Why us?
Satter Ruhlen is a small, tightly-knit group of workers’ rights attorneys and support staff. Each of us is personally dedicated to social justice in the workplace. Our commitment, first and foremost, is to provide high quality legal services to our clients. We do this by working as a team; in fact, we focus on meeting our clients’ goals rather than racking up billable hours. This means we have periods of high-volume, high-intensity work…and then other times when we all knock off early to go for a bike ride.
We’re kind of nerdy about labor and employment law – we enjoy stuff like diagramming FLSA regs. It gets quiet in the office when we’re all absorbed in our projects. On the other hand, we try to check in with each other every day, and we celebrate our successes together. When we’re in-person, we have lunch together. When we’re remote, we schedule video conferences just to say hi.
We hire for stability. People’s anniversaries are measured in decades here: Associates who are willing to commit, both in terms of time and effort, could find themselves on the partner track in a firm that is well-respected throughout central and northern New York. It helps to be a Peggy Browning Fellow or have some other demonstrated commitment to and experience with workers’ rights law.
Our office manager is very much part of the team (honestly, sometimes more important than the attorneys). We recognize that it takes a special person to work day-in and day-out with attorneys, and we value people who can do that. A super-reliable staff member who can pay close attention to detail, help us deal with technology, and keep a cool head on the phone is one in a million, and we want that person to stay with us.
Fair warning: Syracuse weather is not for the faint of heart, and we’re not into the glitz and glamor of a big city firm. But we offer good benefits, generous time off, access to CLEs, 401(k), association and registration dues, bonuses when appropriate, and competitive pay.
Satter Ruhlen Law Firm, PLLC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. BIPOC, women, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are encouraged to apply.
If you are serious about workers’ rights—serious enough to commit your career to the snowiest rust-belt city in New York—serious enough to put some serious time and effort into honing your workers’ rights advocacy skills at our firm—then feel free to submit a cover letter via our Get In Touch form over there on the right. In the “Employer” box, type “SRLF Candidate.” We look forward to chatting with you.
Why Syracuse?
Syracuse is at the crossroads of New York, and it shows in our culture. From our famous sports teams and renowned shopping experiences to the hundreds of area trails and parks, cideries, wineries, museums, and performing arts venues, there really is something for everyone here—and without a lot of traffic and parking headaches. Want a fun weekend? There’s a festival every month: Taste of Syracuse for your inner foodie, New York State Blues Festival for your inner cool cat, Winterfest, Pride Fest, Juneteenth, and of course the world-famous New York State Fair. There’s fun for children and adults alike at the award-winning Rosamond Gifford Zoo and the Museum of Science and Technology (“The MOST”). Our outdoor culture cannot be beat: We’re an hour from the Adirondacks, an hour from the Finger Lakes, and an hour from the shores of Lake Ontario. The Empire State Trail (a bike path along the historic Erie Canal) runs right through town, all the way east to Albany and west to Buffalo. Check out the bald eagles on Onondaga Lake, or hike a Finger Lakes gorge. The famous winters don’t stop us – we have miles of trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, plenty of downhill skiing, and ice skating. Just about every neighborhood has an excellent sledding hill.
The cost of living here is far below the national average. It’s definitely within reach to purchase enough square footage and land for a growing family in an excellent school district – but don’t take our word for it. Go check out Zillow or the newest US News and World Report Best Places to Live list. Or, if you don’t want to mow a lawn, have a look at the remodeled apartments in Downtown Syracuse’s historic buildings, many of them right around the corner from the Satter Ruhlen Law Firm offices.
Come check out the upside down traffic light in Tipp Hill, find out what “Salt City” means; catch a lacrosse game; visit Wegmans (yes, that’s a grocery store. Trust us, it’s an experience!) Take in a show at Syracuse Stage, Redhouse, or the Landmark Theater. Or try some of our local cuisine, whether you’re hungry for salt potatoes, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Misir Wat or Bibimbap – it’s all here.
We get it, the long winters and rusty history may not be for everyone. But there is a magical and vibrant quality to this area, where it’s easy for individuals and families to grow and thrive. It’s a good place to put down roots, to make lasting connections, to try new things, and to enjoy life.
