Staff Attorney

Job Announcement

Staff Attorney

The Legal Action Center (LAC) seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to engage in direct legal services, litigation, and education to protect the rights of people with stigmatized and criminalized health conditions, including substance use disorder and HIV. This position will focus on in-person community lawyering to help LAC’s legal services reach people in their communities.

Position Overview: The primary focus of this job includes conducting legal education and intakes at different NYC locations, providing direct legal services to clients, engaging in LAC’s health-related litigation, and offering technical assistance to New York health and social service providers. The Staff Attorney will report to LAC’s Deputy Director of Litigation and Legal Services, and work closely with other members of the legal department. The position is based in New York City. LAC has instituted a hybrid work model that offers the opportunity to work remotely some of the time. COVID-19 vaccination and boosters are preferred.

About the Organization: LAC advocates for people who use drugs, are in recovery, live with HIV/AIDS or mental health conditions, or have arrest/conviction records. Through our legal services and litigation, we help people minimize disclosure of private information and address discrimination, which too often blocks employment opportunities, health care, housing, and more.

LAC's legal team provides services to over 1,000 New Yorkers annually and reaches thousands more through education and technical assistance, informing initiatives like Clean Slate NY. Visit our website to learn more about our legal services and impact litigation.

Job Responsibilities: The Staff Attorney will:

• Participate in direct legal services and litigation focusing on LAC’s work to enforce laws that prohibit discrimination and protect the privacy of people who use or used drugs or are living with HIV/AIDS. This includes:

o conducting client intakes in person at community sites and remotely;

o evaluating requests for legal assistance and investigating and developing potential cases;

o conducting legal research and drafting legal memoranda;

o engaging in out-of-court advocacy and pre-litigation negotiations and settlements;

o representing individuals in administrative proceedings;

o working on litigation in federal and state courts;

o helping clients self-advocate when facing barriers to employment, healthcare, and other needs;

o collaborating with co-counsel, other legal organizations, community-based organizations, and directly impacted individuals; and

o participating in related communications activities.

• Conduct know-your-rights trainings – virtually and in person – to directly impacted individuals and other community partners;
• Provide legal counsel to health and social service providers, government agencies, lawyers, and others working in LAC’s issue areas;
• Develop multimedia educational materials;
• Supervise paralegal, law student, and administrative staff work on specified matters;
• Participate in policy discussions to help shape LAC’s policy agenda and engage in limited policy advocacy related to LAC’s litigation and legal services work; and
• Collaborate with staff in the legal, policy, communications, and development departments on issues related to LAC’s mission.

Required:

• J.D. and admission to the New York State Bar or willingness to promptly apply for admission
• At least 2 years of legal services/litigation experience
• Prior work with underrepresented communities, e.g., people living with HIV, substance use disorders, or criminal legal system involvement
• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and equity
• Strong interviewing skills and comfort in talking to people about sensitive issues
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills
• Excellent written and oral communication and advocacy skills, including ability to explain legal concepts in plain language
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively and engage with coworkers, directly impacted individuals, other advocates, and external stakeholders
• Experience conducting trainings and creating educational materials
• Excellent time-management skills and attention to detail
• Familiarity with employment laws, disability rights, health privacy laws, substance use, and/or HIV-related issues a plus
• Spanish fluency a plus

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $72,000 to $82,000 per year. Excellent benefits include medical insurance, a 403(b) plan with employer contribution, and pre-tax flexible benefits.

Application Instructions

Please submit your cover letter, résumé, and writing sample of up to five pages as a single PDF document (no calls, please) to humanresources@lac.org and write “Health Staff Attorney” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Legal Action Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals directly affected or impacted are strongly encouraged to apply.

Excellent benefits include medical insurance, a 403(b) plan with employer contribution, and pre-tax flexible benefits.

Spanish fluency is a plus.