Vacancy expired!
The Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) is seeking
a full-time staff attorney for our general civil legal services program. This
attorney will assist in developing cases to refer to pro bono attorneys
primarily in the following substantive areas: bankruptcy, end of life planning,
estates, divorce, guardianship, and tort defense. The attorney will also carry
a caseload comprised of cases from a variety of civil practice areas which
may include, but is not limited to: divorce, end of life planning, family law,
consumer debt, property tax foreclosure, and unemployment insurance benefits.
VLP is a mixed model civil legal services program that coordinates services by pro bono attorneys and
provides direct representation by our staff. The Buffalo office handles a wide variety of civil legal
services, with a focus on involving pro bono lawyers in the delivery of our services to clients. We have
two offices, one in Buffalo, NY and the other in Batavia, NY.
This position will work out of our Buffalo, NY office with the ability to work a hybrid remote/in-office
schedule after the successful completion of the 3-month probationary period. Office culture values
work/life balance with reasonable working hours and discourages weekend work. Generous PTO and
benefits. Buffalo, NY has a very reasonable cost of living and was rated 17th for Best Affordable places
to live by US News and World Report 2021-2022.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Conduct orientation and intake for clients seeking pro bono attorney assistance
Prepare cases for referral and work with Program Paralegals and Pro Bono Program
Administrator to refer cases to pro bono attorneys and provide follow up on cases as needed
Provide counsel and advice to clients and handle full representation cases and/or portions of
VLP cases with a particular emphasis on handling cases that are difficult to refer to volunteers
or are returned partially completed by volunteers
Compile data for grant reporting
Participate in outreach events educating the community on VLP’s services
Provide training and mentorship to Volunteer Attorneys
May require some local travel
Other tasks may be assigned
Requirements/Skills - Required:
Must be an attorney admitted to practice in New York and be in good standing
1-4 years of experience in civil matters
Strong written and oral advocacy skills
A willingness to work independently while also taking direction and operating as part of a team
The ability to juggle many tasks efficiently
The means and willingness to travel locally (a driver’s license and regular access to a vehicle is
required)
Comfortable with public speaking
Requirements/Skills – Preferred:
2 or more years of experience
Experience in 1-2 substantive areas of law (ideally bankruptcy and/or estates)
Admitted to Federal/Bankruptcy Court
TO APPLY: Please send a resume and a cover letter clearly explaining your interest and qualifications.
Include contact information for 3 references and send your materials to: Sara Stoessel, Deputy
Supervising Attorney, ECBA Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. at sstoessel@ecbavlp.com. We will be
accepting applications until the position is filled.
BENEFITS: Salary depends upon experience. VLP provides excellent benefits including fully paid
health insurance, long term disability insurance, life insurance, a Simple Employee Pension Plan, and
generous leave time. Dental insurance, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and 403b plans are also available
through employee contributions. The work atmosphere is congenial, respectful, and flexible.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required unless the individual qualifies for a reasonable
accommodation as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, the New York State Human Rights Law and/or guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission. VLP may grant requests for reasonable accommodations to this requirement on the basis
of disability or sincerely held religious beliefs.
