Description:

Position Description:
JustCause seeks diverse and dynamic applicants for a full-time attorney position at JustCause as an Equal Justice Works Fellow in the Financial Empowerment Project. This fellowship will begin in September 2026, and continue for a period of 2 years. Successful fellows may be offered continued full-time employment as a JustCause Staff Attorney at the conclusion of their fellowship.

Equal Justice Works is the nation's largest facilitator of opportunities in public interests law. The Equal Justice Works Financial Empowerment Project is a pilot initiative that embeds attorney Fellows with Financial Empowerment Centers in cities across the United States to protect and transfer generational wealth through both financial and legal guidance. An Equal Justice Works Fellowship is an opportunity to transform your passion for equal justice into a career. As an EJW fellow at JustCause , you will help close the racial wealth gap in the City of Rochester by providing free legal services that focus on estate planning, title clearing, and other asset preservation legal needs.

Organization Overview:
JustCause was first established in 1981 under the name “Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County, Inc. (VLSP)” to provide pro bono legal assistance to people who cannot afford an attorney when facing serious civil legal problems. Since its inception, the mission of the organization has been to improve the quality of life of individuals living in low-income households in Monroe County by providing pro bono attorneys to assist with serious civil matters affecting the essentials of life. JustCause is co-located at the Telesca Center for Justice in downtown Rochester, along with partner agencies, the Legal Aid Society of Rochester, Legal Assistance of Western New York, and Empire Justice Center. While the three other legal services organizations provide direct services to clients (utilizing primarily their own staff), JustCause's programs leverage a pro bono panel of more than 1,300 volunteers to provide pro bono legal services to those who need it most in our community.

JustCause services benefit over 20,000 people a year with a wide range of legal issues impacting their family's health, safety, and well-being. JustCause legal program areas include Immigration, Family Law, Housing, Wills, Bankruptcy, Consumer Law, and other civil (non-criminal) legal issues.

Attorney responsibilities include:

Providing direct legal services to clients in the areas of estate planning and asset preservation, including but not limited to resolving fines and fees, title clearing, and addressing heirs' property issues
Developing and conduct training and outreach initiatives for Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) clients, including workshops and clinics developed in partnerships with local FECs and community-based organizations
Participating in collaborative learning and professional development through active engagement with the Equal Justice Works Financial Empowerment Project cohort. This includes contributing to resource exchanges, attending mandatory webinars and conference calls, and participating in training events such as the Equal Justice Works Leadership Development Training
Providing support, training and mentorship to pro bono attorney volunteers. Assist withJustCause recruitment and recognition events, and participate in external CLE, bar, and other educational programs to increase visibility of the program to target client and volunteer audiences

Goal, Objectives, and Primary Activities
The primary goal of the project is to reduce barriers to wealth-building and preservation for low-income households by expanding access to critical civil legal services.

Key objectives include:
Increase access to estate planning services for underserved populations Resolve title issues that prevent homeowners from securing and maintaining ownership Increase awareness of legal services available to FEC clients through community-based education and outreach.

Primary activities will include:

Conducting client intake and legal consultations
Planning and conducting community-based legal clinics
Tracking referrals, outcomes and other data points in case management system
Delivering community legal education workshops focused on financial empowerment and asset protection
Developing and delivering tailored outreach efforts to community members and service providers to raise awareness of legal options available for legacy and asset preservation planning
Engaging in regular coordination and resource-sharing with FEC financial counselors and other key stakeholders
Attending Equal Justice Works trainings and conferences

Required Qualifications:

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school; licensed to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction (at the time of hire is preferred; or having taken the bar exam and waiting results)
Previous direct legal services experience, including law school clinics, and/or internships
Demonstrated commitment to social justice, with a desire to increase access to justice for individuals and communities experience house instability
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain an effective relationship with the courts, the private bar, bar associations, and community organizations
Ability to work independently and be self-directed
A general understanding of basic legal principles; and preferably, experience in estate planning
Ability to effectively, compassionately, and confidently interview clients from diverse backgrounds who may be in crisis or have endured various forms of trauma
Writing skills sufficient to draft clear and thorough legal memos and correspondence
Meticulous attention to detail necessary to document client interactions and maintain up-to- date files in the case management system
Consistent, timely, and accurate record-keeping and reporting of all work time
Ability to work cooperatively with fellow staff, supervisors, interns, and pro bono volunteers
A strong commitment to justice, equity, and community wellness. Demonstrated interest in serving diverse or low-income populations
Database and records/case management skills and ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to working in a client-focused and collegial environment
Commitment to continuous process improvement and comfort with change