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 are virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 300 impacted the lives of nearly 90,000 people last year.
Mission
The New York Legal Assistance Group uses the power of the law to help New Yorkers experiencing poverty or in crisis combat economic, racial, and social injustice. We address emerging and urgent needs with comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving clients whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality.
Values that guide us
- We reduce the effects of poverty by providing high quality, effective civil legal services.
- We strive to serve individuals and communities through a race equity lens to counteract systemic racism.
- We work to create a welcoming and inclusive work environment that reflects the communities we serve.
- We achieve systemic change through class actions, impact litigation and by advocating for just laws and policies.
- 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 teach and train the next generation of legal service professionals.
Job Description:
NYLAG seeks a highly motivated staff attorney to assist New York City veterans with applications to the Department of Defense Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records. The attorney will be responsible for conducting outreach, preparing comprehensive applications, appearing before administrative boards, and providing community and professional presentations on different military and veteran law topics.
Duties and Responsibilities:
This attorney’s primary responsibilities include:
- Provide direct representation to veteran clients, including: counseling, investigation, research, drafting, and preparation of discharge upgrade applications;
- Conduct extensive screenings and assist with alternative methods of relief and benefit access;
- Administrative duties, including: updating NYLAG case management systems, maintaining and updating files and case notes, and assisting in grant reporting as needed;
- Engage and conduct outreach across NYC, addressing barriers to accessing services;
- Provide internal and external referrals to help connect clients with other legal and social services;
- 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;
- Attend internal staff meetings and meetings with partner agencies and funders as needed;
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Current member in good standing of a state bar; expected to apply to the NYS Bar, if not currently admitted, upon hiring;
- Experience with the discharge upgrade and record correction process, including applications to the Discharge Review Boards/Boards for Correction of Military Records;
- Excellent communication, research, and writing skills are required;
- Strong organizational and administrative skills are required;
- Experience working with diverse populations;
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently;
- Commitment to social justice and veterans’ issues;
- Preference will be given to veterans and/or attorneys with prior experience assisting veterans.
To be considered, send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample.
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
☐ Part-time
☐ Temporary
Professional Level:
☐ Entry Level
☒ Professional
☐ Managerial
Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience.
Benefits: Excellent benefits. |