Health Law Attorney
Staff Attorney, Senior Attorney, Supervising Staff Attorney, or Supervising Senior Attorney
ROCHESTER – TELESCA CENTER (HYBRID/REMOTE Considered)
Employment Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Practice Group: Health Law
I. Organization Information
Empire Justice Center, a diverse and highly respected statewide legal services organization, seeks an Attorney for our Health Law Practice Group. This is an opportunity to join and grow in one of the most influential organizations serving marginalized low-income individuals and families in New York State, inspiring personal and professional growth. This position will be filled as either a Staff Attorney, Supervising Staff Attorney, Senior Attorney, or Supervising Senior Attorney, based on the organizational needs and the candidate's experience level at the time of hire.
Empire Justice Center attracts and employs a diverse team of dedicated, determined, and passionate advocates who significantly impact the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We succeed through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, and legislative and administrative advocacy. As an organization, we provide top-notch training and technical assistance to other advocates to ensure fairness and justice for New Yorkers. We thrive on our commitment to supporting justice for populations that have historically experienced high levels of oppression. These populations include racially diverse individuals and families experiencing poverty, housing insecurity, immigration issues, and domestic violence. Additionally, the organization advocates for people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and school-age children facing discrimination and violations of their civil rights in schools.
Our offices in Rochester, Albany, Westchester County, and Long Island offer staff an exciting, dynamic, inclusive working environment with a solid commitment to work/life balance, teamwork, diversity, wellness, and personal/professional development.
II. Position Summary
Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce an opening for either a Staff Attorney, Supervising Staff Attorney, Senior Attorney, or Supervising Senior Attorney for our Health Law Practice Group, working under the leadership of the Health Managing Attorney.
The Health Law Attorney will assist individual clients in navigating health coverage and public health programs by advising them about the programs, informing them of their rights, advocating for coverage and services, and assisting in appeals and hearings. This position will provide technical assistance to community-based organizations and conduct training for advocates and healthcare providers on health issues. The attorney will also participate in systemic administrative and legislative advocacy to improve healthcare access.
A Supervising Staff Attorney or a Supervising Senior Attorney would be responsible for the above responsibilities and supervise a practice group member.
III. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Travel to and work in the Rochester Telesca Center office is required to meet client and organizational needs.
o Hybrid. If the position is filled locally, it is eligible for a hybrid work request under the organizational policy.
o Remote. Empire Justice will consider remote applicants, provided they travel to the Rochester Telesca Center office and make necessary appearances when required.
• Must demonstrate high comfort and commitment to working with disadvantaged and disabled clientele.
• Frequently participate in face-to-face and/or telephonic conversations with clients, the general public, advocates/staff from other agencies, and other employees;
• Develop an in-depth knowledge of the law in health-related matters, including but not limited to access to Medicaid and Medicare services, public health insurance programs, MLTC issues, MMC issues, health insurance denials, billing issues, and nursing home residents rights;
• Provide legal education and substantive law training on health-related legal issues to the New York State health law community through CLEs and other formal/ informal methods;
• Identify systemic issues that create barriers to the receipt of affordable health insurance and medically necessary health care services for all New Yorkers;
• Undertake legislative and administrative advocacy aimed at improving access to justice in the area of health insurance and access to health care;
• Represent individual clients in post-enrollment health insurance issues;
• File internal and external health plan appeals (both commercial insurance and Medicaid/public health insurance programs);
• Represent appellants at Medicaid administrative hearings with the Office of Temporary and Disability Insurance;
• Represent Medicare clients in appeals to the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals;
• Participate in coalitions that advocate for the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrant populations, and other historically marginalized communities;
• Advocate on policy issues that are relevant to the larger legal services community and engage with advocacy groups and government agencies;
• Collaborate extensively with stakeholders, including state and national advocates, government agencies, and industry leaders in coalitions and other forums;
• Help keep New York State health advocates up to date on changes in Medicaid and other public health insurance issues through the NYHealthAccess website;
• Collect and report case and other data required by NYSOFA grant, including acting as HIICAP Coordinator;
• Please note that all positions will supervise other practice group members if needed.
