AmeriCorps Member: Medical-Legal Partnership Attorney Member
Program Start/End Date: Immediate. Members will serve a one-year term from first available start date. Members may be eligible to continue their service for an additional one-year term.
Schedule: Full Time
Education Level: JD/Law Grad
New Mexico Legal Aid has received a multi-state grant from AmeriCorps to host one-year AmeriCorps members to facilitate the medical-legal partnership (MLP) program serving American Indians and Alaskan Natives throughout the US. 14 members will be recruited throughout the US as follows: six attorneys in Alaska (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Nome, Sitka), four attorneys in Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), and one attorney in each Arizona (Phoenix), Nebraska (Omaha), New Mexico (Albuquerque) and Utah (Montezuma Creek). The attorney selected will be housed at host site’s local office.
Practice Areas: Children's Rights, Consumer Protection/Debt/Bankruptcy, Disability Law/Rights, Education, Elder Law, Employment/Labor, Family Law, General Legal Services, Health Law, Housing/Landlord-Tenant, Juvenile Issues, LGBTQ, Litigation, Native American/Indian/Tribal Law, Poverty, Probate/Trust & Estate Issues, Public Benefits/Social Security, Racial Justice Issues, Women's Rights
Member Description
AmeriCorps member will offer trainings for health providers and comprehensive legal assistance for low-income patients at partnering hospital or health clinic serving tribal members from the Navajo Nation, New Mexico’s 19 Pueblo tribal communities and other eligible tribes. By focusing on cases that promote income growth, housing stability, and personal safety, the MLP uses legal advocacy as a tool to address social determinants of health. The AmeriCorps member positions may be based in Albuquerque, Santa Fe or Santa Ana, NM.
The AmeriCorps Member will provide direct legal assistance to low-income patients at First Nations Community HealthSource. Areas of legal advocacy include public benefits, housing, special education, domestic violence, elder law, family law, and consumer law. The AmeriCorps Member will be an attorney authorized to practice, or waive into, the state and/or tribal court, and before administrative agencies. The AmeriCorps Member will be responsible for providing periodic trainings and presentations to providers at medical facilities, as well as for regularly consulting with medical providers.
Although AmeriCorps members will work independently at their local location, member will be part of a national collaborative network of members to improve social determinants of health for American Indians and Alaskan Natives. Members will receive training on vision of the project and arm each member with the tools to nurture each new attorney-hospital partnership. Each member will have a local litigation supervisor for day-to-day activities. Project support will be provided by the MLP Project Director, including monthly conference calls and AmeriCorps updates.
Living Allowance
The AmeriCorps Member will receive an annual living allowance as determined by AmeriCorps. Additionally, members will receive a Segal Education Award, health insurance, and other benefits. Interested applicants should contact [email protected] with any follow up questions.
Other Benefits Provided:
• Health and dental insurance provided
• Parking provided
• Position related travel reimbursement and bar dues provided
Member placement is contingent upon ability to pass AmeriCorps, State and Tribal-mandated criminal background checks.
Why become an AmeriCorps Member?
Help your community: Know that you are giving your time, talent, wisdom, and experience to your community and neighbors who need you.
Help yourself: Through service, you can add to the quality and health of your life. Research indicates that volunteers enjoy better health, make new friendships, stay active and involved in the community, and learn new skills.
Make a difference: Be part of a national movement to transform America through the involvement of its citizens.
Save money for the organizations you serve: By donating your time and skills, you help make funds go farther for organizations that address critical needs in your community.
Qualifications
• New Mexico bar membership or eligibility to waive into the New Mexico bar, or eligibility to take the next available bar exam.
• Navajo Nation or relevant Pueblo tribal bar membership or eligibility to take the next bar exam, if applicable
• Demonstrated commitment to public service
• Legal experience assisting persons with low incomes (may include student legal clinics, internships)
• Knowledge of the legal issues impacting persons with low incomes
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a variety of contexts
• Prior experience in managing independent projects or assignments
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs and Client Management Software
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to travel throughout the surrounding region
• Those with experience regarding Indian Law strongly encouraged to apply
• Ability to begin program no later than August 1, 2017
Application Instructions:
Please send a current resume and letter explaining what you hope to accomplish if you are selected for this position to: [email protected]. Application deadline is June 3, 2017, however candidates are encouraged to apply sooner as applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or veteran status.