Open Positions

‍ ‍

Staff Attorney – Eviction & Foreclosure Defense

Location: Buffalo, NY (Hybrid) | Full-Time – 35 Hours

Salary Range: $71,500 - $91,100 Annually

‍Make an Impact Where It Matters Most

The Western New York Law Center (WNYLC) is seeking a passionate Staff Attorney to join our Eviction and Foreclosure Defense team. This position offers a meaningful opportunity to represent tenants facing housing instability and homeowners at risk of losing their homes while helping advance housing justice across Western New York.

‍You will provide direct legal representation, engage in community-based advocacy, and contribute to broader efforts that address the systemic causes of poverty, discrimination, and housing insecurity.

‍Why Join WNYLC

‍ ‍

· Mission-Driven Work: Be part of a team committed to protecting housing stability through direct representation, policy advocacy, community lawyering, and systemic reform efforts.

‍ ‍

· Collaborative & Supportive Environment: Work alongside experienced attorneys and advocates in a team-based structure that prioritizes mentorship, professional growth, and shared problem-solving.

‍ ‍

· Community-Focused Advocacy: Participate in community clinics, outreach initiatives, and partnerships with local organizations to expand access to legal services and strengthen community resources.

‍ ‍

· Sustainable Work Culture: We are committed to supporting long-term public interest careers through flexible work arrangements, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive workplace culture.

‍ ‍

The Impact You'll Make

As a Staff Attorney, you will:

• Advocate & Litigate: Represent tenants facing eviction and homeowners facing foreclosure through advice, negotiation, motion practice, discovery, and litigation.

• Advance Systemic Change: Participate in legislative and administrative advocacy efforts that promote housing stability and economic justice.

• Engage the Community: Conduct outreach and participate in community clinics that connect individuals and families with legal resources.

• Collaborate Across Teams: Work closely with colleagues across practice areas to provide holistic support for clients legal needs.

• Build Partnerships: Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, service providers, and advocacy groups throughout Western New York.

‍ ‍

What You Bring

Required ‍

• Admission to the New York State Bar, or successful completion of the New York State Bar Examination with admission pending.

• Commitment to serving low-income and underserved communities.

• Dedication to public interest work and advancing access to justice.

Preferred

• Experience or interest in landlord-tenant law, foreclosure defense, housing law, or civil legal services.

• Strong legal writing, research, litigation, and advocacy skills.

• Ability to manage a fast-paced caseload while maintaining attention to detail.

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, community partners, and clients.

• Proficiency with standard office and legal technology platforms.

• Flexibility to occasionally work evening hours as needed.

About WNYLC

Founded in 1996, WNYLC has grown into a leader in both holistic civil legal services and policy advocacy for underserved Western New Yorkers. Our work spans housing, consumer finance, income maintenance, student rights, and small business support.

The Eviction and Foreclosure Defense program provides critical legal representation to tenants facing eviction and homeowners confronting foreclosure. In addition to direct representation, the program engages in community education, coalition-building, and advocacy efforts designed to address the root causes of housing instability and poverty.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Health & Wellness

·         Health, dental, and vision insurance

·         Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

·         Paid life insurance

Paid Time Off

·         3 weeks of vacation

·         12 paid holidays annually

·         Paid week off between Christmas and New Year’s

·         Sick and personal leave

Retirement & Financial Benefits

·         Pension plan

·         Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer

·         Paid professional memberships

Workplace Flexibility

·         Hybrid schedule with remote work up to two days per week following the probationary period

·         Travel reimbursement for court appearances and other work responsibilities

How to Apply ‍

Please submit:

• Resume

• Cover letter

• Writing sample (maximum 10 pages)

• Three professional references

• Unofficial law school transcript (if admitted to practice less than two years)

Send application materials to lhaas@wnylc.net. No phone calls, please.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WNYLC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

‍ ‍

The Western New York Law Center, Inc. (WNYLC) has an immediate opening a Full-Time Staff Attorney for our Consumer Debt department. The position will involve consumer debt litigation, participation in community clinics, handling other litigation along with engaging community members in legal and non-legal strategies, and engaging in legislative and administrative advocacy on behalf of those impacted by poverty and discrimination.

The ideal candidate will have a legal services background with a dedication to public interest work. Founded in 1996 as a boutique nonprofit impact litigation law firm and now providing a range of direct range of direct services to low-income individuals and small businesses, WNYLC has been committed throughout its existence to advancing the rights of low-income and underserved Western New Yorkers and ensuring that they receive the full range of civil legal services, including nontraditional legal services such as impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community litigation. WNYLC has substantive units that provide direct services focused on housing, consumer finance, students’ rights, and small business support. Our consumer law program administers the Buffalo branch of CLARO, a consumer debt clinic that originated in New York City in response to the overwhelming need for legal assistance to individuals being sued for subprime automobile loans, usurious credit agreements, student loans, and other consumer issues.

Responsibilities:

Staff Attorneys engage in comprehensive legal representation, including advice, negotiation, litigation, and administrative and legislative advocacy, which includes representing individuals and engaging in broad-based impact advocacy. Staff Attorneys collaborate in teams led by an experienced supervisor. Staff Attorneys conduct community outreach and work to build partnerships with local community organizations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Admitted to practice in NYS or passed the NY bar and awaiting admission, required.

• Experience with consumer debt, required.

