Attorney – Social Security, Public Benefits

Legal Aid of Southeast & Central Ohio • Columbus, OH

14h • $72,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO)’s mission is to provide civil legal aid and advocacy to overcome unfairness and injustice, reduce poverty, and increase opportunity. LASCO has a long-standing history of being committed to searching out the patterns, causes of, and solutions to the repetitive and fundamental legal problems facing low-income Ohioans and pursuing the legal recourse needed to address those problems. Since 1966, our organizations have helped thousands of Ohio’s poor obtain and keep housing, secure public benefits, worked with families to gain and maintain economic stability, and helped domestic violence survivors to live free of fear and abuse and to obtain the resources needed to sustain themselves and their children. LASCO is actively seeking a dedicated, professional Attorney to provide legal counsel and advice as well as direct representation in the area of social security, as well as collaborating with partner organizations in providing legal assistance to our communities through special projects and grants. Are You Someone Who: Is dedicated to improving the lives of low-income individuals in our communities? Is motivated, professional and customer service focused? Enjoys creatively helping clients triumph over adversity? Works well within a collaborative, team-driven, and goal-based environment? Can communicate verbally and in writing with a wide range of people? Creates processes to increase work efficiencies and systems to work smarter not harder? Takes pride in excellent attention to detail when producing documents and other work? Promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and quality? Is interested in developing a wide range of legal skills and experiences? Engages in continuous learning? You Will: Handle all functions related to legal advocacy ranging from intake to the representation of clients before local, state, appellate and federal courts, and all relevant agencies, with a focus on social security casework. Develop systems for handling a wide range of issues low-income clients face when dealing with the Social Security Administration. Maintain a caseload that includes both direct service and impact work Participate in one of our substantive teams focused on learning one area of the law more in depth and on addressing systemic issues Participate in outreach activities, clinics and other community events Collaborate with other legal services attorneys on statewide advocacy Promote community relations and build community relationships by engaging with the public and partner service providers Have the opportunity to participate in excellent on-going professional development including CLE-approved trainings on substantive poverty law and advocacy skills among others Be a part of a community of collaborative and mission driven professionals

Requirements

• Strong legal advocacy skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• High ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion
• High ability to facilitate collaboration as well as build and sustain productive relationships with diverse individuals, groups and organizations
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and written, with diverse audiences
• A commitment to access for all people with a wide variety of lived experiences both internally and externally
• Strong work ethic
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, knowledge of current technologies and commitment to remain up to date with industry best practices
• English language proficiency is essential and Spanish/English bilingual skills are a plus. Additional languages – even better
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admitted to the Bar of the State of Ohio (or if not currently admitted, expected to obtain admission within 12 months from date of hire) preferred
• Prior experience handling Social Security cases required, working with a Legal Aid program is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Handle all functions related to legal advocacy ranging from intake to the representation of clients before local, state, appellate and federal courts, and all relevant agencies, with a focus on social security casework.
• Develop systems for handling a wide range of issues low-income clients face when dealing with the Social Security Administration.
• Maintain a caseload that includes both direct service and impact work
• Participate in one of our substantive teams focused on learning one area of the law more in depth and on addressing systemic issues
• Participate in outreach activities, clinics and other community events
• Collaborate with other legal services attorneys on statewide advocacy
• Promote community relations and build community relationships by engaging with the public and partner service providers
• Have the opportunity to participate in excellent on-going professional development including CLE-approved trainings on substantive poverty law and advocacy skills among others
• Be a part of a community of collaborative and mission driven professionals

Benefits

• LASCO offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package, currently including an employer funded HRA (up to $12,000), employer-paid employee dental and vision insurance, a language skills differential ($2,500-$3,500 annually), paid vacation, sick and holiday time, LRAP eligibility, and ongoing training and development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree