Legal Assistant – Civil Legal Services Unit

Legal Assistant – Civil Legal Services Unit

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Legal Assistant in our Criminal Defense Unit to contribute to our impact on Western New York communities. This union position will initially primarily focus on matrimonial matters. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals in the Western New York community by assisting our attorneys and clients at every stage of their case.

Given the nature of our work, this Legal Assistant position is expected to work primarily on-site from our office located at 290 Main St., Buffalo, NY.

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.

• Supportive work environment
• Opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration with colleagues
• Schedule Flexibility within operating hours.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
• Extensive paid time off programs– holiday,vacation, personal, sick time, and more
• Paid parenthood leaveplan.
• 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 includes short-term disability, long-term disability, term life insurance plus more.
• Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, flexible spending account, and more.

Eligible for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.

Include but are not limited to:

• 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 the 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.

• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two (2) year college or university with an Associate’s degree in Paralegal studies; or
• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four (4) year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree and completion of a course of in Paralegal studies which resulted in a certificate from a regionally accredited or New York State registered institution; or
• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four (4) year college or university and one (1) year experience as Paralegal, legal secretary,…