ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Dss Attorney Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Associate

Rochester, NY · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

With a team of highly skilled and experienced attorneys, we strive to deliver comprehensive and ... Familiarity with New York Medicaid rules, DSS application procedures, and long-term care planning ...

All JobsDss Attorney JobsDss Attorney Jobs in Rochester, NY

Dss Attorney information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$40K

$97K

$189.4K

How much do dss attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for dss attorney in Rochester, NY is $97,020.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,600.00 and $118,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a DSS Attorney, and how can they be managed effectively?

DSS Attorneys often navigate heavy caseloads and emotionally charged cases involving child welfare, abuse, or neglect. Balancing the legal complexities with the need to protect vulnerable individuals can be demanding. Effective time management, strong communication with caseworkers and other stakeholders, and ongoing professional development are crucial for success. Building resilience and seeking support from colleagues can also help manage the emotional aspects of the role.

What are DSS Attorneys?

DSS Attorneys, or Department of Social Services Attorneys, are legal professionals who represent state or county social services agencies in legal matters. Their primary responsibilities include handling cases related to child welfare, child support enforcement, adult protective services, and other social services issues. They work to ensure that the agency complies with laws and regulations, represent the agency in court, and provide legal advice to social workers and staff. DSS Attorneys often collaborate with other professionals to protect vulnerable populations and uphold the mission of the social services department.

What is the difference between Dss Attorney vs Legal Assistant?

AspectDss AttorneyLegal Assistant
Required CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, legal licenseAssociate degree or paralegal certification
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, legal departmentsLaw offices, corporate legal teams, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageLegal professionals, law firms, judiciaryLegal support staff, law firms, corporate legal departments

While both Dss Attorneys and Legal Assistants work within the legal industry, Dss Attorneys are licensed legal professionals with law degrees and bar admission, handling legal cases and providing legal advice. Legal Assistants support attorneys with administrative and research tasks but do not hold a law license. They work closely in the same environments but have different responsibilities and credentials.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a DSS Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a DSS Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, state bar admission, and a strong understanding of family law, child welfare, and administrative proceedings. Familiarity with case management systems, legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and court filing procedures is typically required. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and empathy are crucial soft skills for advocating effectively and supporting vulnerable clients. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure ethical, efficient representation and positive legal outcomes for children and families in the social services system.
What are popular job titles related to Dss Attorney jobs in Rochester, NY? For Dss Attorney jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Dss Attorney jobs in Rochester, NY look for? The top searched job categories for Dss Attorney jobs in Rochester, NY are:
What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Dss Attorney jobs? Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Dss Attorney job openings:
Dss Attorney jobs near you
Associate

Associate

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Rochester, NY • On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Department: Trust & Estates

Location: Rochester

Classification: Exempt

Company Overview:

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP is a leading and reputable full-service law firm dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to our clients. With a team of highly skilled and experienced attorneys, we strive to deliver comprehensive and effective solutions to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Headquarters are located in Rochester, NY, with additional offices in Albany and Buffalo, NY.


We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. We encourage open communication, teamwork, and professional growth. Our firm promotes a healthy work-life balance and supports the well-being of our employees.


Summary:

We are looking for a motivated Elder Law Attorney to join our growing team. This position is responsible for counseling clients on long term care planning, Medicaid eligibility, asset protection, and estate planning. The ideal candidate has a strong work ethic, exceptional client communication skills, and is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where matters are often time-sensitive and emotionally charged.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Counsel clients on Medicaid eligibility for nursing home and community-based long-term care, including New York's five-year lookback rules and asset protection strategies
  • Draft and review estate planning documents including Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, and various Trust Agreements
  • Prepare Medicaid gift and note plans, asset summaries, and flowcharts
  • Assist with Medicaid applications and coordinate with experienced Medicaid paralegals on submission of required documentation to county DSS offices
  • Represent clients in administrative hearings and court appeals involving wrongfully denied benefits or Medicaid estate recovery claims
  • Advise on supplemental needs trusts and special needs planning for individuals with disabilities
  • Advise on guardianships, spousal impoverishment protections, pooled income trusts, and community spouse resource allowances
  • Coordinate with clients, financial advisors, accountants, and skilled nursing facilities to ensure planning is compliant with federal and state Medicaid law
  • Provide professional, efficient, and compassionate client service in person, by telephone, and in writing
  • Stay current on developments in New York Medicaid law and policy through continuing legal education and participation in organizations such as NAELA and the NYSBA Elder Law and Special Needs Section
  • Perform other duties as needed upon request by department chair or firm management


Required Education and Experience:

  • J.D. from an accredited law school
  • Admission to the New York State Bar required
  • 5+ years of elder law, estate planning, or related experience preferred
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Familiarity with New York Medicaid rules, DSS application procedures, and long-term care planning strategies preferred
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly to clients and families
  • Ability to prioritize workload and independently manage multiple matters simultaneously
  • Must maintain professional relationships with attorneys, staff, clients, and outside agencies and observe strict confidentiality of all client and firm matters
  • NAELA membership or demonstrated interest in elder law policy a plus


Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands/fingers to type, hold, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
  • Regularly required to talk or hear.
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this role. It provides a snapshot of the core functions and responsibilities. All inquiries will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. The compensation range for this position is $120,000-160,000 annually, representing our good faith and reasonable estimate of the potential compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on numerous factors, including the candidate's qualifications, experience, skill set, and office location. Additionally, relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.


Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value an open mind, dedication to work, and a collaborative spirit. We hire based on these qualities, a job’s requirements, our business needs, and an applicant’s qualifications. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind—in the hiring process or in the workplace. We comply with the ADA and consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants/employees to perform essential functions. We participate in E-Verify. We will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the U.S. We will only use E-Verify once an employee has accepted a job offer and completed Form I-9.