Family Law Staff Attorney - Full Time

Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) is seeking a full-time Family Law Staff Attorney for our Buffalo, NY office. VLP is a mixed-model civil legal services program coordinating direct representation by pro bono attorneys and staff attorneys in Buffalo and Batavia, NY.

About the role

The Family Law Staff Attorney will handle a caseload of counsel-and-advice and full-representation family law and matrimonial cases, with a special focus on victims of crime, domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking. The position includes staffing Family Court Help Desks and other assigned duties. Hybrid remote/in-office work is available after a 90-day introductory period.

Responsibilities

• Provide full representation, brief service, and advice for clients on family law matters including divorce, custody, visitation, paternity, child support, adoption, family offense proceedings, and Article 17A guardianships.
• Represent and counsel clients with cases in IDV Court.
• Staff the Family Court Help Desks.
• Work collaboratively with paralegals and other staff.
• Prepare cases for referral to pro bono attorneys.
• Travel as required (valid NYS driver’s license and regular vehicle access needed).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Admitted to practice law in New York State.
• 3–5 years of experience in civil matters.
• Valid NYS driver’s license and regular access to a vehicle.

Skills

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong problem-solving and task-completion skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to multitask in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with electronic case management systems (Legal Server preferred) and Microsoft Office (Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel).

Benefits

• Employer-paid benefits: 90% employer-paid health insurance premiums, Health Reimbursement Arrangement, long-term disability, life/AD&D insurance, Employee Assistance Program, and 403b contributions after 24 months.
• Pre-tax employee contributions: vision, dental, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, transportation/parking account, 403b plan.
• Paid fees: notary application/renewal and attorney registration.
• Loan forgiveness eligibility: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and District Attorney and Indigent Legal Services Attorney Loan Forgiveness (DALF).
• Paid time off: 18 holidays (including December 24–January 1), 11 vacation days and 2 personal days in year one, 15 vacation days and 4 personal days in year two (capping at 23 days in year six), 10 sick days (5 frontloaded, 5 accrued), and 2 prorated Sunshine Days between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Flexible schedule with a focus on work/life balance; discourages weekend work and encourages use of paid time off.

Pay

Salary ranges from $72,570 to $77,512 based on years of relevant experience.