Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Veterans Legal Corps Fellowships
with Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.®
August 3, 2017
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.® (LawNY®) is a not-for-profit law firm providing free legal services to eligible clients in civil cases through seven regional offices covering a fourteen county area in Western New York. LawNY® receives funding from the New York State Office of Court Administration, Legal Services Corporation, Interest on Lawyer Account (IOLA) Fund of the State of New York, AmeriCorps, Equal Justice Works and a number of other funders. Our workforce includes approximately 145 attorneys, paralegals and support staff.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Equal Justice Works and AmeriCorps have partnered to create the Veterans Legal Corps (VLC) Fellowship, an opportunity to aid the legal needs of veterans and military families across the nation. VLC Fellows provide civil legal assistance to veterans and military families.
LawNY® has (2) VLC Fellowships available for the 2017-2018 program year. These are one year Fellowships that can be renewed for a second year. One Fellow will be placed in LawNY®’s Rochester office, working in an established partnership with the Veterans’ Outreach Center. The second Fellow will be placed in LawNY®’s Jamestown office, and will expand on new partnerships that have been developed to make legal services an important component of local veteran’s services. Based on Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps guidelines, the initial one year term of service must commence on or before September 30, 2017. Requirements include completion of National Sex Offender Public Registry check, state(s), and FBI Fingerprint criminal background checks as well as compliance with all Corporation for National and Community Service federal regulations throughout the Fellowship program. Qualified candidates should be prepared to attend the Equal Justice Works Annual Leadership Development Training which will take place from October 31-November 2, 2017.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
The Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps VLC Fellow will:
• Provide direct representation to veterans and military families on issues including landlord-tenant matters, home foreclosures, VA and other government benefits, child support and other family law matters, consumer and medical debt, and the removal of barriers to employment
• Work with community partner agencies, including case management staff at the VA hospitals, VA clinics, and Veterans’ Centers in the area to create protocols and facilitate referrals, as well as work with the local bar and law schools/colleges to recruit volunteers
• Develop materials to publicize the project to a variety of audiences
• Deliver presentations at Veterans’ Centers on legal topics of broad appeal and create educational materials to be shared with host staff statewide
• Other administrative tasks related to AmeriCorps and Equal Justice Works program compliance
COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS:
Compensation:
● AmeriCorps living allowance of $24,930
● Supplemental benefits paid by LawNY® of up to $21,000 for qualified living expenses such as housing, student loans, gas, water, electric, internet, cell phone, relocation and grocery gift cards. Fellows are required to submit monthly documentation of qualifying expenses before reimbursement can be provided.
Other benefits:
● $5,815 AmeriCorps Legal Education Award upon successful completion of service
● Student loan forbearance and interest accrual payment for eligible loans upon successful completion of service
● Health insurance, for Fellows who are not otherwise covered
● AmeriCorps provided childcare assistance, if eligibility requirements are met
● Participation in Equal Justice Works training opportunities and conferences, as applicable
● Reimbursement for work-related travel, professional development, and training opportunities
QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants should be admitted to practice in New York or recent law school graduates who have sat for the July 2017 NYS bar examination. The Fellow will be required to have excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal, organizational and negotiation skills and the ability to work as a team member. Knowledge of veterans’ benefits law and/or experience with veterans and military families is preferred. Military service or related-military background, including status as a military dependent, is also preferred. Diverse economic, social and cultural experiences and/or a second language are an asset.
TO APPLY: Applicants should submit a cover letter describing qualifications, resume, writing sample and the name and contact information for three references by August 21, 2017 to ensure full consideration. Applications will be accepted beyond that date until the position is filled. Applications should be addressed to Thomas Dubel, Deputy Director, and sent to the following e-mail address: [email protected]. The selected Fellows must be able to start on or before September 30, 2016.
LawNY® is an equal opportunity employer. LawNY® encourages applications from diverse candidates. LawNY® welcomes applications regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or any other consideration protected by law.