Position: Staff Attorney - Planning and Estates Law Project (PELP)
Reports to: Director of the Legal Hotline and Special Programs, City Bar Justice Center
The City Bar Justice Center (CBJC) is a division of the City Bar Fund, the non-profit affiliate of the New York City Bar Association, one of the nation’s largest bar associations. The City Bar Justice Center assists low income New Yorkers with civil legal problems who cannot afford an attorney.
CBJC recruits, trains and mentors volunteer attorneys to provide advice and representation through numerous projects, providing direct representation, community education and online resources, and a telephone Legal Hotline, to 26,000 low-income New Yorkers who do not have access to other legal resources.
The CBJC is currently working remotely but anticipates returning to the City Bar building in midtown Manhattan when public health permits during 2021.
JOB FUNCTION
The Planning and Estates Law Project (PELP) Staff Attorney will work with a panel of experienced volunteer Trusts & Estates attorneys who provide free legal advice and assistance for probate/administration of estates and end of life planning. PELP combats poverty by helping low to moderate income clients to address their life planning needs, untangle estate problems and protect any assets that they have worked hard to save. Our goal is to empower clients to claim and conserve these assets so that poverty is not perpetuated because the client could not succeed to sustain family property or leave it for the next generation.
Areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to:
- Screen a high volume of cases; interview and record data on potential clients who need assistance with an estate or end of life planning matter;
- Provide legal advice and information; refer and present appropriate cases to the PELP panel;
- Serve as the liaison with the pro bono attorney panel;
- Along with the Project Coordinator, assist in placing PELP cases with volunteers and provide support to volunteers;
- Prepare legal documents and possibly handle a limited number of cases in Surrogate’s Court for representation;
- Along with Project Coordinator, manage PELP’s outreach efforts which include a medicallegal partnership, occasional collaborations with community groups, and intern recruitment from local law schools;
- Assist with supervision of project coordinator, interns, and volunteers.
REQUIREMENTS
- J.D. degree and admission to the NYS Bar;
- Minimum of 1-2 years of work experience as an attorney, preferably in Trusts & Estates;
- Availability to work remotely during regular office hours until return to the office is permitted;
- Flexibility to work one evening most weeks until 7:30 p.m. for conference call with volunteers;
- Outstanding verbal and writing skills;
- Culturally sensitive communication style;
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills;
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team;
- Passion for social justice and alignment with the City Bar Justice Center’s mission;
- Spanish language skills a plus.
We are looking for candidates who are willing to make at least a three year commitment to this role.
A generous benefits package is offered.
To apply, send a cover letter, resume and salary expectations via email to:
humanresources@nycbar.org and include Staff Attorney – PELP in the subject line.
The City Bar Justice Center is a proud equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We encourage diverse candidates to apply. It is the policy of the Organization to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, disability, arrest or conviction record, pregnancy, credit history, salary history, caregiver status, marital status, partnership status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, religion, sex, genetic information, military status, unemployment status or any other characteristic as protected by law. With regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related laws, the Organization will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.
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