PUBLISHED
07/19/2018

ADDRESS
7 Hanover Square
18th Floor
New York
NY
10004
United States

DESCRIPTION
About NYLAG

Founded in 1990, the New York Legal Assistance Group provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers. The organization serves immigrants, seniors, the homebound, families facing foreclosure, renters facing eviction, low-income consumers, those in need of government assistance, children in need of special education, domestic violence victims, persons with disabilities, patients with chronic illness or disease, low-wage workers, low-income members of the LGBTQ community, Holocaust survivors, and others in need. The organization's annual operating budget is over $27 million. Serving more than 75,000 New Yorkers annually, New York Legal Assistance Group maintains a paid staff of approximately 280, supported by 2,200 pro bono attorneys and other volunteers and interns. For more information, applicants are encouraged to visit www.nylag.org

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Mission

The New York Legal Assistance Group uses the power of the law to help New Yorkers in need combat social and economic injustice. We address emerging and urgent legal needs with comprehensive, free civil legal services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community education

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Values that guide us

•  We reduce the effects of poverty by providing high quality, effective civil legal services. 
•  We partner with our clients to help them transform their lives and strengthen their communities
•  We address our clients'; multiple legal needs by collaborating across our practice areas
•  We are at the forefront of identifying and understanding New Yorkers' most pressing legal needs, rapidly adapting to meet these needs with innovative programs and partnerships
•  We assess need broadly, recognizing that need is not a function of income alone
•  We collaborate with community organizations and engage pro bono attorneys and volunteers to serve a greater number of people with unmet civil legal needs
•  We achieve systemic change through class actions, impact litigation and by advocating for just laws and policies
•  We work to create a welcoming and inclusive work environment that reflects the communities we serve
•  We teach and train the next generation of legal service professionals

Job Description:

This position is an ideal opportunity for individuals interested in a career in law, public policy, or social work. Applicants must be prepared to handle a high volume of cases and to interact with a diverse client population in a sensitive and professional manner. Applicants must have excellent analytical skills so as to assess whether clients have a legal basis for appeal based on medical evidence. No medical background is necessary for the position but applicants should demonstrate a strong commitment to public service and have strong writing skills. The successful candidates will work closely with NYLAG's experienced attorneys and case handlers, and will receive both on-the-job and more formal training

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Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidates will primarily handle cases that fall within the scope of NYLAG's State-funded Disability Advocacy Project. These are cases in which impoverished New Yorkers who receive public benefits have been inappropriately denied Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Specific responsibilities include conducting intake interviews of individuals denied SSI and SSDI benefits, obtaining and reviewing medical records, researching federal regulations and medical journals, and representing clients at administrative law hearings. The paralegal will carry his or her own case load. The position is in NYLAG's Public Benefits Unit (PBU)

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Qualifications:

A 2 or 4 year college degree plus 1 year of relevant work experience or 3-5 years of relevant work experience required. Applicants with Spanish or Russian proficiency (i.e. capable of conducting a client interview in the language) and those who have worked for legal or social services organizations will be given priority. To start on or after August 27, 2018.

Application Requirements:

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

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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

BENEFITS
Excellent benefits

LEVEL OF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
None

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL
Entry level

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED
4-year degree

HOW TO APPLY

Please click on the link to apply:

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=dd007530-f80f-4abe-bdff-ccf12483f337&jobId=252356&lang=en_US&source=CC3&ccId=19000101_000001