Director of HIV/LGBT Advocacy

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Job location
1 West 125th Street, 2 FL
NY, NY 10027
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Manhattan Legal Services
State: 
New York
ZIP: 
10027
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

MANHATTAN LEGAL SERVICES (MLS) is seeking a dynamic and experienced attorney to serve as Director of our HIV/LGBT Advocacy and Government Benefits work. The Director will supervise staff members providing comprehensive civil legal services to people living with HIV, advocating for the rights of the low-income LGBT population and providing legal assistance to clients applying for or seeking to maintain benefits such as public assistance, Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps). Staff members also engage in community education and outreach to increase access, maximize the staff’s visibility in the community and to promote the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS and the LGBT population in Manhattan. The Director of the HIV/LGBT Advocacy and Government Benefits will be responsible for developing priorities and will directly supervise 6-7 people.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

--Provide supervision and professional development opportunities for the attorneys and paralegals representing clients;
--Lead the development of priorities and implementation of work in those areas;
--Develop and participate in affirmative litigation and advocacy projects in the areas of HIV and LGBT practice;
--Develop and participate in affirmative litigation and advocacy projects in government benefits;
--Work with other LSNYC advocates;
--Forge collaborative relationships with community leaders;
--Manage city, state and private contracts funding this work and seek to increase funding for services as needed;
--Participate as a member of the MLS management team to help ensure that MLS provides the highest quality legal services to Manhattan residents.

Requirements: 

Applicants must have the following qualifications: J.D and admission or eligibility for admission to the New York State Bar; at least seven years’ experience providing civil legal services to low income people or comparable relevant experience; experience serving clients with HIV or serving LGBT clients strongly preferred; government benefits experience strongly preferred; ability to articulate a vision for the work; a strong background in litigation in state and federal courts; excellent legal writing and advocacy skills; excellent interpersonal and communication skills; excellent teaching/training skills and demonstrated supervisory skills; ability to communicate effectively and supervise individuals from diverse backgrounds; and ability to work effectively with local organizations;

MLS serves low income people throughout Manhattan at three office locations. We are affiliated with Legal Services NYC, the largest provider of free civil legal services for low-income people in the country. The Manhattan office is dedicated to providing high quality legal services in the areas of housing, family law, public benefits, employment, immigration, and consumer and disability rights. We work in partnership with community-based organizations in the low-income communities we serve in order to address the causes of homelessness, hunger and family disintegration. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated leader and attorney.

To apply: 

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references by email to [email protected] Please put “Director HIV/LGBT and Government Benefits” in the subject line.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity EmploManhattan Legal Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender persons, and persons over 40 are welcome and are encouraged to apply. Bar Associations and other organization: Manhattan Legal Services seeks and welcomes your recommendations for candidates who meet the foregoing qualifications and, in addition, requests that you or your organization encourage such candidates to apply.
Submission deadline: 
Monday, July 11, 2016