Director and Lead Attorney, Upper Midwest Pension and Retirement Rights Program

Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging • Minneapolis, MN

52d • $39,520 - $45,760 • Hybrid

About The Position

Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging (MAAA), a respected nonprofit organization serving older adults throughout the Upper Midwest, is seeking an experienced and mission-driven attorney to serve as the Director and Lead Attorney for the Upper Midwest Pension and Retirement Rights Program. This is a part-time, 20-hour-per-week leadership role that combines direct client advocacy, legal strategy, program management, and community partnership development to help older adults and their families secure critical retirement and pension benefits.

Depending on qualifications and interest, candidates may also be considered for an additional part-time role as Chief Compliance and Data Protection Officer, providing oversight of organizational compliance and privacy programs. This role leads the compliance program at MAAA, including the agency's role as a Medicare supplier and as a provider in Minnesota Health Care Programs (Medicaid). They will oversee MAAA's data protection strategy and its implementation to ensure compliance with federal and state data practices and privacy laws.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree required.
• License to practice law in Minnesota.
• Knowledge of ERISA, the SECURE 2.0 Act, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
• Strong legal research, writing, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and explain complex pension and retirement benefit issues.
• Ability to supervise and support staff attorneys, law clerks, interns, and volunteers.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with Legal Aid providers, law schools, social service organizations, affiliated attorneys, and members of the private bar.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate complex matters involving multiple variables.
• Commitment to serving older adults, retirees, and individuals seeking access to justice.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in employee benefits, ERISA, elder law, administrative law, public interest law, family law, or related legal practice areas.
• Experience working with older adults, retirees, vulnerable populations, or nonprofit organizations.
• Supervisory, leadership, or program management experience.
• Experience with contract compliance or grant-funded programs.
• Knowledge and experience managing compliance and data protection in a healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and advocacy related to pension, retirement, survivor, and former spouse benefits.
• Manage all aspects of the Upper Midwest Pension and Retirement Rights Program, including budget oversight and operational leadership.
• Develop and implement strategic outreach initiatives to increase program visibility and expand services to eligible clients.
• Build and maintain relationships with attorneys, legal aid organizations, law schools, retirement specialists, and other community partners.
• Supervise staff attorneys, interns, and volunteers while fostering a collaborative and client-centered culture.
• Conduct client intake, analyze legal issues, and evaluate cases for merit and program eligibility.
• Prepare administrative claims, appeals, and legal correspondence involving retirement and pension disputes.
• Negotiate settlements and represent client interests in benefit claim and recoupment matters.
• Prepare reports and program updates for funders and key stakeholders.
• Connect clients with appropriate external resources when legal matters fall outside program scope.
• Oversee organizational compliance and privacy programs (optional role).
• Oversee MAAA's data protection strategy and its implementation to ensure compliance with federal and state data practices and privacy laws (optional role).

Benefits

• Salary of $39,520 - $45,760 per year, depending on qualifications, for a part-time schedule of 20 hours per week.
• Retirement benefits with a 5% salary match, beginning 30 days after employment.
• Flexible hybrid work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree