ECBA VOLUNTEER
LAWYERS PROJECT (VLP)
STAFF ATTORNEY for Pro Bono Department
The Erie County Bar Association Volunteer
Lawyers Project (VLP) is seeking an attorney to join its Pro Bono Department,
which coordinates and facilitates pro bono work by local attorneys and law
firms. This includes several limited scope outreach programs, full
representation cases, developing and presenting recruitment trainings, and coordinating
special projects. The pro bono culture is strong within our local bar. The attorney hired will serve as part of
VLP's pro bono team to maintain and strengthen that pro bono culture.
The Staff Attorney will be based in VLP's
office in Buffalo and most of the work will be in and around the Buffalo
area. However, the Staff Attorney's
duties will include coordinating and supervising VLP's Housing Hotline program,
which will provide free civil legal advice and assistance to unrepresented low
income people facing eviction in Courts within Erie County, but outside of the
City of Buffalo.
Responsibilities will include building
relationships with, recruiting, training and supporting pro bono attorneys; some
case handling; and training/supervising student interns and community
volunteers to conduct client intake and screening. Some regional travel will be required. This is a dynamic position which may evolve
based upon client needs and the attorney's skills/interest.
The candidate must be a comfortable and
engaging public speaker; be able to work cooperatively with VLP staff and a
variety of other partners, including private attorneys, student interns and
court staff; be able to work independently; be able to multitask and be
comfortable serving low-income clients from diverse backgrounds.
The candidate must be admitted to practice
law in NY. Prior experience or demonstrated interest in housing law preferred,
but not required. Fluency in a foreign
language and demonstrated commitment to working in the public interest are
pluses, but not required.
VLP is a non-profit with
excellent fringe benefits including fully paid health insurance, generous leave
time and holidays. The work atmosphere is congenial, respectful and flexible. VLP is an equal opportunity employer. Salary depends upon experience. Deadline
to apply is March 30, 2018.
Please send a cover letter, resume, and
names of 3 references to:
Gayle
Towne Murphy, Esq., Pro Bono Manager
Erie
County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. (VLP)
gmurphy@ecbavlp.com
(716)
847‑0662 ext 321 |