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Careers
ABOUT OUR WORK
NNJLS is a non-profit public interest law firm with more than 100 employees providing free legal services to low-income, senior and disabled residents of Hudson, Bergen and Passaic Counties, New Jersey. NNJLS’s staff of highly experienced and dedicated attorneys provides a wide variety of civil legal assistance and advocacy for those most in need of legal representation such as victims of domestic violence, tenants facing unfair and arbitrary eviction, seniors victimized by unscrupulous creditors and clients facing many other types of legal matters.
NNJLS is committed to the principle that all members of society should be treated equally and fairly by our civil justice system. We seek dynamic employees who want to make a real difference in the lives of those most in need.
CURRENT JOB OPENINGS
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
NNJLS seeks a Community Outreach and Engagement Manager to build and maintain
strategic partnerships with community-based organizations and service providers, develop
and implement effective outreach strategies, and coordinate community legal education
programs. The Community Outreach and Engagement Manager will help strengthen NNJLS’
connection with the communities we serve and expand awareness and access to civil legal
services for low-income and underserved residents.
Primary Responsibilities
• Develop and support community engagement projects and lead NNJLS’ effort to identify persistent and emerging issues in low-income and underserved communities that can be addressed through civil legal representation and advocacy.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with social service providers and community-based organizations.
• Serve as NNJLS’ representative on coalitions and at stakeholder meetings.
• Maintain knowledge of statistics and reports regarding poverty, legal aid, underserved and at-risk populations including, without limitation, immigrants, limited English speakers, older adults, people with disabilities, survivors of violence, and veterans.
• Lead NNJLS’ core community engagement efforts, including:
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Coordinate outreach activities, legal education presentations and know- your-rights workshops, for community members and service providers.
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Help staff develop and implement outreach and community engagement plans, and connect them with community organizations and groups.
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Give presentations about our services to diverse audiences, including how to identify a legal issue that may be appropriate for referral to NNJLS.
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Field requests for information and NNJLS involvement in community events and evaluate appropriate level of engagement based on priorities and resources.
• Use and support use of technology to compile, analyze, and share quantitative and qualitative data regarding community engagement activities and their impact to NNJLS staff and Board.
• Supervise and support two Associates to maintain community outreach and engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with other NNJLS managers to ensure that the program’s services and activities are aligned with its mission to ensure equal access to justice for residents of Hudson, Bergen, and Passaic Counties.
Qualifications
• College degree with at least two years of experience working with coalitions and/or
community groups.
• Excellent and versatile communication skills, including public speaking and one-
on-one interactions.
• Ability to lead projects and work collaboratively with diverse groups.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Understanding of the role of civil legal aid in addressing issues of poverty and social
justice.
• Computer proficiency.
• Flexibility and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Preferred: Familiarity with legal services, public interest programs, and non-profit
organizations. Fluency in Spanish or another second language.
Location: Based in the Jersey City office. Regular travel throughout Bergen, Hudson,
and Passaic Counties is required. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and reliable
means of transportation to fulfill the travel requirements of the position.
Salary/Benefits
NNJLS provides an attractive starting salary of $65,000, commensurate with experience,
along with a generous benefits and paid time off package, including comprehensive health,
dental, and life insurance; a 10% employer contribution to a 401(a) retirement plan; a
voluntary 403(b) retirement plan; 15 vacation days, 15 sick days, 4 personal days, and 15
paid holidays annually; flexible hybrid remote work schedules after a 90-day waiting
period; in-house training that offers CLE credit; and access to federal student loan
forgiveness programs for qualifying employees.
How to Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications to
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
NNJLS is seeking a highly motivated Development Associate to work collaboratively with
the development team and other stakeholders in support of effective fundraising
strategies. Reporting to the Director of Development and Development Manager, this role
will assist with grant reporting; develop proposals for government, foundation, and
corporate funders; engage with funders, elected officials, and public agencies; identify and
cultivate potential public and private funding sources; and collaborate with outreach and
communications teams to ensure deliverables are met and messaging is consistent. The
Development Associate will also serve as a key coordination point between development,
communications, and outreach, helping ensure that grant deliverables, partner
relationships, and communications activities are coordinated and documented across all
active funding sources. The successful candidate will be well-organized, detail-oriented,
and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Primary Responsibilities
• Maintain and manage a grants calendar including, but not limited to, deadlines, contacts, responsible persons, reporting criteria, and other support information
• Assist in the preparation of grant proposals and reports
• Assist with researching potential funding sources, including foundations, corporations, and government agencies
• Assist in developing fundraising materials, proposals, presentations, and correspondence for prospective donors and funders, including annual reports and donor communications
• Support coordination of our fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure consistent messaging across all fundraising channels, and support coordination of grant-specific communications and outreach deliverables across development, communications, and outreach
• Assist with market and audience research to identify trends, target demographics, and opportunities that support targeted outreach and engagement efforts
• Assist with maintaining and organizing CRM and constituent data to improve segmentation, reporting, and targeted communications
• Assist with the development and coordination of communications outreach materials
• Track and document community partnerships and outreach contacts with potential funding implications, and flag prospects to your supervisor
• Assist in tracking grant compliance deliverables across active funding sources, including reporting requirements for communications and outreach activities
• Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
• At least two years of administrative or related office experience
• Passion for social justice and commitment to serving low-income individuals and families
• Genuine interest in working across teams, with a passion for communications and community engagement in service of a mission-driven organization
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Detail-oriented, flexible, and able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, work independently, and manage multiple deadlines
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Microsoft Excel, and other CRM platforms
• Prior experience in development management is a plus
Preferred: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree; familiarity with legal services, public
interest programs, and nonprofit organizations; fluency in Spanish or another language.