• High level of initiative and self-motivation.

• Strong writing, interpersonal, organizational and presentation skills.

• Proficient in use of computer software.

• Proven ability to relate well with people who are low-income or of diverse nationalities and cultures.

• Excellent people skills.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, with a high caseload.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and community partners.

• Engage in outreach for the program.

• Potential travel, required.

• Required to work evening hours for weekly clinics.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary Range is $71,500-$91,100. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. WNYLC offers a competitive salary and generous benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 3 weeks of vacation, 12 paid holidays plus paid week off between Christmas and New Year’s, sick and personal leave, eligibility for public student loan forgiveness, paid life insurance, pension plan, Flexible Spending Account, and paid memberships.

How To Apply:

Please send resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript (if admitted less than two years), writing sample (no longer than 10 pages), and the names of three references to Lauren Haas, Operations Manager, at lhaas@wnylc.net. No phone calls please. WNYLC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Employer recruits without regard to sex, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and any such candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

WNYLC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Employer recruits without regard to sex, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and any such candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time 

Pay: $71,500 - $ 91,100 per year 

Benefits: 

• 403B 

• 403B matching 

• Dental Insurance 

• Employee assistance program 

• Flexible schedule 

• Flexible spending account 

• Health insurance 

• Health savings account 

• Life insurance 

• Loan forgiveness 

• Paid time off 

• Parental leave 

• Retirement plan 

• Vision insurance 

Ability to Commute: 

• Buffalo, NY 14202 (Required) 

Ability to Relocate 

• Buffalo, NY 14202: Relocate before starting work (Required) 

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Buffalo, NY 14202 

The Western New York Law Center, Inc. (WNYLC) is seeking an experienced lawyer to work as a Staff Attorney within our Small Business Legal Clinic (SBLC). The Attorney will provide legal services to small business owners and entrepreneurs at all stages of their business’ lifespan on a broad range of legal issues and will assist with other case work as assigned. The position will also involve participation in community clinics, engaging community members in legal and non-legal strategies, and involvement in legislative and administrative advocacy on behalf of those affected by poverty and discrimination.   

The ideal candidate will have a legal services background with a dedication to public interest work. Founded in 1996 as a boutique nonprofit impact litigation law firm and now providing a range of direct range of direct services to low-income individuals and small businesses, WNYLC has been committed throughout its existence to advancing the rights of low-income and underserved Western New Yorkers and ensuring that they receive the full range of civil legal services, including nontraditional legal services such as impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community litigation. WNYLC has substantive units that provide direct services focused on housing, consumer finance, students’ rights, and small business support. The SBLC, which became part of the Law Center in January 2017, provides free legal assistance to low-income entrepreneurs and small businesses across WNY. The SLBC is the only program of its kind in WNY and has become an integral part of our local small business ecosystem. 

Responsibilities:

Staff Attorneys will provide legal representation to small business owners and entrepreneurs at all stages of their business on a broad range of legal issues including, but not limited to, business formation, contracts, compliance, employees, taxes, permits/licenses/zoning, buying/selling/closing a business, and/or M/WBE certification. Staff Attorneys will attend weekly drop-in clinics at various locations around WNY and will work with Managing Attorney to serve small business clients, collaborate with other small business community groups, and engage in outreach for the program. Staff Attorneys will provide legal education and/or training on business law topics in the community. These events are held during evening hours or on weekends. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Admission to practice in NYS, required. 

• Experience with business law, preferred. 

• Minimum 1-year legal experience, preferred. 

• High level of initiative and self-motivation. 

• Strong writing, interpersonal, organizational and presentation skills. 

• Proficient in use of computer software. 

• Proven ability to relate well with people who are low-income or of diverse nationalities and cultures. 

• Excellent people skills. 

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, with a high caseload. 

• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and community partners. 

• Travel, required. 

• Engage in outreach events for the small business community. 

• Present CLEs and/or business law training for small business owners within the community. 

• Keep complete and accurate records to be submitted for fee for service work. 

• Required to work evening hours for clinics and may need to work evening and/or weekend hours for clinics, community partner events and/or business law presentations, as needed. 

Salary and Benefits:

Salary Range is $71,500-$91,100. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.  WNYLC offers a competitive salary and generous benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 3 weeks of vacation, 12 paid holidays plus paid week off between Christmas and New Year’s, sick and personal leave, eligibility for public student loan forgiveness, paid life insurance, pension plan, Flexible Spending Account, and paid memberships. 

To Apply:

Please send resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript (if admitted less than two years), writing sample (no longer than 10 pages), and the names of three professional references to Lauren Haas, Operations Manager, at lhaas@wnylc.net. No phone calls please.  

WNYLC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Employer recruits without regard to sex, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and any such candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time 

Pay: $71,500-$91,100 per year 

Benefits: 

• 403B 

• 403B matching 

• Dental Insurance 

• Employee assistance program 

• Flexible schedule 

• Flexible spending account 

• Health insurance 

• Health savings account 

• Life insurance 

• Loan forgiveness 

• Paid time off 

• Parental leave 

• Retirement plan 

• Vision insurance 

Ability to Commute: 

• Buffalo, NY 14202 (Required) 

Ability to Relocate 

• Buffalo, NY 14202: Relocate before starting work (Required) 

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Buffalo, NY 14202