Staff Attorney

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. During COVID-19, most of our services were virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 380 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job Description:

NYLAG seeks a staff attorney to provide elder law legal services to Holocaust survivors. Of the 20,000 Holocaust survivors living in New York City, all are over the age of 78 and many live with financial hardship. The attorney will work on matters including health care and other public benefits eligibility, planning and appeals, medical bills and health insurance, advance directives and Wills, estate matters, Holocaust compensation, as well as other legal issues related to older adults. Many Holocaust survivors need access to Medicaid and long-term care. The attorney will assist survivors with navigating the complex Medicaid and Medicare landscape and represent clients in complex fair hearings and external appeals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This attorney’s primary responsibilities include:

• Providing direct legal services, including: counseling, drafting and supervising the execution of advance planning documents, assistance with access to public benefits and health care, elder abuse, guardianship, estate, and Holocaust compensation matters, as well as other legal issues related to older adults;
• Representing clients in administrative hearings, courts and other forums.
• Meeting with clients at community-based sites and making home, hospital and nursing home visits for homebound, hospitalized and nursing home clients.
• Administrative duties including updating NYLAG case management systems, maintaining and updating files and case notes, and assisting in grant reporting as needed;
• 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;
• Conduct and develop educations trainings outreach with survivors and their caregivers and other legal practitioners;
• Attend internal staff meetings and meetings with partner agencies and funders as needed;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Admission to NYS Bar required; pending admission may be considered;
• NYS notary license is required; pending admission may be considered;
• Excellent communication, research and writing skills are required;
• Strong organizational and administrative skills are required;
• At least one year of civil legal services experience in elder law or health law is preferred;
• Proficiency in Russian is preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently.

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:

Full-time

Professional Level:

​ Entry Level

​ Professional

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 $77,079 to $81,675.

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

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

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.