Managing Attorney

• Position Title: Managing Attorney
• Practice Area/Department: Syracuse Office
• Office Location(s): Syracuse, NY
• Hours: 35 hours per week
• Salary Range: $106,294.00 - $129,383.00+ (DOE)
• Supervisor: Deputy Director
• Posting Date: November 6, 2026
• Application Deadline: Until position is filled

About LASMNY

For nearly 75 years, the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York (LASMNY) has provided free civil legal assistance to people who cannot afford an attorney. Our mission is to expand access to the essentials of life through high-quality, compassionate legal advocacy and education.

Because legal problems rarely occur in isolation, we take a holistic approach that addresses the interconnected challenges affecting housing, income, benefits, health, and family stability. By working across practice areas and partnering with community organizations, we help clients achieve lasting solutions that extend beyond a single legal matter.

Through offices in Utica, Syracuse, Binghamton, Oswego, Oneonta, and Watertown, LASMNY provides civil legal assistance to residents of thirteen counties: Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and Otsego. Our Agricultural Worker Project extends that reach statewide, providing legal services to farmworkers across New York.

Job Summary

LASMNY is seeking an experienced attorney and proven leader to serve as Managing Attorney of our Syracuse office. This is an opportunity to shape the direction of a busy, multi-practice office in downtown Syracuse, build and mentor a talented team, and expand access to justice for low-income residents of Central New York.

The Managing Attorney leads the legal work and day-to-day administration of the Syracuse office, supervising attorneys and advocates who handle housing, consumer debt, disability advocacy, family law, and other civil legal matters. Reporting to a Deputy Director, the Managing Attorney works closely with LASMNY’s leadership team to set program priorities, develop policies and practice standards, and ensure compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations, grant requirements, and LASMNY policies.

The Syracuse office’s range of practice areas makes it well suited to holistic representation. The Managing Attorney will build a practice in which clients’ related legal needs are identified and addressed, staff collaborate across practice areas and with other LASMNY offices, and clients are connected with community resources that support long-term stability for clients.

The role combines hands-on legal practice with supervision, mentoring, and office leadership. It is well suited to an attorney who enjoys developing other lawyers, solving operational problems, and building strong relationships with courts, community partners, and funders.

Essential Job Duties

• Oversee the Syracuse office’s daily operations and the quality of its legal work.
• Review and assign new cases, balance caseloads, and supervise attorneys and advocates through regular case meetings and case reviews.
• Lead a holistic, client-centered approach to service delivery by ensuring staff screen for related legal issues, coordinate representation across practice areas and LASMNY offices, and make effective referrals to social service and community partners.
• Train and mentor staff, with particular attention to developing newer attorneys’ litigation, advocacy, and client service skills.
• Conduct employee work performance evaluations and address work performance concerns in a timely and effective manner.
• Work with the leadership team on policies and practice standards, and ensure the office complies with LSC regulations, grant requirements, and LASMNY policies.
• Monitor case data and grant deliverables, prepare timely reports, and keep accurate time and case records in the case management system.
• Carry a caseload, appear in court and administrative proceedings, and serve as a resource to staff on complex matters.
• Identify systemic issues affecting clients and develop litigation and advocacy strategies to address them.
• Build strong relationships with courts, bar associations, community partners, funders, and pro bono attorneys, and lead outreach and community education.
• Serve as a check signatory and help safeguard the fiscal integrity of LASMNY funds.
• Stay current on legal developments and complete Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements.

Professional Standards

• Demonstrate the highest level of professionalism when handling confidential and sensitive client and personnel information.
• Communicate effectively and courteously with clients, staff, attorneys, court personnel, agency staff, and community partners.
• Model a respectful, collaborative, and accountable workplace for office staff.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance in accordance with organizational policies.
• Adapt to new technologies and systems, including legal research tools and case management software.
• Comply with all Legal Services Corporation regulations, LASMNY policies and procedures, and grant-based reporting requirements.
• Perform additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Executive Director based on agency needs.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master of Laws (LL.M.) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in New York State. Attorneys admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission on motion are encouraged to apply.
• At least five years of experience practicing law.
• Litigation experience, including drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs and handling hearings, depositions, and trials.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and training less-experienced attorneys.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income communities and advancing equal access to justice.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, case management systems, and computerized legal research.
• Ability to travel as needed, including to courts, community outreach sites, and other LASMNY offices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in civil legal services or other public interest practice.
• Experience supervising attorneys engaged in litigation, including conducting performance evaluations.
• Experience in housing, consumer, public benefits, or other poverty law practice areas.
• Experience delivering holistic or interdisciplinary legal services, including collaboration with social workers, case managers, or other non-legal service providers.
• Familiarity with LSC regulations and grant compliance.
• Experience managing a unionized workforce, including working within a collective bargaining agreement.
• Proficiency in languages other than English.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, 35-hour-per-week, non-union management position. Salary starts at $106,294.00 for attorneys with five years of experience and rises to $129,383.00 for attorneys with fifteen years of experience. Placement is based on years of relevant experience. LASMNY anticipates increasing its pay scale in early 2027.

LASMNY offers a generous benefits package, and most benefits begin on the date of hire. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; basic and voluntary life insurance; a Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts; employer retirement contributions; paid vacation, sick, personal, parental, and bereavement leave; fourteen paid holidays; paid CLE registration, attorney registration fees, and local and New York State bar dues; professional development and training opportunities; mileage reimbursement and parking; relocation assistance; and an Employee Assistance Program. LASMNY is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Application Process

Qualified candidates are invited to apply through our online application system with a cover letter, resume, and three professional references. Click on the following link to apply: https://workforcenow.adp.com/.

Equal Opportunity Employer

LASMNY is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

LASMNY provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process. Please contact Human Resources to request assistance.

Visit us at www.lasmny.org