Description
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
Civil Legal Services
Managing Attorney – Family Defense
Lead. Advocate. Mentor. Make a Lasting Impact.
Are you a passionate family defense attorney ready to take the next step in your leadership career? Do you thrive in a mission-driven environment where your expertise can help protect the rights of families and strengthen a team of dedicated advocates?
We are seeking an experienced family defense attorney for a Managing Attorney role to provide strategic leadership, legal oversight, training and mentorship, and day-to-day management of our Family Defense practice. In this critical leadership role, you will guide a talented team of attorneys, social workers, and legal assistants, while ensuring exceptional legal representation for parents and caregivers involved in Erie County Family Court matters.
This is more than a management position, it's an opportunity to shape legal advocacy, mentor the next generation of attorneys, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of families throughout our community.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to be part of a mission-driven organization where your leadership directly impacts families, strengthens communities, and supports meaningful access to justice.
- Competitive Salary: $130,815 – $148,963 commensurate with experience.
- Work-life Balance: A regular full-time schedule designed to provide a healthy and sustainable work-life balance.
- Professional Development: Join a supportive environment that aims to support professional development opportunities through mentoring, structured training, paid professional memberships, and paid CLE.
- Generous PTO: First-year employees are eligible for 12 vacation days, 6 personal days, 4 floating holidays, 11 paid holidays, and 15 sick days, as well as eligibility for paid parental leave.
- Retirement: 401(k) provided with up to 8% employer contributions after 1 year of employment.
- Insurance: Medical benefits with generous employer contribution to premiums, and access to a wide-range of additional benefits like vision, dental, long- and short-term disability, supplemental term life insurance, and other voluntary insurance offerings.
- Loan Forgiveness: PSLF-eligible employment and additional NYS loan forgiveness opportunities.
- Additional Benefits: Life insurance, FSA, parking/transit reimbursement, monthly stipend for mobile phones, and more!
What You'll Do!
As a key leader within the Civil Legal Services Unit, you will work closely with the Chief Attorney and executive leadership to advance the Bureau's mission and ensure the delivery of high-quality, client-centered legal services.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and oversight for the delivery of high-quality, client-centered legal services, ensuring excellence in advocacy and representation.
- Supervise case intake, assignment, and litigation strategy while maintaining a selective caseload and advising clients on legal matters.
- Mentor, train, and develop attorneys, interns, and legal staff through ongoing supervision, coaching, and development and administration of structured training programs.
- Serve as a legal and strategic resource, providing guidance on complex case issues, emerging legal developments, and best practices.
- Collaborate with attorneys, social workers, courts, and community partners to advance client outcomes and promote access to justice.
- Support program growth and organizational initiatives through staff training, performance management, grant activities, and operational planning.
- Represent the organization in relationships with courts, stakeholders, and community partners, helping to strengthen the impact of the program and its mission.
Qualifications:
- Admission to practice law in New York and good standing with the New York State Bar.
- Five years of experience in family law and New York Family Court practice, or a combination of training, education, and experience that is the equivalent of the above.
- Knowledge of statutory laws related to family court practice in New York State, including NYS Family Court Act, Social Services Law, Domestic Relations Law, Civil Practice Law and Rules, and Judiciary Law; trial and appellate court procedures; legal research methods; rules of evidence; standard legal office practice and procedures; and ethical and professional rules of conduct.
- Ability to supervise, mentor, and develop attorneys.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are required.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and time management abilities.
- Collaborative leadership style and commitment to client-centered advocacy.
- Dedication to public interest law and expanding access to justice.
- Possession of a valid NYS driver’s license and access to a registered, insured vehicle available for use during working hours, or demonstrated capacity to meet this requirement.
If you're ready to lead with purpose, inspire a team of advocates, and make a difference every day, we encourage you to apply today by sending your cover letter, resume, and writing sample to resume@labbuffalo.org or mail them to:
Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
Attention: Human Resources
290 Main Street, Suite 400
Buffalo, NY 14202
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Only applicants whose backgrounds align with the qualifications outlined above will be contacted.
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 legally protected status.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any aspect of the application and selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office at resume@labbuffalo.org or 716-853-9555, ext. 183 or 288.
Join us in advancing justice for families and building stronger communities—one client, one case, and one outcome at a time.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Admission to practice law in New York and good standing with the New York State Bar.
- Five years of experience in family law and New York Family Court practice, or a combination of training, education, and experience that is the equivalent of the above.
- Knowledge of statutory laws related to family court practice in New York State, including NYS Family Court Act, Social Services Law, Domestic Relations Law, Civil Practice Law and Rules, and Judiciary Law; trial and appellate court procedures; legal research methods; rules of evidence; standard legal office practice and procedures; and ethical and professional rules of conduct.
- Ability to supervise, mentor, and develop attorneys.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are required.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and time management abilities.
- Collaborative leadership style and commitment to client-centered advocacy.
- Dedication to public interest law and expanding access to justice.
- Possession of a valid NYS driver’s license and access to a registered, insured vehicle available for use during working hours, or demonstrated capacity to meet this requirement.
If you're ready to lead with purpose, inspire a team of advocates, and make a difference every day, we encourage you to apply today by sending your cover letter, resume, and writing sample to resume@labbuffalo.org or mail them to:
Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
Attention: Human Resources
290 Main Street, Suite 400
Buffalo, NY 14202
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Only applicants whose backgrounds align with the qualifications outlined above will be contacted.
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 legally protected status.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any aspect of the application and selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office at resume@labbuffalo.org or 716-853-9555, ext. 183 or 288.
Join us in advancing justice for families and building stronger communities—one client, one case, and one outcome at a time.
