Buffalo, Inc.
Managing Attorney – Attorneys for Children Unit
Buffalo, Inc., Buffalo, New York, United States, 14266
Managing Attorney – Attorneys for Children Unit
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo is seeking a Managing Attorney for our Attorneys for Children Unit. Under the direction of the Chief Attorney, the Managing Attorney oversees legal, administrative, and supervisory functions within the Attorneys for Children Unit. This role is responsible for managing the daily unit operations, including but not limited to, coaching and mentoring of staff attorneys, staffing and case coverage, and compliance with court requirements, ensuring effective service delivery across the applicable service area. The Managing Attorney will supervise all aspects of casework within their assigned practice area, primarily Article 10 cases, ensuring compliance with legal standards, quality representation, and alignment with Bureau objectives.
The Attorneys for Children Unit represents children in a broad variety of child welfare and juvenile justice matters, ensuring them a voice in proceedings that affect their lives and life outcomes. The scope of matters may include juvenile delinquency, neglect and abuse, persons in need of supervision, permanency hearings, termination of parental rights, voluntary placements, surrenders, child custody, and other related proceedings. The AFC Unit practice is conducted primarily in Erie County Family Court but may also require appearances in related matters in other judicial or administrative forums, as directed by supervising attorneys.
Why Join Us?
Competitive Pay:
Earn a salary ranging from $101,000 to $130,000, commensurate with your experience.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
Generous holiday, vacation, personal, and sick time.
Paid parenthood leave plan
Long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, supplemental term life insurance, and other voluntary insurance offerings
Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, and a flexible spending account.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness:
Qualifying employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.
Key Responsibilities:
Supports the Chief Attorney in managing daily operations, including developing and implementing policies to ensure unit efficiency, ethical case handling, and high-quality client representation. Assists in monitoring staff attorney client interactions.
Reviews incoming cases, assesses client eligibility and funding, determines case acceptance, and assigns cases to attorneys based on type and workload.
Maintains a caseload, routinely provides counsel and advice to clients that Bureau is unable to directly represent.
Fosters collaborative relationships with staff attorneys, social work staff, and support personnel; actively contributes to staff meetings by sharing updates, communicating changes, and addressing concerns to enhance team effectiveness.
Meets with each Staff Attorney weekly or bi-weekly to discuss case issues and strategies and to answer procedural, substantive, or opinion questions. Promotes open communication and teamwork by maintaining an accessible and supportive presence, encouraging daily collaboration among staff. Provides feedback.
Assists in monitoring staff attorney performance. Collaborates with the Chief Attorney to address concerns and conducts annual performance reviews for supervised attorneys.
When requested, assists in employee grievances in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Maintains current and comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and serves as a legal resource to unit staff.
Participates in and facilitates regular unit and management meetings to discuss operations, provide staff training, and address timely issues.
Assists the Deputy Executive Director and Chief Attorney with preparation of grants and funding applications. Assists with project development, implementation, and performance monitoring to ensure alignment with expectations.
Mentors new attorneys, interns, law clerks and volunteers through case shadowing, open dialogue, strategic case discussions, and oversight of legal research and casework.
Designs and delivers training sessions on case management, legal procedures, client relations, internal workflows, and specialized legal topics to enhance staff knowledge and performance.
Participates regularly in Bureau committees.
Responds to client concerns and complaints. Engages with walk‑ins and callers to provide legal information and assistance when appropriate.
Routinely communicates with representatives of the Courts regarding the operations of the unit work including referrals and court‑referred applications.
Facilitates marketing through sharing events and announcements on LinkedIn, assisting in design of promotional fliers for events and programs and dissemination of fliers, verbally informing clients, courts, community partners, and other legal professionals of our events and programs.
Participates in community activities relevant to the work of the unit. Establishes and maintains relationships with courts, agencies, Bar Association committees, schools (including law schools, undergraduate schools, and high schools) and other community groups relevant to the work of the unit.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Attorney‑Attorneys for Children Unit.
Employment Standards:
Admitted to practice and in good standing with the New York State Bar; and
A minimum of two years of experience as an attorney in the relevant legal practice areas or a combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the above employment standard and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
Five or more years of experience, or equivalent combination of training, education, and experience preferred.
Management experience is preferred.Reliable transportation and license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State or demonstrated capacity to meet the transportation needs of the position.