• Due to limited resources, all staff are expected to perform administrative and other support-related duties to serve our clients and fulfill our mission as a non-profit legal services organization.
• Other duties as assigned by your supervisor and/or to meet the organization’s needs.
IV. Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited US law school or international equivalent;
• Admission to practice in New York State and good standing, or admission pending;
o For remote candidates: out-of-state admission with eligibility for pro hac vice status (with the expectation of New York admission within two years).
• For a Staff Attorney, at least 3 years of experience in health law, with advocacy on behalf of Medicaid and other public health insurance program recipients preferred;
• For a Senior Attorney, at least 7 years of experience in health law, with advocacy on behalf of Medicaid and other public health insurance program recipients preferred;
• For a Supervising Staff Attorney, at least 3 years of experience in health law, with advocacy on behalf of Medicaid and other public health insurance program recipients preferred;
• For a Supervising Senior Attorney, at least 7 years of experience in health law, with advocacy on behalf of Medicaid and other public health insurance program recipients preferred;
• Experience supervising legal staff if the position is filled with a Supervising Staff Attorney or Supervising Senior Attorney;
• Experience in and commitment to working with diverse and impoverished clientele;
• Experience with legislative and administrative advocacy preferred;
• Excellent legal research and writing skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent advocacy skills;
• Occasional lifting and moving of boxes and equipment up to 15 pounds;
• Occasional walking for extended lengths;
• Must be able to remain stationary during the work shift;
• Experience planning and conducting substantive health law training and CLEs;
• Demonstrated commitment to improving the lives and circumstances of those who have experienced poverty and discrimination;
• Effective decision-making skills and the ability to work under pressure and to shift priorities while working on multiple competing projects and deadlines;
• Substantial working knowledge of the procedures and rules of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance;
V. Salary
The referenced pay range/scale represents this job's estimated minimum and maximum compensation. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range and determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, market data, and internal equity considerations.
Staff Attorney and Senior Attorney Salary Step Scale
The salary for a Staff Attorney in this position, with 3 years of experience, is $58,580, and the salary for a Staff Attorney, with 10 years of experience, is $72,580.
The salary for a Senior Attorney in this position, with 7 years of experience, is $68,080, and the salary for a Senior Attorney, with 9 years of experience, is $72,080.
Supervising Attorney Salary Pay Range
Supervising Staff Attorney, 3-5 years of experience, $91,659-$93,439 (Upstate New York)
Supervising Staff Attorney, 3-5 years of experience, $97,659-$99,439 (Downstate New York)
Supervising Senior Attorney, 7-9 years of experience, $107,773-$112,843 (Upstate New York) Supervising Senior Attorney, 7-9 years of experience, $113,773-$118,843 (Downstate New York)
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 (employer pays 100% premium for a high quality, co-pay plan).
• 403(b) eligibility with 1% employer match and additional employer contribution.
• 3% Non-Elective Annual Contribution made by Empire Justice Center.
o Benefit eligible after 12 months of employment.
• Generous vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time
o 14 Paid Holidays
o Vacation: 10.5 hours/month; Sick: 7 hours/month; Personal: 35 hours/year
• Bilingual salary enhancement for qualifying employees.
• Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
• Voluntary Supplemental Disability.
• Dental Insurance (employee paid).
• Vision Insurance (employee paid).
• $150K Group Term Life Insurance.
• Generous Bereavement Leave.
• 35-hour full-time work week.
• NYS Short-Term Disability.
• FSA Eligibility.
Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly desires a diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, specifically - race, color, religion, age (40 or older), sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, disability status, genetics, neurodiversity, 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, e-mail a resume, writing sample, and contact information for three professional references (one supervisor required) who are aware of this application to employment@empirejustice.org. Please include “Health Law Attorney, First/Last Name” in the email's subject line. No phone calls or hard copies, please. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If reasonable accommodations are needed, please contact Mercedece Love, Human Resources and Compliance Manager, at mlove@empirejustice.org. Empire Justice Center is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Empire Justice Center ensures that persons with disabilities and/or communication barriers have reasonable accommodations.
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