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About the Role

The Staff Attorney will focus on early intervention for tenants, aiming to resolve housing instability issues before or shortly after an eviction petition is filed. This role involves negotiation, rental assistance coordination, and administrative advocacy to help tenants maintain safe, healthy, and stable housing.

Responsibilities

• Engage tenants at the earliest point of housing instability, including after a rent demand, notice to cure, notice of termination, or notice of nonrenewal, and before a petition is filed.
• Negotiate with landlords, property managers, and opposing counsel to resolve rent arrears, habitability conditions, and lease disputes without court involvement.
• Coordinate rental assistance, utility assistance, housing subsidies, and public benefits, working with the Client Services Coordinator to resolve the conditions that drive housing loss.
• Represent tenants in administrative proceedings, including Section 8 and Housing Choice Voucher terminations, public housing lease terminations, subsidy recertification and repayment disputes, and informal hearings before housing authorities and administering agencies.
• Advocate with housing authorities, subsidy administrators, property managers, and code enforcement on repairs, habitability conditions, and reasonable accommodation requests under fair housing law.
• Represent tenants in public benefits matters that bear directly on housing stability, including emergency assistance and rental arrears denials, and request fair hearings where appropriate.
• Prepare clients to testify at administrative hearings.
• Draft demand letters, negotiation correspondence, hearing requests, administrative appeals, and settlement and payment agreements.
• Advise tenants on their rights and options at the pre-litigation stage and provide limited-scope assistance, including help preparing an answer or requesting an adjournment.
• Provide same-day consultation in urgent matters, including illegal lockouts, utility shutoffs, and imminent warrant execution, and coordinate referral to the court representation team where litigation is required.
• Appear in City, Town, and Village Courts on a limited basis when a matter cannot be resolved outside court or when emergency relief is needed.
• Conduct legal research and stay current on landlord-tenant law, subsidy program rules, and eviction prevention strategies.
• Deliver Know Your Rights presentations and train caseworkers, advocates, Office for the Aging and Department of Social Services staff, and other providers who work with tenants.
• Assist with intake at off-site locations, including during evening hours, to ensure accessibility for clients.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete case and time records in the case management system in compliance with LSC regulations, LASMNY policies, and grant reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with partner organizations, pro bono attorneys, and other stakeholders, and serve as an ambassador for LASMNY in the community.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and case consultations.
• Exhibit a strong commitment to advancing the mission of LASMNY.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master of Laws (LL.M.) from an accredited law school.
• Eligible for admission to practice law in New York State. Law school graduates registered for the New York State Bar Exam, or eligible for admission on motion, are encouraged to apply.
• Valid New York State driver license and access to reliable transportation, with the ability to travel regularly to client meetings, agency hearings, and community sites throughout the assigned counties.
• Excellent written, analytical, organizational, and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and serving communities facing systemic barriers to justice.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, and manage a high volume of matters.
• Demonstrate the highest level of professionalism when handling confidential and sensitive client information.
• Communicate effectively and courteously with clients, attorneys, court personnel, agency staff, and community partners.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance in accordance with organizational policies.
• Adapt to new technologies and systems, including legal research tools and case management software.
• Comply with all Legal Services Corporation regulations, LASMNY policies and procedures, and grant-based reporting requirements.
• Perform additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by a supervisor based on agency needs.

Skills

• Negotiation
• Administrative advocacy
• Legal research
• Landlord-tenant law
• Subsidy program rules
• Eviction prevention strategies
• Public speaking
• Case management
• Collaboration
• Proficiency in languages other than English

Location

• Syracuse, NY

Work Type

• Full-time
• Hybrid

Experience Level

• 0-5 years of relevant experience preferred

Education Level

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master of Laws (LL.M.)

Salary/Compensations

• $78,000 pending admission
• $80,000 upon admission
• Up to $89,161 at Step 5-6

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement contributions
• Paid leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Qualifying employer for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

About the Company

• The Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc. (LASMNY) is a non-profit public interest law firm providing free legal information, advice, and representation to low-income individuals.
• LASMNY serves thirteen counties: Broome, Chenango, Cayuga, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and Otsego.
• The Agricultural Worker Project (AWP) provides services to agricultural workers throughout New York State.
• LASMNY's mission is to provide free legal assistance to low-income individuals facing civil legal issues that impact basic needs such as housing, safety, income, and healthcare.
• LASMNY is committed to protecting the rights of vulnerable populations including seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, immigrants, and survivors of domestic violence.

Equal Opportunity

• LASMNY is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.
• LASMNY provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process.