Location: Based in the Jersey City office.
Salary/Benefits
NNJLS provides an attractive starting salary range of $52,000–$58,000, commensurate with
experience, along with a generous benefits and paid time off package, including
comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance; a 10% employer contribution to a 401(a)
retirement plan; a voluntary 403(b) retirement plan; 15 vacation days, 15 sick days, 4
personal days, and 15 paid holidays annually; flexible hybrid remote work schedules after a
90-day waiting period; in-house training that offers CLE credit; and access to federal
student loan forgiveness programs for qualifying employees.
How to Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications to
PARALEGAL, FAMILY UNIT
The Family Law Paralegal will be based in our Jersey City office and will work closely with family law attorneys and support staff on matters involving domestic violence, divorce, custody and parenting time, child support, and post-judgment proceedings.
Primary Responsibilities
• Conduct client intake interviews and gather detailed information necessary for representation, including information concerning family circumstances, finances, children, housing, and domestic violence matters.
• Assist attorneys with domestic violence, restraining orders, divorce, custody and parenting-time, child support, and post-judgment matters.
• Prepare and organize pleadings, motions, certifications, discovery, exhibits, correspondence, proposed orders, and other legal documents under attorney supervision.
• Assist attorneys with discovery, including collecting, organizing, reviewing, and preparing financial and other case-related documentation.
• Assist with child support calculations and organize supporting financial documentation.
• Assist with court and hearing preparation, including electronic filing, preparation of exhibits and hearing materials, and monitoring court deadlines and docket activity.
• Maintain accurate case files, case notes, calendars, deadlines, court information, and electronic records in accordance with organizational policies.
• Conduct legal research under attorney supervision and prepare factual summaries and research materials concerning New Jersey family law and related matters.
• Communicate professionally with clients, courts, agencies, opposing counsel, advocates, and community service providers as directed by the supervising attorney.
• Provide clients with procedural and administrative information and case updates within the scope of the paralegal role and under attorney direction.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information, particularly matters involving domestic violence, with professionalism, discretion, and appropriate attention to client safety.
• Work with clients from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches.
• Assist with referrals and coordination with domestic violence advocates, social- service agencies, and community resources as directed by the supervising attorney.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical case files and ensure documents are legible, properly uploaded, and accessible in the case management system.Qualifications
• Prior experience as a paralegal, legal assistant, or in a comparable legal-support position.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines and work independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to learn case management systems and other technology.
• Ability to work effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Preferred: Family law or domestic violence experience; familiarity with New Jersey
family law and court procedures; experience with electronic filing and case management
systems; bilingual/multilingual skills.
Location: Based in the Jersey City office.
Salary/Benefits
Starting salary of $46,000 pursuant to Section 12.2(A) of the Northeast New Jersey Legal
Services Staff Association Collective Bargaining Agreement (2026–2028).
NNJLS offers comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance; a 10% employer
contribution to a 401(a) retirement plan; a voluntary 403(b) plan; a generous paid time off
package, including 10 vacation days, 15 sick days, 4 personal days, 1 floating holiday, and
15 paid holidays annually; and access to federal student loan forgiveness programs for
qualifying employees.
How to Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications to
ASSISTANT MANAGING ATTORNEY, PUBLIC BENEFITS UNIT
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services (NNJLS) seeks an Assistant Managing Attorney to supervise its Public Benefits Unit. The Public Benefits Unit handles unemployment, welfare, SNAP, Medicaid, and SSI matters. The position will be located in our Paterson, NJ office and is full-time with the ability to work a hybrid schedule after 90 days.
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services’ mission is to ensure equal access to justice for low-income residents of Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties, New Jersey. In order to accomplish this mission, NNJLS provides a full array of free legal services in civil matters, including legal representation, advocacy, advice, community legal education, and other legal services.
Location: Northeast New Jersey Legal Services provides services in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties. Offices are within easy commuting distance from Northern New Jersey and New York City via public transportation.
Position Description: The Assistant Managing Attorney, along with the Managing Attorney, will supervise the work of all unit casehandlers including paralegals. Supervision includes but is not limited to, designing and implementing unit priorities and case handling protocols, providing training to new attorneys, overseeing the overall performance and day-to-day activities of the unit, and working alongside other managers to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of services. The Assistant Managing Attorney will also carry a limited caseload and participate in community education and outreach. Some travel between offices is required.
