Website New York State Unified Court System

Principal Court Attorney (JG: 31)

Location:
8th Judicial District
Erie Supreme and County Courts

Base Salary:
$130,061

Classification:
Non-Competitive/Confidential

Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Admission to the New York State Bar and three (3) years of service in the Associate Court Attorney title; or
  • Eight (8) years of relevant legal experience gained after admission to the New York State Bar.

Distinguishing Features of Work

Principal Court Attorneys serve in a confidential capacity and are responsible for overseeing the operations of special parts, terms, or departments in courts with a service population exceeding 400,000.

Responsibilities include assisting the Chief Court Attorney or Supervising Court Attorney with the formulation and implementation of office policies, supervising and administering law department operations, and researching and analyzing complex legal issues and questions for the court. Principal Court Attorneys may also be designated to act as special referees and perform other related duties.

Assignment

This position will work in the Foreclosure and Conference Settlement Part and will have supervisory responsibilities.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Supervising and coordinating clerks, analysts, and attorneys assigned to Erie Supreme and County Courts
  • Preparing annual orders, special term assignments, and emergency special term assignments
  • Assisting with the preparation of documents
  • Managing media requests
  • Responding to judicial and referee complaints and inquiries received by Administrative Chambers and the District Office

General Information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this title. They do not include all duties performed by employees in this title, and not every position necessarily requires these responsibilities.

Although this position is currently available at a specific location, the appointee may be reassigned to any position within the same title and promotion unit, depending on the needs of the Unified Court System.

Applications received in response to this announcement may be used to fill any vacancies in this title that occur within this court or agency during the next six (6) months.

Current vacancy: 1 position

Application Procedures

All interested candidates who meet the minimum qualifications are encouraged to submit:

Applications may be submitted by email or mail:

Email:
8JDHRApplications@nycourts.gov

Mail:
Shion Christian
Human Resources
8th Judicial District Administrative Office
92 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202

Applicants are encouraged to complete the Equal Employment Opportunity Data Collection Form.

Important Dates

Posting Date: July 10, 2026

Application Deadline: Applications must be postmarked or received by August 7, 2026.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The New York State Unified Court System is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.

To apply for this job email your details to 8JDHRApplications@nycourts.gov