The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Paralegal in our Criminal Defense Unit to initially focus on felony matters. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals in the Western New York Community.
The Senior Paralegal assists the attorneys in investigation, preparation, and planning of cases; assists in developing legal defenses and dispositional plans; makes recommendations to attorneys concerning client wishes; possesses knowledge and skill in interviewing clients. Possesses a familiarity with the applicable law, interviews clients in institutions, or other locations as necessary, prepare motions and other court documents, serves and files court papers and subpoenas; performs conflict checks, and perform general office tasks.
Given the nature of our work, this Senior Paralegal 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?
Competitive Pay: Salary ranging from $50,860 – $58,121 commensurate with relevant experience.
Mission-Drive Culture:
- Supportive work environment
- Opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration with colleagues
- Enjoy a full-time, 35-hour work week, and build flexibility into your schedule within the parameters of our collective bargaining agreement.
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:
- Assists attorneys in interviewing clients, witnesses, etc. at various locations, (including court detention and Mental Health facilities) for factual information related to the case.
- Performs fieldwork as required.
- Reviews and/or obtains histories, service plans, agency, medical or school records and clinical assessments of clients.
- Prepares drafts of legal pleadings, including petitions, motions, or orders, as directed by an attorney.
- Drafts and prepares related reports and correspondence.
- Obtains and assembles all necessary reports, documents, or court records relating to the case.
- Maintains accurate case records.
- Serves legal papers, including subpoenas as required.
- Confers with caseworkers, service providers, educators, representatives of other agencies, probation officers or any other collateral individual, as required.
- Presents cases before hearing officers, as required by unit.
- Performs legal research as directed and verifies citations and statutory references contained in legal documents.
- Works collaboratively with attorneys to develop recommendations regarding the client’s wishes and prepares written reports regarding completed investigations.
- Attends court proceedings and provides testimony, as required.
- Verifies citations and statutory references contained in legal documents; and does legal research under supervision, as required.
- Files and organizes legal research materials as directed.
- Attends meetings, reviews, conferences, or other functions, at various locations, as required by unit.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Employment Standards:
- Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four (4) year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree, or graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two (2) year college or University with an Associates degree in Paralegal Studies.
- Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and five (5) years of experience as a Paralegal; 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 NYS drivers license and access to a registered, insured vehicle available for use during working hours, or demonstrated capacity to meet the transportation requirements 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 protected class.
How to Apply: Please send your cover letter and resume to resume@labbuffalo.org or mail them to:
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
Attention: Human Resources
290 Main Street, Suite 400
Buffalo, NY 14202
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.
Interviews will be conducted 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.