Staff Attorney, Disability Advocacy Project (DAP)
$74k - $97k USD
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.
LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer.
Bronx Legal Services seeks a Staff Attorney for its Disability Advocacy Project.
Our Organization:
Bronx Legal Services, the Bronx office of Legal Services NYC, fights poverty and seeks racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. We provide high-quality legal services to resolve those problems which have the greatest impact on low-income New Yorkers, namely affordable and decent housing, income support, abusive lending and consumer practices, family stability, domestic violence, and the disabled. We bring significant financial resources to an underserved community, promoting the health and stability of the neighborhoods we serve.
Role & Responsibilties:
Bronx Legal Services seeks a Staff Attorney for its Disability Advocacy Project. The DAP team assists low-income residents of The Bronx seeking federal disability benefits based on mental and/or physical health impairments and disabilities. We assist clients with case development and represent them in administrative hearings, appeals, and collateral issues which arise after an award of benefits. We work with community members and partner organizations in identifying and resolving systemic barriers to obtaining disability benefits.
The staff attorney will be responsible for advocacy, litigation, and community outreach in The Bronx. The attorney will appear in administrative proceedings before the Social Security Administration and in appeals to the federal district court. The attorney will investigate and develop disability claims, evaluate the merits, prepare clients to testify at hearings, advocate at hearings including direct examination of clients and cross-examination of experts, and prepare written arguments and memoranda of law. The advocate will collaborate with other partners or community groups to create and shape public policy advocacy.
Experience & Qualifications:
- J.D. degree from an accredited law school and be admitted to practice in New York
- 2-3 years’ experience with Social Security disability work, including Social Security disability applications, appeals to the ALJ and Appeals Council, and litigation in Federal Court
- Strong interest and/or experience in litigation/advocacy to create systemic change
- Ability to work well with people of diverse national, ethnic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Demonstrated commitment to, or experience providing culturally sensitive services to vulnerable populations
- Demonstrated commitment to, or experience working with individuals living with physical and/or mental health disabilities
- Demonstrated commitment to social and racial justice
- Experience working as part of a collaborative team of attorneys and non-legal professionals
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills
- Excellent computer, organizational, planning, and time management skills
The salary for the position is competitive and commensurate with experience (determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement). Excellent benefits package.
Health Recommendation:
All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date Covid-19 vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.
How to Apply:
To apply for the position, send a resume, cover letter, recent writing sample, and names of three (3) references below.
Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls and no mailed applications.
Bronx Legal Services is an equal-opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and people over the age of 40 are welcome and encouraged to apply.
Salary Range (Based on years’ experience):
- 1-10 years: $73,593 -$96,664
- 11-20 years: $98,875 - $116,730
- 21+ years: $122,117 - $133,304
All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.
Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.