Closing Date: 9th January, 2026

Description:

Job classification: Full-time, Exempt
Reports to: Managing Attorney/Deputy Executive Director
Post date: December 22, 2025
Application deadline: January 9, 2026
Start date: February or March 2026

Salary range: $93,086-120,586

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 living in low-income households every year with a wide range of legal issues impacting their family's health, safety, and well-being. JustCause programs include Family Law, Tenant Defense, Wills, Veterans Outreach, Micro-Entrepreneurship, Immigration, Bankruptcy, pro se Help Centers at the state and federal courts (on-site at the Monroe County Hall of Justice and the Western District of New York federal courthouse), among others.

Job Summary:

The Staff Attorney will primarily work to develop and implement JustCause's new Trans Family Stabilization Program (the “Program”). The Program is being funded through the New York State Department of Health's AIDS Institute. Through the Program, the Staff Attorney will provide comprehensive, direct civil legal services for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) individuals and their chosen family members. The goal of the Program is to ensure that TGNCNB individuals receive the full spectrum of legal assistance they need to support their health, safety, and stability. By addressing civil legal issues that

intersect with critical social determinants of health, the Staff Attorney will work to meet legal needs that disproportionately impact TGNCNB individuals. Specifically, the Staff Attorney will focus on advance planning tools—such as health care proxies, living wills, and powers of attorney—that empower chosen family members to provide care and make decisions in moments of crisis or transition. For many TGNCNB individuals, biological family members are not affirming or involved. Advance directives empower chosen family members to make health care decisions, advocate for appropriate treatment, and access critical information, ensuring that supportive, chosen relationships are recognized in systems that often default to heteronormative family structures. The Staff Attorney will also conduct trainings for community partners and train and mentor pro bono attorneys to advise and represent TGNCNB clients primarily in preparation of estate planning documents.

The Staff Attorney must be both sensitive and open-minded to the needs of JustCause's client population, especially TGNCNB individuals. The Staff Attorney must be adept at training and supporting volunteer attorneys from the private bar. The position requires the ability to work independently and exercise sound and compassionate judgment in a fast-paced environment. It also requires the ability to serve a very diverse clientele that may be in crisis or has endured various forms of trauma. The Staff Attorney must also successfully collaborate with other legal services agencies, the private bar and community organizations. This position is responsible for recording time and case information accurately, producing reports, and evaluating information to determine compliance with agency and funder requirements for the JustCause program areas described below.

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of NY State civil procedure, elder law, estate planning, consumer law and familiarity with family law, landlord/tenant, and/or another area of law in which JustCause practices. If you are an experienced attorney who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of underserved individuals and families, we encourage you to apply regardless of your particular area of practice.

Responsibilities:

Accountable for leading JustCause's program serving TGNCNB individuals
Develop and oversee onsite legal services program(s) at health facilities and other accessible places in the community
Train and mentor attorneys to represent JustCause clients by organizing formal trainings such as CLEs, and providing one-on-one coaching and oversight of assigned cases
Support pro bono attorneys with all aspects of representation, including stepping in if needed to ensure competent client representation
Collaborate with other JustCause program unit leaders as needed to provide expertise to TGNCNB clients and volunteers in areas of family, housing, immigration, and consumer law.
Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate work of paralegals, law student interns, and other direct reports
Review and assess client matters. Accurately assess legal issues with ability to issue-spot for assignment to a volunteer or referral as appropriate
Provide advice and counsel to clients who will not receive full scope representation by an assigned pro bono attorney or partner agency
Maintain positive and effective collaborative relationships with partner agencies
Assist JustCause Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator with developing and implementing outreach strategy to recruit new pro bono attorneys, and identifying current volunteers for awards and other recognition
Participate in bar association and other activities in order to network with local attorneys
Accountable for ensuring on-time completion of program deliverables and contract requirements set forth in grant agreement(s)
Assign, direct, supervise, and assess work of paralegals, interns, and law students
Provide legal information and referrals to individuals who do not qualify as clients for our program services
Manage cases, report progress, and record time in a case management system Participate in community outreach and community-related and social justice committees, working groups, and other events as needed Assist in the administration of grants and grant reporting as requested

Required Qualifications:

J.D. and licenced to practice in the State of New York
A minimum of two (2) years experience practicing law Must reside within commuting distance of JustCause office (NOTE: JustCause offers a flexible work-from-home policy, but this position requires attendance at in-person clinics or meetings several times per week) A strong commitment to justice, equity, and community wellness. Demonstrated interest in serving diverse or low-income populations
Ability to work independently and exercise sound and compassionate judgment while serving a very diverse clientele that may be in crisis or have endured various forms of trauma Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain effective relationships with the courts, the private bar, bar associations, and community organizations Ability to work cooperatively with fellow staff, supervisors, interns, and pro bono volunteers Excellent written and oral communication skills and telephonic and in-person interviewing skills
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 Preferred Qualifications
Lived experience of issues impacting LGBTQIA+ communities strongly preferred
Expertise in wills and estate planning, consumer law, and/or one or more JustCause practice areas (e.g., family law, landlord/tenant, etc.)
Experience recruiting, training, supervising, or mentoring pro bono volunteers Prior experience with hiring/managing paralegals and other support staff
Active in local legal community and/or desire to engage in networking and recruiting activities with local bar

Salary depends upon prior relevant experience. Excellent benefits including, but not limited to Generous paid holidays, vacation, and leave time

Choice of high deductible or copay health insurance plan; JustCause pays 100% of the employee's premium
JustCause contribution of 3% of salary to 403(b) retirement plan, plus an additional match of the employee's contribution up to 3%
Parking reimbursement
Short- and long-term disability insurance and New York Paid Family Leave
Ability to work from home

JustCause maintains a collaborative, collegial, flexible, and hybrid workspace and environment, allowing employees to work from the office or remotely depending on organizational needs, and as needed to attend in