Description:

Opportunity:
We are seeking an experienced attorney to join our PBU to work primarily in health law.Through direct representation, outreach, community education, and strategic pro bono partnerships, the project attorney will ensure that older adults and veterans maximize their benefits and entitlements, decrease out-of-pocket expenses, and have reliable, informed access to health care that meets their individual needs and promotes aging-in-place.

Among other responsibilities, the project attorney will:

represent older adults and veterans on a variety of public benefits issues, such as SNAP, cash assistance, home care/personal care, and public health insurance programs like Medicaid;
work towards creating policy reform and bring affirmative litigation to challenge systems, laws, and rules that deny people equitable access to benefits;
mentor and train pro bono partners;
act as a resource to other health and benefits advocates at LSNYC;
coordinate in-house referrals to other LSNYC teams; and,
conduct and create community education and provider trainings for external stakeholders as well as LSNYC staff.

Our ideal candidate will:

identify systemic issues and barriers our clients face and lead efforts to raze those obstacles in the pursuit of equal access to justice;
enjoy working with older adults and veterans;
have experience with, and understanding of, working with people with physical and mental impairments;
employ a client-centered approach to advocacy that raises our clients' voices; and,
champion diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Occasional evening and weekend outreach will be necessary. The staff attorney will be expected to conduct regular off-site intake, education, and outreach. The staff attorney will need to conduct frequent client home visits. When conducting off-site intake and outreach, the attorney will be expected to enter and upload relevant data and documents into our case management system and complete conflict checks, whenever possible.

Qualifications:

Admission to the New York State Bar required;
At least one year of health law experience required, preferably home care. However, candidates with equivalent, significant experience in health care settings may be considered;
Prior experience representing litigants at administrative hearings and in City, State, or Federal Courts required;
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and utilization of DEIB lens in the project and work;
Prior experience in other public benefits, such as cash assistance, SNAP, or SSD/I, strongly preferred;
Experience with, and understanding of, working with people with physical and mental impairments and/or diminished capacity;
A demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low- income communities and communities of color to advance equity;
An ability to adapt quickly and correct course;
Superlative communication and interpersonal skills, with an aptitude for building relationships with people across disciplines, job titles, and agencies;
Grace, kindness, and empathy, particularly when under pressure, for our clients, team, and agency partners;
Belief in our ability to create systemic change and commitment to working towards that goal;
Fluency or proficiency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken by NYC residents is strongly preferred;
Ability to speak with people of diverse backgrounds and build trust, be able to treat people with respect, and identify clients' needs quickly and accurately;
Understand the dynamics of intimate partner/domestic violence and trafficking, as well as the effects abuse, crime, and trauma have on individuals and communities;
Aptitude for working with survivors of crime, noncitizens, veterans, older adults, people in crisis, and people with disabilities;
Excellent organizational skills and strong facility with numbers; and,
Experience working with low-income people.