Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo seeks to provide access to justice and due process to the most vulnerable individuals, children and families in the Western New York Community through quality legal representation and assistance.

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.’s Criminal Defense Unit (“unit”) takes a holistic, client-centered approach in the representation of its clients and requires a Legal Assistant to support its Staff Attorneys in delivering quality representation.  The Legal Assistant will be primarily assigned to a Staff Attorney to support their administrative needs, as well as support other CDU administrative needs necessary for the unit’s ability to discharge its criminal defense and associated activities.  We are seeking a Legal Assistant to provide clerical support services to our staff attorneys, prioritizing access and visual interpretation duties, both in and out of court, at the direction of the Staff Attorney with whom they work. The Legal Assistant will also support other administrative needs of the unit, when required. The duties assigned may involve, but not be limited to the following:

• Assist Staff Attorney in visual interpretation of information including, but not limited to legal documents, intake forms, body-worn camera footage, photographs, evidence in other formats, records, files, receipts, and any other information which may require visual interpretation.
• Assist Staff Attorney with scribe duties such as completing forms, recording details of court appearances, communication with clients
• Entering case information accurately from files into database and accessing that information, as necessary.
• Preparing case calendars as required by unit.
• Obtaining and assembling necessary reports, documents, or court records relating to each case.
• Typing from rough draft, verbal instructions, dictating equipment or other as directed by an attorney.
• Preparing letters, motion papers and briefs, memorandums, pleadings, petitions, orders, court and administrative papers, reports, notice of appeal, and other documentary work in proper legal format.  Printing and saving the documents in the appropriate directories.  Filing, mailing, and/or delivering documents as directed by attorney.
• Serving legal papers, including subpoenas, as required.
• Communicating in person, by telephone, e-mail, fax or by mail with clients, other agencies, attorneys, court and other public officials, other staff and persons with whom the unit staff interacts, and the general public; taking and giving telephone messages; and answering questions and/or making referrals as appropriate.
• Maintaining confidentiality of all files.
• Assisting attorneys in interviewing prospective and current clients, witnesses and any other person at various locations to gather factual information related to the case, including financial eligibility data, as required.
• Performing other duties as assigned, including assisting other units when needed.

Legal assistant or legal secretarial experience preferred.

This position is full-time. Starting salary is $45,269.

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision benefits is available to you and your dependents.  In addition, we offer generous vacation, personal, and sick time.  Other benefits available to you are long-term disability insurance, supplemental term life insurance, parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, a flexible spending account, and a 401(k) retirement plan.

Many of our staff apply for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. values Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities / Females / Disabled / Veterans / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

Please send cover letter and resume to  resume@legalaidbuffalo.org or The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc., Attention: Human Resources, 290 Main Street, Suite 400, Buffalo, NY 14202.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.