Director, VA Pratice

The Veteran Advocacy Project (VAP) seeks an attorney to lead our veterans law practice, supervising a small team and providing representation to veterans in appeals before the Department of Veterans Affairs.

VAP provides free legal services to low-income veterans and their families, with a focus on those living with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and mental health conditions. We are partnered with VA hospitals, community health clinics, and local veterans' groups to reach veterans where they are. While our attorneys tackle the legal challenges, our advocates ensure that our clients are connected to culturally appropriate social services. With a dedicated team, VAP enables veterans to regain their health and rebuild their lives.

The attorney will work with other members of VAP to address the legal needs of low-income veterans in a holistic manner. VAP focuses on advocacy that enables veterans to access VA health care and benefits. The director will: supervise a very small but growing team; collaborate with partner organizations with a particular focus on our medical-legal partnerships in NYC; carry a modified case load, providing representation in VA character of discharge (COD) determinations, VA overpayments, and disability benefits appeals with a focus on mental health related claims; work on policy advocacy; and identify issues for impact litigation. The work will also include overseeing partnerships at certain sites, communication with doctors, social workers, and case managers, and administrative work related to supervision, program development, and funding.

Individuals with military service, prior experience working with veterans, people with disabilities, people of all gender identities, people from underrepresented communities, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Represent clients before the VA, and potentially in federal court; write COD and service-connected compensation appeals, along with various other VA claims;
• Supervise a small team;
• Screen veterans for relief, with exhaustive investigation of military history and medical records;
• Oversee assignments for law student's working on investigations, claims, and briefs;
• Collaborate with forensic mental health professionals;
• Research legal issues, with a focus on military discharges and VA character eligibility;
• Provide telephone and/or written advice to clients;
• Provide thorough referrals to connect clients with other services; work with staff on case strategies and integration of services to meet clients’ needs;
• Work with the ED and staff to shape policy positions and the organization's advocacy goals;
• Work with ED and Director of Finance on funding (reporting, new opportunities, etc.);
• Track client information in a database, attend meetings, perform administrative tasks related to the work.

Qualifications:

• Current member in good standing of a state bar (New York preferred);
• Accreditation with the Department of Veterans Affairs;
• Minimum six years’ experience in veterans law;
  • Knowledge and practice in VA claims, including character of discharge applications and disability compensation appeals for PTSD and other mental health conditions;
  • Experience with VA hearings at regional level and BVA;
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills;
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to work well with people living with mental illness, substance use disorders, and traumatic brain injury;
• Ability to work independently with strong self-motivation, to meet deadlines, to be flexible, and to collaborate with and mentor junior staff;
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and veterans’ rights.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, ranging from $96,000 – $130,000, along with a benefits package, including employer-paid healthcare premiums, life insurance, 401K, etc.

Location: VAP is a hybrid environment with some of the team working entirely remotely. This position is flexible and can be fully remote but proximity to the New York metropolitan area is strongly preferred to oversee and facilitate our many partnerships.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample with a VA character of discharge brief to hiring@veteranadvocacy.org with "VA Director" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Veteran Advocacy Project, Inc., is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, immigration status, gender or gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record, unemployment status, predisposing genetic characteristics, survivor of domestic/intimate partner violence status, or marital or partnership status.