Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
Law Clerk Opportunities - Albany
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Albany, New York, United States
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK
Law Clerk Opportunities Spring 2026
The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) provides effective, free civil legal services and education to and advocacy for people with low income or other barriers to accessing the legal system. We secure basic needs, protect and preserve legal rights, provide equal access to justice, and seek fairness and dignity for all our clients. We have offices in Albany, Amsterdam, Canton, Gloversville, Plattsburgh, and Saratoga Springs to serve low and moderate‑income residents of Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington Counties and the St. Regis Reservation.
Hiring Criteria Commitment to providing legal services to the poor. Excellent research and writing skills. Ability to work well under stress and time pressure. Prior relevant experience in legal services to the poor, especially law school clinical experience, and the ability to speak Spanish is a plus.
Law clerks will be paid $25 per hour. All work performed with Legal Aid will count toward the 50‑hour pro bono requirement for admission to the New York State Bar. Law clerks must be willing to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week. Our clerkships are available remotely or in person and also offer hybrid work options.
Application Deadline Spring clerkships – accepting applications until filled. Applications submitted after the posting expires will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
Documents Required Cover Letter (state program(s) and LASNNY office(s) of interest), Resume, and Writing Sample are required.
Equal Employment Opportunity LASNNY is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace and providing Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action to all applicants. We strongly encourage applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ individuals, protected veterans, recipients of public assistance, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Program Descriptions Disability Advocacy Program – All Offices
DAP advocates represent clients with physical and mental impairments, including but not limited to intellectual limitations, anxiety, depression, HIV, PTSD, ADHD, musculoskeletal impairments, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. DAP law clerks research and write for federal court cases, administrative appeals, and hearings; call clients; observe meetings; and assist attorneys in preparation.
Regional Intake – All Offices
Regional Intake attorneys provide legal advice, conduct client engagements, gather case information, conduct consultations, and assess client needs. Clerk responsibilities include client interviewing, legal research and writing, document review and analysis, investigation, drafting legal documents and correspondence.
Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) – Albany Office
The PAI department offers pro‑bono legal services including bankruptcy, consumer law, trusts & estates, advance directives, matrimonial law, unemployment law, housing law, and name changes. Law clerks assist with client interviews, drafting pleadings in divorce and consumer debt cases, operating divorce clinics, the Attorney for the Day program in housing court, legal research, and client advice. Clerks also work with volunteer attorneys to assist clients.
Low‑Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) – Albany Office
The LITC provides free tax advice and representation to low‑income New Yorkers. Law clerks assist staff attorneys with preparing forms, interviewing clients, researching tax law, preparing tax returns, collecting financial information, and handling federal tax issues such as innocent spouse relief, improper refund, audits, earned‑income credit appeals, deficiency notices, liens, levies, alternative collection methods, tax debt settlement, identity theft, and state tax disputes. Most clients have incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.
Worker Protection Program – Albany Office
The Worker Protection Program provides free legal assistance for low‑income workers. Clerks research anti‑discrimination and labor laws, observe and participate in client interviews and case meetings, draft memoranda of law, and attend administrative conferences, investigations, and hearings. Interest in employment law is a plus but not required.
Economic Justice – Albany Office
The Economic Justice staff attorneys help low‑income residents secure housing and essential services such as SNAP, Medicaid, childcare assistance, unemployment benefits, and SSI. Clerks conduct research and writing for fair hearings, administrative appeals, and possibly Article 78 appeals, call clients, observe meetings, assist attorneys with evidence preparation, and support hearing/trial preparation.
Housing – Albany Office
Housing attorneys represent low‑income clients facing eviction, housing voucher denial, and emergency assistance denial. Clerks draft pleadings and correspondence, conduct client interviews, investigate cases, perform research and legal assessment, prepare for trial and hearings, and accompany attorneys to court and administrative hearings.
Salary: $25 per hour
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Hiring Criteria Commitment to providing legal services to the poor. Excellent research and writing skills. Ability to work well under stress and time pressure. Prior relevant experience in legal services to the poor, especially law school clinical experience, and the ability to speak Spanish is a plus.
Law clerks will be paid $25 per hour. All work performed with Legal Aid will count toward the 50‑hour pro bono requirement for admission to the New York State Bar. Law clerks must be willing to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week. Our clerkships are available remotely or in person and also offer hybrid work options.
Application Deadline Spring clerkships – accepting applications until filled. Applications submitted after the posting expires will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
Documents Required Cover Letter (state program(s) and LASNNY office(s) of interest), Resume, and Writing Sample are required.
Equal Employment Opportunity LASNNY is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace and providing Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action to all applicants. We strongly encourage applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ individuals, protected veterans, recipients of public assistance, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Program Descriptions Disability Advocacy Program – All Offices
DAP advocates represent clients with physical and mental impairments, including but not limited to intellectual limitations, anxiety, depression, HIV, PTSD, ADHD, musculoskeletal impairments, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. DAP law clerks research and write for federal court cases, administrative appeals, and hearings; call clients; observe meetings; and assist attorneys in preparation.
Regional Intake – All Offices
Regional Intake attorneys provide legal advice, conduct client engagements, gather case information, conduct consultations, and assess client needs. Clerk responsibilities include client interviewing, legal research and writing, document review and analysis, investigation, drafting legal documents and correspondence.
Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) – Albany Office
The PAI department offers pro‑bono legal services including bankruptcy, consumer law, trusts & estates, advance directives, matrimonial law, unemployment law, housing law, and name changes. Law clerks assist with client interviews, drafting pleadings in divorce and consumer debt cases, operating divorce clinics, the Attorney for the Day program in housing court, legal research, and client advice. Clerks also work with volunteer attorneys to assist clients.
Low‑Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) – Albany Office
The LITC provides free tax advice and representation to low‑income New Yorkers. Law clerks assist staff attorneys with preparing forms, interviewing clients, researching tax law, preparing tax returns, collecting financial information, and handling federal tax issues such as innocent spouse relief, improper refund, audits, earned‑income credit appeals, deficiency notices, liens, levies, alternative collection methods, tax debt settlement, identity theft, and state tax disputes. Most clients have incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.
Worker Protection Program – Albany Office
The Worker Protection Program provides free legal assistance for low‑income workers. Clerks research anti‑discrimination and labor laws, observe and participate in client interviews and case meetings, draft memoranda of law, and attend administrative conferences, investigations, and hearings. Interest in employment law is a plus but not required.
Economic Justice – Albany Office
The Economic Justice staff attorneys help low‑income residents secure housing and essential services such as SNAP, Medicaid, childcare assistance, unemployment benefits, and SSI. Clerks conduct research and writing for fair hearings, administrative appeals, and possibly Article 78 appeals, call clients, observe meetings, assist attorneys with evidence preparation, and support hearing/trial preparation.
Housing – Albany Office
Housing attorneys represent low‑income clients facing eviction, housing voucher denial, and emergency assistance denial. Clerks draft pleadings and correspondence, conduct client interviews, investigate cases, perform research and legal assessment, prepare for trial and hearings, and accompany attorneys to court and administrative hearings.
Salary: $25 per hour
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