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About the Role

Join the Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. (VLP) as a Staff Attorney in the Civil Unit. This role offers a chance to make a meaningful impact, build your career, and expand access to justice. We are seeking compassionate advocates who enjoy helping clients solve problems and navigate complex legal systems. This position offers direct client advocacy, meaningful public service, and professional growth in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Responsibilities

Represent clients through full representation, brief services, and advice and counsel in a variety of civil legal matters.
Handle cases involving estate matters, end of life planning, bankruptcy, name changes, divorce, and other civil legal issues.
Maintain accurate and organized electronic case files and case management records.
Participate in case conferences and collaborate closely with attorneys, paralegals, support staff, and interns.
Support community outreach efforts through legal clinics, presentations, and community events.
Handle a caseload of clients (full representation).
Help prepare cases for pro bono representation through volunteer attorneys.
Work directly with your Supervisor and the rest of the team to learn new areas of law and build your skills.

Requirements

J.D. degree required.
Admitted to practice law in New York State and in good standing.
Valid New York State driver's license and reliable transportation.
Technology skills to work in a fully paperless office.
Commitment to serving low-income and underserved communities.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Strong writing, advocacy, organization, and communication skills.
Compassionate advocate who enjoys helping clients solve problems and navigate complex legal systems.
Ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
Interest in learning new areas of Civil Law.

Skills

Writing skills
Advocacy skills
Organization skills
Communication skills
LegalServer experience is a plus
Microsoft Office experience is a plus
Microsoft Teams experience is a plus
SharePoint experience is a plus

Location

Buffalo, NY

Work Type

Full-Time
Hybrid work environment with two days in-office per week in 2027 (after completing your introductory period)

Experience Level

Attorneys with 1-3 years of experience encouraged to apply
Training available

Education Level

J.D. degree

Benefits

35-hour work weeks
Unmatched work-life balance
Extremely flexible schedule
No billable hours
Discouraged evening and weekend work
Access federal and state student loan forgiveness opportunities, including the NYS District Attorney and Legal Services Attorney Loan Forgiveness Program, beginning if your fourth year of employment.
Medical insurance is 90% paid by VLP
HRA funded to help meet deductible
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
Life/AD&D insurance
FSA
Dependent Care FSA
Pretax transit/parking
403(b) with employer contributions after 24 months

About the Company

VLP is a nonprofit civil legal services organization dedicated to expanding access to justice for low-income members of our community.
We work alongside volunteer attorneys, community partners, and dedicated staff to provide legal assistance in a variety of civil legal matters.
Our team is collaborative, mission-driven, and committed to helping people through some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

Equal Opportunity

VLP is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply.
Employer recruits without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital and familial status, domestic violence victim status, disability, military status, or protected veteran status.