POSITION
ANNOUNCEMENT (JANUARY 2019)
HOUSING
STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION IN BATH, NY
Legal Assistance of
Western New York, Inc. (LawNY) has an immediate
opening for a Staff Attorney to provide legal advice and representation to
low-income tenants at risk of eviction, living in substandard housing, or
otherwise at risk of homelessness. The position will
include efforts to strengthen local code enforcement. The program has filed a successful federal
court action on code enforcement procedures when violations are so severe that
the rental housing is likely to be condemned.
Breon
v. Perales,
No. 6:15-CV-6335(MAT), 2015 WL 7289399,
(W.D.N.Y. Nov. 16, 2015) In order
to combat substandard rental housing, the position will include promoting more
systematic approaches by local code enforcement officers and improving
statewide supervision and standards.
The attorney will
provide legal assistance to clients in Steuben and Allegany Counties, an area
with pockets of extreme rural poverty. Many low-income households live in
substandard mobile homes or dilapidated rental housing. LawNY practices in a wide
variety of courts, including justice court, state and county court, bankruptcy
court and federal court, as well as administrative agency proceedings.
Program: LawNY is a not-for-profit
organization which provides civil legal services to low-income clients in a
fourteen-county region in western New York State. The Bath office is located in the southern
Finger Lakes region, just 7 miles south of Keuka Lake. The office provides legal advice and
representation in the areas of housing, public benefits, family law on behalf
of victims of domestic violence, employment, consumer and health. Program staff includes attorneys and paralegals
who work across areas of specialization to bring a holistic approach to
addressing issues affecting our clients and communities. LawNY� focuses on meeting
the legal needs of individual clients, as well as addressing systemic problems
that create barriers for clients living in poverty.
Requirements: Applicants should be
attorneys or law school graduates with relevant legal experience, a
demonstrated commitment to working with low-income people, as well as excellent
oral and written communication skills.
Law school graduates
who have taken the first available New York State Bar examination following
completion of law school may qualify for a practice order pending admission to
the New York State bar pursuant to the LawNY practice order. Attorneys admitted in another jurisdiction may
qualify for a practice order for up to 18 months pursuant to a court rule.
Salary: Dependent on
experience and based on a pay scale with annual increments. The entry level annual salary for a Staff
Attorney is $46,500, increasing to $52,600 for an attorney with five years'
experience. LawNY
provides an excellent health and benefits package as well as generous leave
provisions. This position is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards
Act.
Procedure: Applicants should submit the following: (1) a
cover letter describing interest and qualifications, (2) resume, (3) writing
sample and (4) the name and contact information of three references to the
attention of Amy Christensen, Deputy Director
via email to: lawnyapplications@lawny.org by January 18, 2019.
Legal Assistance of Western New York,
Inc. (LawNY) is an equal opportunity
employer. LawNY encourages
applications from diverse candidates.
LawNY
welcomes applications regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender
identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability,
genetic information or any other consideration protected by law.
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