AmeriCorps Member: Medical-Legal Partnership Attorney

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Job location
4 Rock Door Canyon Road
Monument Valley, UT 84536
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
DNA-People's Legal Services
Street address: 
PO Box 987
City: 
Shiprock
State: 
New Mexico
ZIP: 
87420
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

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. AmeriCorps Member will ideally begin between November 1, 2016 and November 15, 2016 and in place for one year. Members may be eligible to continue their service for two additional one-year terms.
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 the Navajo Nation. 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 position is open in Monument Valley, UT.

The AmeriCorps Member will provide direct legal assistance to low-income patients at Utah Navajo Health System. 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 in 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. All 14 members will attend the week-long MLP Boot Camp in Albuquerque, NM in December 2016. The MLP Boot camp will train each member 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, AmeriCorps updates, etc.

Requirements: 

Qualifications
• Utah bar membership or eligibility to waive into the Utah bar
• Navajo bar membership or eligibility to take the next bar exam
• 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 Excel, Word, etc. programs
• 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 ideally by November 15, 2016 (flexible)

To apply: 

Please send cover letter and resume to [email protected]. For more information, contact Heather Hoechst at (505) 368-3200.

Application deadline is October 31, 2016; however, applicants are encouraged to apply sooner as applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Notes: 
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. Why become and 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.
Salary range: 
The AmeriCorps Member will receive annual living allowance. Additionally, members will receive a Segal Education Award, health insurance, child care benefit eligibility and other benefits. Interested applicants should contact [email protected]