Description:
LegalHealth, a division of the A Social Services Organization, has an immediate opening for an immigration attorney to join one of the longest standing and the largest Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) in the country.LegalHealth partners with a diverse array of medical professionals in 38 hospitals throughout New York to address the health harming legal needs of low-income people with serious health problems. LegalHealth complements health care with legal care – providing free legal services in medical facilities and training healthcare professionals to understand both the legal issues their patients may encounter and the relationship between health and legal advocacy. Using a holistic approach to address Social Determinants of Health, this is an exciting opportunity to practice law at the intersection of immigration and healthcare, representing clients on a myriad of immigration matters that are often connected to a diagnosis or chronic health condition. LegalHealth plays a leadership role in the expanding MLP movement, helping others to start or sustain their own MLPs. This position reports to their supervising attorney.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for staffing 2 legal clinics at a hospital partner, fulfilling the hospital clearance requirements, and providing on-site legal assistance to patients and community members, many of whom are coping with serious or chronic health conditions.
- Provide legal services for a wide range of immigration issues including: family-based immigration, adjustment of status, naturalization, U/T Visas, VAWA, TPS, asylum, SIJS, removal cases (limited basis), other special projects as assigned, and related employment authorization documents.
- Assist noncitizens in securing NYS Medicaid and other benefits.
- Handle requests for Medical Deferred Actions for critically ill clients.
- The attorney will also be responsible for some training of hospital staff to foster better communication and stronger relationships.
Qualifications:
- Admitted to practice law in New York.
- Two - four years of prior and relevant immigration experience, preferably working in healthcare or with vulnerable populations.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- Ability to both empathize with clients' challenges and help to problem solve is critically important.
- Demonstrated interest in working with low-income, disabled, and/or disadvantaged clients.
- Ability to speak a language other than English, especially Spanish, preferred