Position Qualifications: The Assistant Managing Attorney must be admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey and have at least three years of Public Benefits Law practice experience. Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills are also required. Prior Legal Services experience or a demonstrated commitment to legal assistance for the disadvantaged is preferred. Prior supervisory experience is a plus. NNJLS offers a positive workplace among colleagues who enjoy and are passionate about their work. We encourage a supportive, teamwork environment, with work-life balance.
Salary/Benefits: NNJLS provides an attractive salary starting at $90,000 commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits and PTO package including but not limited to, comprehensive health/dental/life insurance, 401(a) and 403(b) retirement plans, 20 days-vacation to start, flexible hybrid remote work schedules, and in-house trainings that offer CLE credit. Employment at NNJLS also provides access to federal loan forgiveness programs for those that qualify. NNJLS is an equal opportunity employer, including supporting individuals with a disability and veterans.
For more information about NNJLS, please visit our website www.northeastnjlegalservices.org.
Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and interest in the position to: HRNNJLS@LSNJ.ORG
Employment Opportunities for Attorneys
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services (NNJLS) has several challenging and rewarding positions available for attorneys seeking to provide legal assistance to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society. NNJLS is hiring attorneys for its Housing, Public Benefits, Consumer, Family, and Immigration sections in its Paterson, Hackensack, and Jersey City, New Jersey offices. Positions are full-time with the ability to work a hybrid schedule. We are looking to hire experienced attorneys as well as recent law school graduates.
NNJLS is a non-profit public interest law firm with over 120 employees providing free legal services to low-income, senior and disabled residents of Hudson, Bergen and Passaic Counties, New Jersey. NNJLS’s staff of highly experienced and dedicated attorneys provides a wide variety of civil legal assistance and advocacy for those most in need of legal representation such as victims of domestic violence, tenants facing unfair and arbitrary eviction, seniors victimized by unscrupulous creditors, and persons seeking to obtain and retain public benefits. NNJLS is committed to the principle that all members of society should be treated equally and fairly by our civil justice system. NNJLS seeks dynamic advocates who want to make a real difference in the lives of those most in need of legal assistance.
Attorneys must be a graduate of an accredited law school, admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey, or willing to sit for the next bar examination. Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills are required. Prior Legal Services experience or a demonstrated commitment to legal assistance for the disadvantaged is preferred. NNJLS offers a positive workplace among colleagues who enjoy and are passionate about their work. We encourage a supportive, teamwork environment, with work-life balance.
NNJLS provides an attractive salary starting at $77,500 commensurate with experience, and a generous fringe benefits package including but not limited to, comprehensive health/dental/life insurance, 401(a) with 10% employer contribution and 403(b) retirement plans. We encourage a supportive teamwork environment, with work-life balance, including generous paid time-off, flexible hybrid remote work schedules, and in-house trainings that offer CLE credit. Employment at NNJLS also provides access to federal loan forgiveness programs for those that qualify. NNJLS is an equal opportunity employer, including supporting individuals with a disability and veterans. For more information about NNJLS visit www.northeastnjlegalservices.org.
Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and interest in the position to: HRNNJLS@LSNJ.ORG
Employment Opportunities for Experienced Family Law Attorneys
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services (NNJLS) has positions available for experienced Family law attorneys seeking to provide legal assistance to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society. NNJLS is hiring attorneys for its Paterson, Hackensack, and Jersey City, New Jersey offices.
At least two years of Family law experience required. Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills are also required. Prior Legal Services experience or a demonstrated commitment to legal assistance for the disadvantaged is preferred. Prior supervisory experience is a plus. NNJLS offers a positive workplace among colleagues who enjoy and are passionate about their work. We encourage a supportive, team work environment, with work-life balance. Benefits include comprehensive health and retirement plans and in-house trainings that offer CLE credit. All attorneys receive an attractive salary and fringe benefits package. NNJLS is an equal opportunity employer, including supporting individuals with a disability and veterans. Bilingual skills are preferred for some positions.
For more information about us visit our website at www.northeastnjlegalservices.org. Submit a resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for the position to: Human Resources Manager at HRNNJLS@LSNJ.org.
Employment Opportunities for Experienced Housing Law Attorneys
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services (NNJLS) has positions available for experienced Housing law attorneys seeking to provide legal assistance to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society. NNJLS is hiring attorneys for its Paterson, Hackensack, and Jersey City, New Jersey offices.
Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills are also required. Prior Legal Services experience or a demonstrated commitment to legal assistance for the disadvantaged is preferred. Prior supervisory experience is a plus. NNJLS offers a positive workplace among colleagues who enjoy and are passionate about their work. We encourage a supportive, team work environment, with work-life balance. Benefits include comprehensive health and retirement plans and in-house trainings that offer CLE credit. All attorneys receive an attractive salary and fringe benefits package. NNJLS is an equal opportunity employer, including supporting individuals with a disability and veterans. Bilingual skills are preferred for some positions. For more information about us visit our website at www.northeastnjlegalservices.org. Submit a resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for the position to: Human Resources Manager at HRNNJLS@LSNJ.org.