Staff Attorneys Health And Independence Unit

Community Legal Services, Inc. of Philadelphia (CLS) is a non-profit public interest agency providing free civil legal services to low-income Philadelphia residents. As the largest provider of free civil legal services in the Philadelphia area, CLS is both locally and nationally renowned as a premier legal services provider dedicated to ensuring access to justice for all low-income individuals and communities. We provide high quality direct legal representation, engage in systemic policy advocacy with the goal of effectuating broad-based change, and conduct community education and outreach. CLS has ten legal units covering a wide range of civil legal services.

CLS is seeking two staff attorneys for the Health and Independence (H&I) Unit. The H&I Unit represents low-income people, families, domestic violence survivors, immigrants, older adults, and people with disabilities on a wide range of issues including accessing public benefits, preventing institutionalization, and ensuring access to healthcare and health insurance. We also advocate to maintain economic stability by preventing interruption or reduction of Social Security or SSI benefits and fighting inappropriate reductions in Home and Community Based Services so that older adults and people with disabilities can maximize their independence and safely remain in their communities. Advocates may also work to prevent unnecessary guardianships or violations of the rights of persons who have guardians.

The H&I Unit fights for the rights of people to make their own decisions about their lives, and to access the health care, public benefits, and supportive services they need to thrive. The staff attorney position provides an exciting opportunity to handle a significant volume of individual cases as well as to participate in systemic advocacy through administrative, legislative and policy advocacy, and class actions and other impact litigation. The staff attorney would be expected work with advocacy organizations, community organizations, governmental partners, and clients to move systemic advocacy forward. The staff attorney may have the opportunity to specialize in certain areas of practice, for example in issues affecting older adults or in public benefits advocacy, depending on experience and interests.

The H&I Unit advocates with multiple government entities including the PA Department of Human Services, the PA Department of Health, the Social Security Administration, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Orphans Court.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse populations
• Excellent negotiation and analytical skills
• Excellent client interviewing skills
• Experience and interest in policy and other forms of advocacy
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Excellent work ethic, organization, and communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest work
• Illustrate a high level commitment to racial justice advocacy
• Exhibit sound professional and legal judgment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Litigation experience
• Experience in public benefits law
• Experience working with issues affecting older adults and people with disabilities
• Experience supervising others

To Apply: CLS will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position has been filled. However, candidates are highly encouraged to submit their application by Friday, September 9, 2022 for consideration for first round interviews. You can submit your application on CLS’s website online at:
https://clsphiladelphia.applytojob.com/apply/qcey31tDDD/Staff-Attorneys-... OR https://clsphila.org/careers/

What to Include in your application: Please include a cover letter, resume, three professional references and one brief writing sample (10 pages or less). CLS values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply. CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

The staff attorney position is a full-time position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between CLS and the Philadelphia Legal Services Union N.O.L.S.W./Local 2320/UAW. The current minimum starting salary is governed by that agreement and is subject to change according to the provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement. Raises and benefits are also governed by that agreement.

Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. CLS does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, CLS complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.