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The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Staff Attorney in our Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit to contribute to our impact on Western New York (NY) communities. This Attorneys’ Union position primarily focus on performing a variety of appellate activities in criminal appeals on behalf of indigent appellants, as assigned by the courts, convicted in various counties in Western New York.

Staff attorneys are initially primarily responsible for handling every aspect of the appeals that are assigned to them, upon receipt of the file through the outcome of the case in the appellate court, and, as necessary, the outcome of any leave application filed with the Court of Appeals (the state’s highest court). Staff Attorneys handle the appeal in the Court of Appeals in the event that an application for leave is granted. They also investigate cases for potential post-conviction issues, and file such motions as are appropriate. In limited circumstances, the attorney may be called upon to file petitions for a writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court or file amicus briefs in state and federal courts.

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

Who are we?

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. Please visit our website to learn more.

Why Join Us?

Competitive Pay: Salary for this position is anticipated to be $83,959.

Mission-Drive Culture:

• Supportive work environment
• Opportunities to learn and grow through collaboration with colleagues
• Enjoy a full-time, 40-hour work week, inclusive of a daily paid 1-hour meal break, and build flexibility into your schedule within the parameters of our collective bargaining agreement.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
• Extensive paid time off programs– holiday, vacation, personal, sick time, and more
• Paid parenthood leave plan.
• 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.

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

Key Responsibilities:

• Reads transcripts of case.
• Takes notes from transcripts and prepares a transcript summary for use in drafting appeal.
• Discerns legal issues from the transcript and/or client questionnaire
• Researches possible legal issues; chooses appropriate issues for brief and discards issues that are non-meritorious or less than meritorious, keeping in mind the obligation to provide “meaningful representation” as that term has been defined by the Court of Appeals.
• Drafts the necessary briefs, including but not limited to appellant’s principal and reply briefs in criminal and Family Court appeals. Where the Bureau represents the defendant on a People’s appeal, drafts the responding brief.
• Files stay applications, post-conviction, or other motions as needed depending on the needs of each individual client
• Corresponds with the client, and where the client is incarcerated, either visits client at correctional facility or discusses case with client via confidential phone call with the facility. Out-of-custody consultation with some clients occurs as well.
• Communicates with the trial attorney, as necessary.
• Prepares stipulation to the record on appeal or certification for the record on appeal; assembles the record on appeal
• Gathers physical documents for appendix and submits to Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit paralegals for numbering, copying, and formatting.
• Meets regularly with the Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit Chief Attorney, to discuss status of cases.
• Keeps abreast of recent developments in criminal law.
• Disposes of a satisfactory number of cases per calendar year, the number to be determined by supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Appeals and Post-Conviction Unit Chief Attorney, including, but not limited to, participation in moot court sessions and arguing cases in court.

Employment Standards:

• Law school graduates or third-year law students (3Ls) who can demonstrate they are registered to take the next upcoming bar exam or;
• Active membership in the State Bar of New York and
• Experience as an appellate attorney preferred; or
• A combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the above employment standard and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• Computer proficiency, including, but not limited to, word processing skills and computerized legal research.

*Degree(s) must have been awarded by a college, university or law school accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. If the degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, the candidate must provide independent verification of equivalency.

Additional Requirements:

• Possession of a valid New York State Driver’s License and access to a registered, insured vehicle available for use during working hours, or demonstrated capacity to meet the transportation needs of the position.

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected class.

How to Apply: Please send your cover letter, resume and writing sample to resume@labbuffalo.org or mail them to:

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
Attention: Human Resources
290 Main Street, Suite 400
Buffalo, NY 14202

If you need a reasonable accommodation in submitting the documents outlined above, completing the application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office at resume@labbuffalo.org or 716-853-9555 x183 or x288.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. We look forward to welcoming a new member to our dedicated team.