Staff Attorney or Supervising Attorney
Disability Advocacy Project
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
Employment status: Full-Time FLSA Status: Exempt
Practice Group: Disability Advocacy Project
I. Organization Information
Empire Justice Center, a highly respected, statewide legal services organization seeks a Supervising Attorney. This is an opportunity to join one of the most effective organizations serving low-income individuals and families in New York State.
Empire Justice Center attracts and employs dedicated, determined, and passionate advocates who, together, make a significant impact on the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We achieve our successes through direct legal representation and high-impact litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, and by providing training and technical assistance to other advocates who are working towards the same goals.
Our offices in Rochester, Albany, Westchester County, and Long Island offer staff an exciting and dynamic working environment and a strong commitment to teamwork, diversity, and personal/professional development.
II. Position Summary
Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce an opening for a Staff Attorney or Supervising Attorney for the Disability Advocacy Project. Empire Justice Center will fill this position with either a Staff Attorney or a Supervising Attorney, based on the applicant’s experience and qualifications. If this position is filled with a Staff Attorney, the expectation is that this position will develop into a Supervising Attorney, to meet the immediate needs of the practice group.
The DAP Supervising Attorney represents low-income individuals with disabilities before the Social Security Administration and in federal court in appealing the denial or termination of their federal disability benefits (SSI and SSD). The Supervising Attorney also provides supervision to members of the Empire Justice DAP direct service team in Rochester.
III. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Preparing written memoranda;
• Keeping accurate case and time records;
• Developing medical and other evidence;
• Participate in federal court litigation, as needed;
• Assisting with reporting on government contracts.
• Respond to client, community, and staff concerns;
• Assist with developing outreach in the Rochester community;
• Supervising, mentoring, and training of DAP direct service staff;
• Maintain individual caseload representing clients before SSA and in federal court;
• Maintaining professional, compassionate and effective relationships with clients;
• Evaluating and updating DAP processes and procedures related to direct service;
• Attending and participating in CLE events relevant to Social Security disability appeals;
• Working to ensure provision of high quality representation by DAP direct service team;
• Interviewing clients and providing legal advice about the Social Security appeals process;
• Advocating for clients before SSA and other agencies involved the disability appeals process;
• Analyzing legal issues through review of documents, client meetings, and legal research;
• Developing an in-depth knowledge of Social Security disability law, policy, and procedures;
• Working with team to identify and address systemic problems faced by DAP direct service clients;
• Engaging in hearing advocacy through oral argument, direct and cross-examination, and introduction of evidence;
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by your supervisor and/or to meet the needs of the organization.
IV. Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
• Legal Research
• Legal Advocacy
• Microsoft Office
• Client Experience
• Document Drafting
• Organizational Skills
• Ability to Work on a Team
• Oral Communication Skills
• Written Communication Skills
• Minimum 5 years of legal practice experience
• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited US law school or international equivalent
• Admission to New York State Bar and in good standing as a member of the NYS bar
Preferred Qualifications
• Bilingual in Spanish
V. SALARY
Salary is dependent on years of experience and based on the organizational pay scale. The beginning salary for this position, with 5 years of experience, is $62,580, and the salary for this position, with 9 years of experience, is $70,580.
VI. BENEFITS
We are an organization that supports and encourages a work/life balance. Empire Justice Center offers a generous benefit package including:
❖ Health insurance (100% employer contribution toward health insurance premiums)
❖ Dental Insurance (employee paid).
❖ Vision Insurance (employee paid).
❖ Health and Dependent Care FSA Eligibility.
❖ 403(b) eligibility with 1% employer match.
❖ Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
❖ Bilingual compensation for qualifying employees.
❖ Generous vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time.
❖ Generous bereavement leave.
❖ 35-hour full-time work week.
Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and desires a diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age (40 or older), sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested, please email a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and contact information for 3 professional references to: employment@empirejustice.org. Please include “DAP Attorney, First/Last Name” in the subject line of the email. No phone calls or hard copies please. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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