Staff Attorney (MLP)

Organization Overview:

For over 35 years, the Legal Clinic for the Disabled (LCD) has worked to empower low-income people with disabilities and the deaf and hard of hearing in the Philadelphia region by providing free legal representation to overcome legal obstacles that would otherwise affect clients' independence, health, or quality of life. LCD is headquartered in Center City, and our practice areas include family, housing, planning documents, public benefits, and social security law. Through LCD's Medical-Legal Partnership Initiative, staff work directly with medical partners at multiple sites across Philadelphia, and through our Housing Initiative, LCD actively participates in the Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project. Additionally, we conduct general telephone intake and hold Community Legal Outreach Clinics. Last year alone, LCD served over 1,900 clients and more than 2,000 additional household members, furthering our mission to foster inclusion, independence, and justice for all.

Position Overview:

An LCD staff attorney provides high quality legal services to low-income people with disabilities in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The staff attorney will primarily work with LCD’s Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) Initiative. The staff attorney will provide on-site direct legal services at one or more of LCD’s MLP sites, including advice, administrative advocacy, in-court representation; host community outreach and education events; and assist with general telephone intake. The staff attorney will also assist clients through LCD’s Housing Initiative by providing direct representation to low-income tenants.

The staff attorney will handle cases from intake to resolution in accordance in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility. This includes interviewing clients, conducting research, preparing legal documents, negotiating case resolutions, discovery and motion practice, and providing direct representation in both administrative and civil court proceedings. The staff attorney will provide training and support to medical providers and hospital staff at the MLP site on substantive legal issues. The attorney will supervise, train, and support legal interns and other student interns. The ideal candidate has litigation experience with a working knowledge of one or more of the following substantive areas: SSI/SSDI, landlord/tenant law, family law, public benefits, and advance planning documents.

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct legal services to clients including advice, administrative advocacy, in-court representation, and referrals as needed
• Prepare training materials and presentations for health care partners and community members
• Present at community outreach events in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties
• Participate in a working group within the public interest community, advocacy group, or a community-based organization
• Create analytical and quantitative assessments of the MLP project
• Participate in other activities related to LCD’s mission including community education, writing of publishable materials, and submissions for presentations at professional conferences
• Publish community education materials
• Take on other duties and tasks as assigned

Qualifications:

• JD from an accredited law school required
• Admission to the PA Bar required
• Sensitivity to the special needs of individuals with disabilities
• Strong organizational, legal, writing, and administrative skills required
• A proven interest in the intersection of the law, policy and the needs of low-income people
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with a variety of individuals coming from diverse backgrounds
• Excellent organization and ability to prioritize work, plan and problem-solve, meet deadlines, and work well under pressure
• Spanish fluency a plus

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

The LCD staff attorney will be primarily staffing one or more of LCD’s MLP sites within Philadelphia. As such, the LCD staff attorney must be flexible and adaptable to the changing environments at the MLP site. The job requires travel to legal proceedings, client home visits, community meetings, travel between the MLP site and main office, and other locations.

This position is part of a bargaining unit of employees represented by UAW.

Legal Clinic for the Disabled (LCD) is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. LCD does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, LCD complies with all applicable state and local laws, governing nondiscrimination in employment.

LCD offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health benefits (for employees and children), a 403(b) retirement plan (with an employer match starting in July), generous vacation and holiday time (20 vacation days, 2 personal days, 8 sick days, and 13 holidays), reimbursement of attorney license and Philadelphia Bar Association fees, and at least 1 remote workday per week.