters.

Housing stability cases, especially eviction defense, are a substantial portion of a staff attorney’s caseload. Attorneys regularly appear in City, Town, and Village Courts across our service area in eviction cases. Attorneys also work on poverty law issues such as public benefits, employment, unemployment insurance, education, and consumer matters. Attorneys are encouraged to work on advocacy and projects beyond individual casework. Attorneys are expected to conduct community outreach and work to build essential partnerships with local community organizations.

Our organization: LSCNY is committed to achieving justice for low-income people and those who have difficulty accessing the justice system. We are deeply committed to principles of anti-racism and race equity in all we do. For 59 years, we have made a difference in clients’ lives and their communities by eliminating barriers causing poverty and increasing access to economic mobility. We continually search for ways to help people improve their lives and communities.

Qualifications: Candidates admitted or eligible for admission to the bar of the State of New York are preferred. LSCNY will consider 2025 law school graduates.

Attributes of a successful candidate:

A commitment to providing high quality legal assistance to low-income and underserved populations.

A commitment to race equity, anti-racism, and economic justice.

Analytical, legal writing, and advocacy skills.

Organizational and interpersonal skills.

The ability to work independently and collaboratively.

The ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Bilingual or multi-lingual is a plus.

Opportunities for professional development: LSCNY is committed to creating opportunities for development and career advancement. We invest in skills, substantive law, and leadership training for our staff. We encourage attorneys to become active in the state and local bar associations and local community organizations.

Salary/Benefits:  Starting salaries for a New York admitted attorney range from $80,000 to $110,540 depending on experience. Salaries are established by a collective bargaining agreement. Hybrid work is available subject to prerequisites in the agreement. We have an excellent benefits package and generous leave policy. LSCNY pays for bar memberships, attorney registration, and training opportunities, including Mandatory Continuing Legal Education courses.

Four-Day Work Week. In a bold and innovative move, LSCNY staff will work a 32-hour, four-day week. While maintaining high quality legal services to clients and the passion for our mission, the cutting-edge environment will positively affect staff work-life balance, retention, and recruiting.

Closing date: Closing date for applications: when filled.

Application:  Applications must include a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references. LSCNY invites applicants to address in their cover letter how their unique background and experience might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

Director of Human Resources

Legal Services of Central New York, Inc.

221 South Warren Street, Suite 300

Syracuse, New York 13202

Email: hiring@lscny.org

Legal Services of Central New York, Inc. is committed to diversity and inclusion in hiring, retaining, and promoting so we can be more creative, effective, and just, bringing more varied perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, talents, and interests to the practice of law and the administration of justice. We accept, respect, and value differences that include attributes such as age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disabilities, language, socioeconomic status, marital and parental status, national origin, immigration status, and cultural background. We strongly encourage individuals with historically marginalized identities to apply.