Attorney- LSEJ/ Direct Legal Services- Senior Community Connection

General Responsibilities:

Working with JASA social workers provide a full range of civil legal services to eligible individuals 60 and older in housing, family and supreme courts and before administrative agencies. Assess at-risk individuals for program services; assisting with preventing evictions, obtaining necessary repairs, public benefits and stopping abuse. Provide legal information and counsel to social workers and other professionals working with clients in the community. The attorney will also conduct community education and outreach. Supervises and trains students and attorneys as appropriate.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Provides a full range of legal services in a competent and timely manner. These services include:

a) Administrative hearings before public and private agencies and authorities

b) Litigations in state and federal courts

c) Appellate practice

d) Drafting pleadings and other legal documents

e) Obtaining and reviewing documents and records

f) Legal research and writing

g) Negotiating and settling matters

h) Interviewing clients and providing appropriate advice

i) Referral to other sources of legal assistance

Works with and supervises students, new attorneys, Title V and volunteer staff.

Represents the program and directs operations in the absence of the Director of Legal Services.

Participates in staff meetings, training seminars and community activities as appropriate.

Provides legal information, education and assistance to social workers, senior centers and community agencies.

Maintains required case records, reports and statistics in a timely and complete manner.

Reassess clients’ needs on an ongoing basis and revises case plans as appropriate.

Participates in staff hiring, staff meetings, program planning and conferences

Handles special assignments and duties as assigned.

Performs other related tasks as requested or assigned.

Requirements:

Ability to handle large individual caseload and complex litigation, including class actions.

Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.

Graduate of accredited law school with J.D. Degree.

Minimum of two years prior legal experience involving law and the elderly. 

NYS Admission or pending admission to the New York Bar.

Must be computer literate, and willing to learn program-specific software.  

Good writing/record keeping skills.

Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.

Ability to travel to clients' homes using mass transit and to negotiate any steps and barriers in clients' residences.

SUBJECT TO REVIEW FOR PURPOSES OF ADAAA

JASA is committed to Equal Opportunity Employment