Senior Attorney - Remote or in Chapel Hill, NC

Position: Senior Attorney (1-2 positions)

Reports to: Jane Perkins, Litigation Director

Status: Full-time Exempt

Start Date: Immediate

Location: Remote or in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with occasional travel to other locations

THE ORGANIZATION

The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) protects and advances the health rights of low-income and underserved individuals. NHeLP engages in national, state, and local advocacy efforts, including analyses of federal and state laws, policy advocacy, litigation, continuing legal education, and individual technical support. We work with lawyers and advocates, community-based entities, federal and state policymakers, health care providers, and clients.

NHeLP is committed to health equity—ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to be healthy—and to cultivating an internal environment that empowers an exceptional and diverse staff. For more information, see our Equity Stance. To promote social justice and best achieve our mission, NHeLP is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. NHeLP particularly encourages applications from people of color, women, the LGBTQI+ community, people with disabilities, and others whose backgrounds may contribute to the effective representation of people with low incomes and underserved communities.

THE TEAM

We are expanding our litigation and enforcement team. This is a highly committed team that engages in national, state, and local advocacy, focusing on class action and individual representation in federal and state courts. Over the years, our litigation efforts have established important precedents and models for advocates across the country, particularly with respect to the Medicaid Act, the Affordable Care Act, and constitutional and civil/disability rights. We consult on legal and litigation issues with other law offices (e.g., disability rights and legal services) and health organizations. Our litigation and enforcement team works closely with our Health Law Partnerships, state-based public interest law offices now in more than twenty states, and, as a National Disability Rights Network legal back-up center, with Protection & Advocacy offices. Our Amicus Project prepares briefs on behalf of national, state, and community-based organizations when courts are considering major health access and equity issues.

THE POSITION

We are seeking one to two full-time attorneys to work within our litigation and enforcement team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with NHeLP’s litigation and enforcement team to develop innovative legal theories to protect and enforce laws designed to ensure access to health care.
• Engage in litigation to protect and expand health access, including work on case development, discovery, briefing, trial, and oral argument.
• Participate in NHeLP’s Amicus Project, preparing briefs on behalf of national, state, and community-based organizations when courts are considering major access and equity issues.
• Develop presentations and written materials concerning developments in the litigation and enforcement team’s priority areas.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance to our Health Law Partnerships; disability rights, legal services, and health advocates; policy makers; media; funders; and scholars.
• Work with NHeLP’s policy teams and practice areas to develop and expand policies that improve health access and equity.
• Work with NHeLP’s communication team, including through publications, blog posts, and training and conference sessions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• JD degree and admission to the bar in any U.S. jurisdiction
• At least 8 years of legal experience, primarily litigation experience

MUST-HAVE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Knowledge and experience enforcing relevant laws, including the Administrative Procedure Act, the Medicaid and Medicare Acts, the Americans with Disabilities\Rehabilitation Acts, the ACA, and the U.S. Constitution
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Commitment to representation of low-income populations
• Commitment to NHeLP’s mission and values, including advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion
• High level of independence and initiative, strong communication skills, creativity, and willingness to work in various roles on the litigation team
• Ability to talk about complex legal and policy issues in clear and persuasive terms for lawyer and non-lawyer audiences

We particularly encourage applications from members of racial and ethnic minority groups, women, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and others whose background may contribute to effective representation of low-income people and underserved communities.