Staff Attorney

NYLAG•New York, NY

41d•$90,262 - $100,532•Hybrid

About The Position

NYLAG's Community Access Programs Unit (CAPU) and the Public Benefits Unit (PBU) have an immediate opening for a Staff Attorney to join a cross-team initiative for a full-time, two-year position. The Staff Attorney will work on responding to the sweeping changes to federal programs—including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—that have been introduced by H.R. 1, which introduces restrictive changes to our social safety net, significantly impacting low-income, disabled, and immigrant households. These structural shifts in policy—including expanded work requirements for SNAP and Medicaid; limited federal benefits eligibility for immigrants and non-citizens; increased frequency of eligibility redeterminations and shorter retroactive coverage periods for many Medicaid recipients; among many others—will put thousands of New Yorkers, already struggling to obtain basic necessities, at risk of losing essential benefits. The Staff Attorney will partner with communities in New York City to provide community education, access to legal services, and legal representation for residents who are at risk of losing life sustaining benefits. Leveraging the outreach and community lawyering model of CAPU, the attorney in this role will ensure services are responsive to community needs and goals. As a cross-unit collaborative, they will provide high quality, client centered legal services regarding programs impacted by H.R1. In addition, they will go into communities to provide outreach, education, and legal screenings, breaking down barriers to accessing legal services. The Staff Attorney will staff CAPU’s Mobile Legal Help Centers and Legal Hand clinics, as well as partner with elected officials and community-based organizations to bring legal services directly into communities facing barriers to accessing legal support.

Requirements

Admission to New York Bar or passage of the NY Bar Exam and application pending.
One to three years of civil legal services, clinical, fellowship, and/or clerkship experience preferred.
Demonstrated interest in social justice.
Ability to work in and value a collaborative team model.
Experience working with diverse populations.
Experience working within communities.
Experience creating Know Your Rights materials.
Demonstrated ability to handle escalated client situations.
Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently.
Excellent written, oral and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

Conduct intakes at NYLAG’s Mobile Legal Help Centers, Legal Hand clinics, and other community-based sites.
Provide advice, counsel, and full representation services to New York City residents affected by benefits changes introduced in H.R.1.
Collaborate with community-based organizations, elected officials, and colleagues to design and implement other community outreach initiatives and resources.
Develop and deliver Know Your Rights presentations and participate in other community outreach events.
Track and identify patterns experienced by communities that are ripe for impact litigation.
Participate in cross-provider working groups and coalition meetings to work alongside other legal service providers and community-based organizations.
Maintain up-to-date case notes, data tracking, and files.
Practice principles of cultural humility and client-centered lawyering.
Train, manage and mentor pro bono attorneys, clinic students, volunteers, and interns, as needed.
Track, draft, and generate reports for grant management, as needed.
Other duties as assigned.