Staff Attorney

About NYLAG:

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g., courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. NYLAG’s staff of over 400 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

The Special Litigation Unit collaborates with NYLAG attorneys across practice areas to develop and litigate complex impact litigations that advance social, racial, and economic justice, addressing the full range of legal areas in which NYLAG serves clients. Alone, or in partnership with other not-for-profit organizations and private firms working pro-bono, SLU initiates class actions and other impact lawsuits to bring about systemic change for thousands of people in need.

Job Description:

The Special Litigation Unit of the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) is seeking a highly motivated Staff Attorney with at least one and up to five years of legal experience for a full-time, two-year position.

The attorney will focus on systemic issues that affect the health and well-being of NYLAG’s clients, including matters involving Medicaid, Medicare, public benefits, housing, disability rights, and access to health care. The attorney will develop litigation and engage in advocacy that addresses inequities in health coverage and the social determinants of health, by collaborating within NYLAG and with external stakeholders.

Examples of current and recent SLU lawsuits that have touched on health issues include: Engesser, et al. v. McDonald , which challenged the lack of procedural protections for recipients of Medicaid-funded homecare as New York State restructured a major homecare program; NYLAG v. SSA , which challenges the Social Security Administration’s practice of keeping key policies secret from the public and wrongfully charging fees to public interest FOIA requestors; J.S.M. v. New York City Department of Education , which challenges New York City’s delays in scheduling hearings and issuing decisions regarding special education services for children with disabilities; and Grazia v. Carrion, which enforced the right of public housing residents and applicants to access their building’s housing code violations.  The attorney will partner closely with NYLAG’s direct representation practices, including the Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program (NYLAG’s long term care practice), the Public Benefits Unit, the Disability Advocacy Project, and LegalHealth (NYLAG’s medical-legal partnership).

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Staff Attorney’s responsibilities will include:
- Developing new impact litigation cases, including identifying and interviewing potential plaintiffs, drafting complaints, engaging in motion practice, and drafting briefs and other court documents;
- Engaging in discovery, including drafting and responding to discovery requests, preparing for, taking and defending depositions, and assisting with document review;
- Interviewing, advising, and advocating on behalf of individual class members;
- Negotiating and drafting settlements, monitoring compliance with settlements, participating in internal strategy discussions, engaging with opposing counsel, and appearing in court;
- Collaborating with internal and external partners working within similar communities;
- Acting as a liaison to partner organizations and other external stakeholders;
- Performing other duties, including giving general consults, advice, trainings, and mentoring of volunteers and pro bono partners.

Qualifications:

NYLAG seeks a highly motivated attorney with the following qualifications.

Required Qualifications:
- At least one and up to five years’ legal experience, including civil litigation experience;
- Excellent legal research, writing, and communication skills;
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and racial justice;
- Admission to the New York Bar;

Optional Qualifications:
- Experience with federal litigation, class actions, and/or systemic advocacy;
- Knowledge and experience navigating Medicaid, Medicare, and other public benefits;
- Experience working with the communities of clients that NYLAG serves;
- Demonstrated ability to handle complex matters involving multiple stakeholders and collaborate effectively across teams;

Applicants are encouraged to describe both professional experience and any relevant personal experience.

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

☒ Full-time

Professional Level:

☒ Professional

Salary:

NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $90,262 and $104,544.

Benefits:

Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.