Temporary Staff Attorney

About NYLAG:

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combating 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 370 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job description

LegalHealth, a division of the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), has an opening for a temporary staff attorney to join one of the longest standing and the largest Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) in the country. Please note that this is a temporary position that will start in June and last approximately six months.

LegalHealth partners with a diverse array of medical professionals in 38 hospitals throughout  New York to address the health harming legal needs of low-income people with serious health problems.  LegalHealth complements health care with legal care – providing free legal services in medical facilities and training healthcare professionals to understand both the legal issues their patients may encounter and the relationship between health and legal advocacy. Using a holistic approach to address Social Determinants of Health, LegalHealth attorneys practice as generalists, representing clients on a myriad of legal matters that are often connected to a diagnosis or chronic health condition.  LegalHealth plays a leadership role in the expanding MLP movement, helping others to start or sustain their own MLPs. This position reports to their supervising attorney.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for staffing 1-2 legal clinics at a hospital partner, fulfilling the hospital clearance requirements, and providing on-site legal assistance to patients and community members, many of whom are coping with serious or chronic health conditions.
• Provide legal services for a wide range of issues including: benefits, housing, employment, immigration, and advance planning.
• The attorney will also be responsible for some training of hospital staff to foster better communication and stronger relationships.

Qualifications

• Admitted to practice law in New York.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong research and writing skills.
• Ability to both empathize with clients’ challenges and help to problem solve is critically important.
• Demonstrated interest in working with low-income, disabled, and/or disadvantaged clients.
• Ability to speak a language other than English, especially Spanish, is a plus

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:

• Temporary

Professional Level:

• Professional

Salary Range: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $77,117 - $85,892

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.