Equal
Justice Works AmeriCorps Veterans Legal Corps Fellowships
with
Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.
August 3, 2017
ORGANIZATION
DESCRIPTION:
Legal Assistance of Western New
York, Inc. (LawNY) is a not-for-profit law firm
providing free legal services to eligible clients in civil cases through seven
regional offices covering a fourteen county area in Western New York. LawNY receives funding from the New York State Office of Court Administration, Legal
Services Corporation, Interest on Lawyer Account (IOLA) Fund of the State of
New York, AmeriCorps, Equal Justice Works and a number of other funders. Our
workforce includes approximately 145 attorneys, paralegals and support
staff.
POSITION
SUMMARY:
Equal Justice Works and AmeriCorps
have partnered to create the Veterans Legal Corps (VLC) Fellowship, an
opportunity to aid the legal needs of veterans and military families across the
nation. VLC Fellows provide civil legal
assistance to veterans and military families.
LawNY has (2) VLC
Fellowships available for the 2017-2018 program year. These are one year
Fellowships that can be renewed for a second year. One Fellow will be placed in
LawNY's Rochester office, working in an established partnership
with the Veterans' Outreach Center. The second Fellow will be placed in LawNY's
Jamestown office, and will expand on new partnerships that have been developed
to make legal services an important component of local veteran's services.
Based on Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps guidelines, the initial one year term
of service must commence on or before September 30, 2017. Requirements include completion
of National Sex Offender Public Registry check, state(s), and FBI Fingerprint
criminal background checks as well as compliance with all Corporation for
National and Community Service federal regulations throughout the Fellowship
program. Qualified candidates should be
prepared to attend the Equal Justice Works Annual Leadership Development
Training which will take place from October 31-November 2, 2017.
RESPONSIBILITIES
AND DUTIES:
The Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps
VLC Fellow will:
- Provide
direct representation to veterans and military families on issues
including landlord-tenant matters, home foreclosures, VA and other
government benefits, child support and other family law matters, consumer
and medical debt, and the removal of barriers to employment
- Work
with community partner agencies, including case management staff at the VA
hospitals, VA clinics, and Veterans' Centers in the area to create
protocols and facilitate referrals, as well as work with the local bar and
law schools/colleges to recruit volunteers
- Develop
materials to publicize the project to a variety of audiences
- Deliver
presentations at Veterans' Centers on legal topics of broad appeal and
create educational materials to be shared with host staff statewide
- Other
administrative tasks related to AmeriCorps and Equal Justice Works program
compliance
QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants should be admitted to
practice in New York or recent law school graduates who have sat for the July
2017 NYS bar examination. The Fellow will be required to have excellent oral
and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal, organizational and
negotiation skills and the ability to work as a team member. Knowledge of
veterans' benefits law and/or experience with veterans and military families is
preferred. Military service or related-military background, including status as
a military dependent, is also preferred. Diverse economic, social and cultural
experiences and/or a second language are an asset.
COMPENSATION
AND OTHER BENEFITS:
Compensation:
●
AmeriCorps
living allowance of $24,930
●
Supplemental
benefits paid by LawNY of up to $21,000 for qualified living
expenses such as housing, student loans, gas, water, electric, internet, cell
phone, relocation and grocery gift cards. Fellows are required to submit
monthly documentation of qualifying expenses before reimbursement can be
provided.
Other
benefits:
●
$5,815
AmeriCorps Legal Education Award upon successful completion of service
●
Student
loan forbearance and interest accrual payment for eligible loans upon
successful completion of service
●
Health
insurance, for Fellows who are not otherwise covered
●
AmeriCorps
provided childcare assistance, if eligibility requirements are met
●
Participation
in Equal Justice Works training opportunities and conferences, as applicable
●
Reimbursement
for work-related travel, professional development, and training opportunities
TO
APPLY: Applicants should submit a cover letter
describing qualifications, resume, writing sample and the name and contact
information for three references by August 21, 2017 to ensure full
consideration. Applications will be accepted beyond that date until the
position is filled. Applications should
be addressed to Thomas Dubel, Deputy Director, and sent to the following e-mail
address: lawnyapplications@lawny.org. The selected Fellows must be able to start
on or before September 30, 2016.
LawNY is an equal
opportunity employer. LawNY encourages applications from diverse
candidates. LawNY welcomes applications regardless of race, color,
religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin,
age, disability, genetic information or any other consideration protected by
law. |