PUBLIC BENEFITS ATTORNEY-ALBANY OFFICE
Empire Justice Center, a highly respected, statewide nonprofit law firm, is seeking a Public Benefits Attorney to join our team. This is an opportunity to join one of the most effective organizations serving low-income individuals and families in New York State.
Empire Justice Center attracts and employs dedicated, determined and passionate advocates who, together, make a significant impact on the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We achieve our successes through direct legal representation and high impact litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, and by providing training and technical assistance to other advocates who are working towards the same goals.
Our organization offers staff an exciting and dynamic working environment and a strong commitment to teamwork, diversity, and personal/professional development.
The Position:
The work will primarily focus on identifying and addressing systemic barriers to the receipt of government benefits (cash assistance, food stamps and child care) and child support issues affecting low- income New Yorkers. The successful candidate will be expected to address these issues as part of a team through direct legal assistance, impact litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy and by providing training and support to others in the community. We are looking for a self-motivated, independent advocate who will, over time, develop sufficient expertise to be an active member of the team, help coordinate our work and become a leader in the field.
Primary responsibilities will include:
The ideal candidate will have several years of public benefits experience, but we will consider a person with strong interest in public benefits who demonstrates the ability to litigate and lead. In addition to litigation interest and experience, the successful candidate will be expected to write or to coordinate research and writing topics relevant and informative to policymakers. Work environment is collegial, cooperative, and fast-paced.
Candidates for this position will have:
• JD with 1-5 years experience
• Public benefits experience
• Litigation experience or a deep interest in pursuing litigation in this area
• Bilingual Spanish, both written and verbal, highly desired
• Be able to produce high quality written material, meet tight deadlines, and to work both independently and as part of a team
• Have strong analytical and writing skills
• Be admitted to practice in New York
Applications will be accepted until 8/7/2017.
If interested e-mail a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three professional references to: (No phone calls or hard copies please). Incomplete packets will not be accepted.
Rebecah Corcoran
Human Resources Manager
[email protected]