The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Confidential Assistant to the Chief Attorney to contribute to our impact on Western New York communities. This position is part of the Appeals and Post Conviction Unit (APCU) team and under general direction from the Chief Attorney, uses sound judgment, discretion, and autonomy to initially primarily manage and coordinate the Unit’s program operations by overseeing, coordinating, and facilitating its related administrative and operational functions. This position requires a high-level legal operations professional capable of independently navigating complex operational demands and ensuring the efficient functioning of the Unit and its programs.
Given the nature of our work, the Confidential Assistant to the Chief Attorney is expected to work primarily on-site from our office located at 290 Main St., Buffalo, NY.
Who are we?
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has been providing access to justice and due process to the most vulnerable individuals, children and families in the Western New York Community for over 100 years. Using a holistic approach, we provide quality, client-centered legal representation in a vast range of criminal and civil matters such as mandated criminal defense, mandated child and youth representation, consumer credit, employment, education, family, post-conviction, appeals, housing, employment, and immigration. Please visit our website to learn more.
Why Join Us?
Mission-Drive Culture:
- Supportive work environment
- Opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration with colleagues
- Schedule Flexibility within operating hours
Competitive Pay: Salary ranging from $69,857 – $84,013 commensurate with relevant experience.
Comprehensive Benefits Package:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
- Extensive paid time off programs – holiday, vacation, personal, sick time, and more
- Paid parenthood leave plan.
- 401(k) retirement plan with contributions made by the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. between 6 and 8% when eligible.
- Life insurance.
- Voluntary supplemental insurance offering, which include short-term disability, long-term disability, term life insurance plus more.
- Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, flexible spending account, and more.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness: Eligible for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.
Key Responsibilities:
This includes but is not limited to:
- Collaborate with Unit leadership on Unit operations, which may include staffing, caseloads, service demands, and other key matters.
- Manage and facilitate the Unit’s internal operational processes, such as requests for court transcripts, client records, expense reimbursement, and CLEs. Collaborate with Administration teams to ensure Unit’s employees and records are up to date and in compliance with established organization-wide processes.
- Manage and facilitate the Unit’s court data processes to maintain compliance with reporting obligations. Generate reports to assist Unit leadership in meeting reporting obligations.
- Train, mentor, and coach staff on Unit programming and operational procedures and processes.
- Proactively identify improvements and enhancements to the Unit’s program and related processes.
- Oversee and assist in the preparation of briefs, motions, memoranda, letters, and file updates.
- Prepare correspondence, meeting materials, and presentations on behalf of Unit leadership.
- Facilitate, and, if needed, collaborate with Unit leadership in the proper maintenance of cases before, during, and after assignment, which includes, but is not limited to, conducting conflict checks, case screening, and assessment of potential issues.
- Foster positive working relationships with attorneys and support staff by actively participating in staff meetings to share updates, exchange ideas, and address concerns.
- Communicate with other agencies, attorneys, court personnel, clients, and family members of clients and answer questions as appropriate.
- Maintain specialized knowledge of regulations and laws as required by the Unit.
- Supervise or assist in the supervision of the Unit’s support staff job performance to maintain high accuracy and quality and, where appropriate, improve accuracy and quality.
- Ensure adherence to the Bureau’s policies and procedures for time and attendance, time-off scheduling, and, when requested, review and approve staff’s time.
- Review program productivity using case management software and other tools.
- Under the direction of the Chief Attorney, assist with weekly one-on-one meetings and annual performance reviews, which can include providing performance feedback.
- Collaborate with the Chief Attorney in the planning and coordinating of Unit activities and events, including staff training, community outreach, and recruiting efforts.
Employment Standards:
- Bachelor’s degree and at least one (1) year paralegal or related experience, or
- Graduation from a two (2) year college or university with an Associate’s degree in a related field and at least three (3) years paralegal or related experience, or
- Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and five (5) years of paralegal or related experience, or
- An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the above standards.
Degree(s) must have been awarded by a college, university, or law school accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. If the degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, the candidate must provide independent verification of equivalency.
Additional Requirements:
- Possession of a valid New York State Driver’s License and access to a registered, insured vehicle available for use during working hours or demonstrated capacity to meet the transportation needs of the position.
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc., values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristic or protected class.
If you need a reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office.
How to Apply:
Please send your cover letter, resume, work product/writing sample, and at least 3 references to resume@labbuffalo.org or mail them to:
If you need a reasonable accommodation in submitting the documents outlined above, completing the application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office at resume@labbuffalo.org or 716-853-9555 x183 or x288.
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
Attention: Human Resources
290 Main Street, Suite 400
Buffalo, NY 14202
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Following a review of applications, Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. will only contact those applicants whose backgrounds align with the qualifications outlined above.