Temp-to-Perm Staff Attorney, Veterans Practice

About NYLAG

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. NYLAG’s staff of 370 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job Description:

NYLAG seeks a highly motivated staff attorney to assist New York City veterans with applications to the Department of Defense Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records and with VA Disability Benefit claims and appeals. The attorney will be responsible for conducting outreach, preparing comprehensive applications, appearing before administrative boards, and providing community and professional presentations on different military and veteran law topics. This position will be temporary through June 2025, with the potential to transition into permanent role aimed at assisting low-income Veterans achieve financial stability and housing security contingent on securing grant funding for a term commencing July 1, 2025.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This attorney’s primary responsibilities include:

• Provide direct representation to veteran clients, including: counseling, investigation, research, drafting, and preparation of discharge upgrade application;
• Conduct extensive screenings and assist with alternative methods of relief and benefit access;
• Administrative duties, including: updating NYLAG case management systems, maintaining and updating files and case notes, and assisting in grant reporting as needed;
• Engage and conduct outreach across NYC addressing barriers to accessing services;
• Provide internal and external referrals to help connect clients with other legal and social services;
• Represent NYLAG at advocate meetings and community events;
• Work with and mentor pro bono attorneys, volunteers, and law students working with NYLAG;
• Conduct trainings for community-based organizations, local agencies, and other advocates in the related substantive matters;
• Attend internal staff meetings and meetings with partner agencies and funders as needed;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Admission to New York Bar or passage of a recent NY Bar Exam or equivalent is preferred; individuals with a JD who will be sitting for the February 2025 bar exam will be considered;
• Experience with the discharge upgrade and record correction process, including applications to the Discharge Review Boards/ Boards for Correction of Military Records;
• Excellent communication, research, and writing skills are required;
• Strong organizational and administrative skills are required;
• Experience working with diverse populations;
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently;
• Commitment to social justice and veterans’ issues.
• Preference will be given to veterans and/or attorneys with prior experience assisting veterans.

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

☒ Temporary-to-Permanent (Temporary through June 2025 with the potential to transition into a permanent role contingent on securing grant funding for a term commencing July 2025)

Professional Level:

☒ Entry Level

Salary Range: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $77,079-$84,452.

Benefits:

Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions:To apply, please send both a resume and a cover letter in a single pdf. Incomplete applications will not be considered. We will ask for a writing sample and references prior to the interview.

Covid Vaccination Policy:

Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.