Knowledge of:
New York State Family Court Act and relevant decisional authority; Civil Practice Law and Procedure; the New York State Domestic Relations Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and applicable sections of Educational Law; Local Rules and Appellate Division, Fourth Department and Court of Appeals rules and guidelines; legal research methods; rules of evidence; standard legal office practice and procedures; ethical and professional rules of conduct; trial and court procedures; negotiating techniques; principles of administration and supervision.
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from minorities, females, disabled individuals, veterans, and individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
How to Apply:
Please send your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and at least three (3) references 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
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Attorneys for Children Unit represents children in a broad variety of child welfare and juvenile justice matters, ensuring them a voice in proceedings that affect their lives and life outcomes. The scope of matters may include juvenile delinquency, neglect and abuse, persons in need of supervision, permanency hearings, termination of parental rights, voluntary placements, surrenders, child custody, and other related proceedings. The AFC Unit practice is conducted primarily in Erie County Family Court but may also require appearances in related matters in other judicial or administrative forums, as directed by supervising attorneys.
Why Join Us?
Competitive Pay:
Earn a salary ranging from $101,000 to $130,000, commensurate with your experience.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
Generous holiday, vacation, personal, and sick time.
Paid parenthood leave plan
Long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, supplemental term life insurance, and other voluntary insurance offerings
Parking expense reimbursement plan, transit plan, and a flexible spending account.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness:
Qualifying employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Loan Forgiveness Program.
Key Responsibilities:
Supports the Chief Attorney in managing daily operations, including developing and implementing policies to ensure unit efficiency, ethical case handling, and high-quality client representation. Assists in monitoring staff attorney client interactions.
Reviews incoming cases, assesses client eligibility and funding, determines case acceptance, and assigns cases to attorneys based on type and workload.
Maintains a caseload, routinely provides counsel and advice to clients that Bureau is unable to directly represent.
Fosters collaborative relationships with staff attorneys, social work staff, and support personnel; actively contributes to staff meetings by sharing updates, communicating changes, and addressing concerns to enhance team effectiveness.
Meets with each Staff Attorney weekly or bi-weekly to discuss case issues and strategies and to answer procedural, substantive, or opinion questions. Promotes open communication and teamwork by maintaining an accessible and supportive presence, encouraging daily collaboration among staff. Provides feedback.
Assists in monitoring staff attorney performance. Collaborates with the Chief Attorney to address concerns and conducts annual performance reviews for supervised attorneys.
When requested, assists in employee grievances in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Maintains current and comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and serves as a legal resource to unit staff.
Participates in and facilitates regular unit and management meetings to discuss operations, provide staff training, and address timely issues.
Assists the Deputy Executive Director and Chief Attorney with preparation of grants and funding applications. Assists with project development, implementation, and performance monitoring to ensure alignment with expectations.
Mentors new attorneys, interns, law clerks and volunteers through case shadowing, open dialogue, strategic case discussions, and oversight of legal research and casework.
Designs and delivers training sessions on case management, legal procedures, client relations, internal workflows, and specialized legal topics to enhance staff knowledge and performance.
Participates regularly in Bureau committees.
Responds to client concerns and complaints. Engages with walk‑ins and callers to provide legal information and assistance when appropriate.
Routinely communicates with representatives of the Courts regarding the operations of the unit work including referrals and court‑referred applications.
Facilitates marketing through sharing events and announcements on LinkedIn, assisting in design of promotional fliers for events and programs and dissemination of fliers, verbally informing clients, courts, community partners, and other legal professionals of our events and programs.
Participates in community activities relevant to the work of the unit. Establishes and maintains relationships with courts, agencies, Bar Association committees, schools (including law schools, undergraduate schools, and high schools) and other community groups relevant to the work of the unit.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Attorney‑Attorneys for Children Unit.
Employment Standards:
Admitted to practice and in good standing with the New York State Bar; and
A minimum of two years of experience as an attorney in the relevant legal practice areas or a combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the above employment standard and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
Five or more years of experience, or equivalent combination of training, education, and experience preferred.
Management experience is preferred.Reliable transportation and license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State or demonstrated capacity to meet the transportation needs of the position.
Knowledge of:
New York State Family Court Act and relevant decisional authority; Civil Practice Law and Procedure; the New York State Domestic Relations Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and applicable sections of Educational Law; Local Rules and Appellate Division, Fourth Department and Court of Appeals rules and guidelines; legal research methods; rules of evidence; standard legal office practice and procedures; ethical and professional rules of conduct; trial and court procedures; negotiating techniques; principles of administration and supervision.
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from minorities, females, disabled individuals, veterans, and individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
How to Apply:
Please send your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and at least three (3) references 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
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
#J-18808-Ljbffr