Make an Impact!
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Chief Attorney–Civil Legal Services (CLS) Unit to contribute to our impact on Western New York communities. This position is part of the senior leadership team and is responsible for overseeing the operations of the CLS Unit, which includes practice in housing, financial wellbeing, foreclosure defense, immigration, family law, re-entry services, veterans’ services, and other proceedings such as guardianships and estate matters.
In collaboration with the Deputy Executive Director-Civil Legal Practice, this position will provide legal, administrative, and supervisory support across a broad range of civil law matters to ensure high-quality legal services are provided in alignment with organizational goals and court mandates. Additionally, this position may represent clients across all eight counties of the Eighth Judicial District. Given the nature of our work, the Chief Attorney–Civil Legal Services is expected to work primarily on-site from our office located at 290 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202.
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; 7:45 am – 6:00 pm.
Competitive Pay: Salary ranging from $154,875 – $158,481, 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 offerings, 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:
- Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure efficient operation of the unit; ensure that the unit’s cases are handled in accordance with ethical standards; and that clients are provided with the highest quality representation.
- Participate in efforts to maintain and secure new funding, including assisting in compiling data for the submission of periodic reports to funders.
- Manage a diverse caseload across multiple civil practice areas.
- Support Managing Attorneys in overseeing Staff Attorneys’ case management, including file maintenance, case status reviews, and quality assurance of legal documents and communications. Assist with complex cases, ensure timely submission of required court documents and vouchers, and address HR-related matters as needed.
- Supervise CLS managing attorneys, attorneys, and support staff, and oversee daily unit operations.
- Collaborate with executive management to make staffing decisions, including job offers and terminations.
- Conduct regular and frequent meetings to share information and ensure alignment with Bureau goals.
- Support Managing Attorneys in training and/or mentoring less experienced attorneys, interns, law clerks, and volunteers.
- Assist Managing Attorneys in delivering ongoing performance feedback and conducting annual evaluations for staff.
- Participate in bi-weekly management meetings and monthly strategic discussions with executive leadership.
- Participate in regular Bureau committee meetings, including intern, DEI, and labor- management committees.
- Maintain and grow Bureau outreach in accordance with client needs and grant requirements; schedule coverage for all outreaches and maintain numbers for grant reporting; manage coverage for unscheduled outreaches and staff shortages; maintain relationships with partner agencies and locations for outreach; develop new outreach, clinic, walk-ins, and hotlines, and oversee service delivery in coordination with Managing Attorneys and Support Staff Supervisors.
- Consult with Deputy Executive Director – Civil Legal Practice on unit operations, including personnel matters, caseloads, performance metrics, service demands, and other significant matters impacting the unit.
- Ensure CLS meets annual case resolution targets as outlined by the applicable grant requirements.
- Represent the Bureau in statewide and countywide bar association activities, often serving in a leadership capacity. Attend conferences, provider meetings, and other professional gatherings to advance the Bureau’s interests and strengthen community partnerships.
- Manage assignments and provide supervision and support to CLS interns, ensuring meaningful engagement and alignment with unit goals.
- Maintain current and comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and serve as a legal resource to unit staff.
- Coordinate with other units in the Bureau regarding legal projects and outreach programs.
- Respond to client concerns or complaints when escalated or necessary.
- When requested, assist with the negotiation and preparation of the Collective Bargaining Agreements, employee grievances for both the Attorneys and Support Staff Unions, and interview panels for positions outside of CLS.
- Engage with walk-ins and callers to provide legal information and assistance when appropriate.
- Communicate with representatives of the Courts regarding the administration of unit work.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Executive Director-Civil Practice.
Qualifications:
One of the following combinations of education and experience is required:
- A minimum of seven years of experience as an attorney in the practice of Civil Legal Services; or
- A combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the above employment standard and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
- Admitted to practice and in good standing with the New York State Bar.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous management or leadership experience.
To be successful as a Chief Attorney – Civil Legal Services Unity you will need to possess:
- Proven knowledge of statutory laws related to practicing Federal Bankruptcy Law and New York Civil Law, including Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Procedure, Civil Procedure Law and Rules, Domestic Relations Law, Family Law Statutes, Mental Hygiene Law, Real Property Law, Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law, Estate Powers and Trusts Law, Surrogate’s Regulations, New York State Rules of Professional Conduct, New York Standards of Civility and any other laws and rules governing the practice areas engaged in by the CLS Unit from time to time.
- Superior organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and manage a high volume of administrative responsibilities.
- Ability to effectively supervise diverse personalities.
- Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication abilities across diverse audiences and settings.
- Proven strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities along with the ability to analyze information and data.
- Ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the unit and unit staff.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse and interdisciplinary teams while ensuring an inclusive work environment.
- Demonstrated computer proficiency including, but not limited to, Microsoft applications and digital legal research using online databases and legal information platforms.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and objectivity at all times.
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.
How to Apply:
Please send your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and at least 3 references to resume@labbuffalo.org or mail them to:
The writing sample should be an original narrative response to a fictitious grant application consisting of no more than 2,000 words. The writing sample should articulate a legal services program of the applicant’s choosing that aims to address the legal needs of low-income Western New Yorkers and the writing sample should address the following:
- The purpose and goals of the proposed legal project;
- The target community of the proposed legal project;
- Implementation of the proposed legal project; and
- Measurement of outcomes of the proposed legal project.
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.