PT Staff Attorney - Housing Unit (Jamestown

Position Description

The Jamestown office of LawNY® seeks an immediate opening for a part‑time Staff Attorney in its Housing Unit. The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal representation, primarily in eviction defense cases in Chautauqua with additional town and village coverage in Cattaraugus County. The candidate must have the caring, patience, and emotional maturity to help people with low‑income overcome crisis situations.

Staff Attorneys at LawNY® provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients and the ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of how civil legal issues affecting low‑income communities intersect with social and economic justice.

• Admitted to practice and in good standing in New York State.
• Demonstrated commitment of service to people with low‑income.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

The beginning salary for a Staff Attorney with no experience is  75,000 and for a Staff Attorney with thirty years of experience is  111,100. Salary will be prorated for part‑time hours and will be based on experience. LawNY is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF).

LawNY® provides an excellent package of fringe benefits, prorated for part‑time employees, including:

• 94% Employer‑paid Medical Premium with 100% Employer‑paid in‑network deductible
• 100% Employer‑paid Dental Insurance
• 100% Employer‑paid Life Insurance
• 100% Employer‑paid Enhanced Short‑term Disability
• 100% Employer‑paid Long‑term Disability
• Vision Insurance
• 20 Paid Vacation days per year
• 12 Sick days per year
• 5 Personal days per year
• 13.5 Holidays plus 2 floating Holidays per year
• 35‑Hour Work Week
• Hybrid Work Schedule (new staff can work from home up to 3 days per week; after 6 months, this increases to 5 days per week with Manager approval, as workload permits)

• Maintain a full‑time caseload representing eligible clients served by our Eviction Prevention Unit.
• Develop and maintain specialized knowledge in housing matters, particularly landlord‑tenant, subsidized housing, and government benefits.
• Provide legal services to low‑income clients and client groups regarding these matters, including advice, negotiation, litigation, and administrative advocacy.
• Interact respectfully with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, with an awareness of the importance of cultural competence and humility.
• Collaborate with other LawNY® advocates, human services providers, non‑profit organizations, community groups, courts, administrative tribunals, and the private bar to address legal problems within our community, including providing community legal education.
• Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment for fellow employees.
• Cooperate in all grant reporting requirements, program reporting, timekeeping, file maintenance, case closing, and compliance review.
• Maintain a high level of professional competence through attendance of training sessions, seminars, conferences, and self‑study to keep abreast of current developments in poverty law and the application of an equity lens to client service.

• Litigation and advocacy experience in state and/or federal court and/or administrative forums within at least one related area of poverty law (landlord‑tenant, foreclosure, bankruptcy, homelessness prevention, fair housing, and/or government benefits).
• Experience working with individuals and communities facing barriers to accessing resources, opportunities, services, or justice.
• Application of understanding of bias and systemic inequities related to socio‑economic status, race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, genetic information, national origin, familial status, and language, to improve client access, engagement, and outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including a commitment to trauma‑informed and culturally responsive services.
• True fluency in a language other than English that is spoken by our clients.

LawNY is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

If you meet the basic qualifications of the role, we encourage you to apply!