Staff Attorney, Civil Practice

Veteran Advocacy Project (VAP) seeks an attorney who is passionate about veterans and social justice to join our civil practice.

VAP provides free legal services to low-income veterans and their families, with a focus on those living with post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injury, and substance dependency. The VA's records indicate that an average of 17 veterans die by suicide each day—too many struggle with mental health conditions and the effects of trauma. Our services provide access to health care and benefits, open the door to education and employment, keep families in their homes, and empower veterans by removing barriers to recovery.

VAP partners with VA Vet centers, community health clinics, and veterans’ organizations to reach individuals where they are. While our attorneys tackle the legal challenges, our advocates connect clients to culturally competent, trauma-informed resources.

VAP represents veterans and their families in three main practice areas. Our civil legal services are centered around homelessness prevention. In addition to providing advice and referrals on a variety of civil legal issues, VAP represents veterans and their families in court and at administrative hearings. Our Department of Veterans Affairs ("VA") practice represents veterans on character of discharge determinations, overpayments, mental health disability compensation appeals, and apportionment issues. VAP’s Department of Defense ("DOD") practice fights to correct unjust less-than-honorable discharges that brand a veteran for life and increase the likelihood of justice-involvement, suicide, and homelessness.

The staff attorney will provide advice and representation in housing, public benefits, consumer debt, and other civil legal matters. VAP's housing practice is focused on our partnerships with organizations in the VA's SSVF program; we do not have any city-funded housing contracts that require minimum case counts or income restrictions. The staff attorney will work with partners in our MLPs, such as Vet Centers and Community Healthcare Network clinics, and with the SSVF teams at collaborating social services agencies. The staff attorney will be expected to appear, in person, when required by courts/administrative entities, and to staff in-person intake clinics and resource fairs throughout the five boroughs. At all other times, the staff attorney will have the ability to work remotely.

VAP believes a diverse team is essential to our work. Candidates with military service, prior experience working with veterans, people with disabilities, women, people of color, and individuals from marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Represent clients in New York City courts and in administrative hearings;
• Conduct intake, training, and special events at partner organizations’ sites;
• Provide telephonic and/or written advice to clients as needed;
• Research legal issues;
• Work with the VAP team on case strategies and integration of services to meet clients’ needs;
• Track client information in our database, attend team meetings, supervise interns, perform administrative tasks related to the work.

Qualifications:

• J.D. and current membership in good standing of the New York State Bar;
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in legal services;
• Strong work ethic and ability to take initiative; efficacy in organizing and prioritizing;
• Demonstrated proficiency in legal research; excellent analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including a commitment to providing trauma-informed services and the ability to work with people living with mental illness, substance use disorders, and traumatic brain injury;
• Dedication to serving all clients, without regard to discharge status or justice involvement.

The salary for this position will be based on an annual rate in the range of $74,000 – $86,000 and will be commensurate with experience. The benefits package includes employer-paid healthcare premiums, life insurance, 401K, etc.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume “[YourLastName], Civil Attorney” in the subject line to CONTACT@veteranadvocacy.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Veteran Advocacy Project is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.