Statewide Support Attorney

Organization Information

Empire Justice Center, a diverse and highly respected statewide legal services organization,
seeks a DAP Statewide Support Attorney for our Disability Advocacy Program. This is an
opportunity to join and grow in one of the most influential organizations serving
marginalized low-income individuals and families in New York State, inspiring personal and
professional growth.

Empire Justice Center attracts and employs a diverse team of dedicated, determined, and
passionate advocates who significantly impact the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We
succeed through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, and legislative and
administrative advocacy. Additionally, the organization provides top-notch training and
technical assistance to other advocates to ensure fairness and justice for New Yorkers. The
organization thrives on our commitment to supporting justice for populations historically
and currently experiencing high levels of oppression. These populations include racially
diverse individuals and families experiencing poverty, housing insecurity, immigration
issues, and domestic violence. Additionally, the organization advocates for people with
disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and school-age children facing
discrimination and violations of their civil rights in schools.

With offices in Rochester, Albany, Westchester County, and Long Island, our organization
offers staff an exciting and dynamic inclusive working environment with a strong
commitment to work/life balance, teamwork, diversity, wellness, and personal/professional
development, where everyone is valued and respected.

Position Summary

The DAP Statewide Support Attorney is one of two at Empire Justice Center working to
provide information, technical assistance, training, and support to other DAP
programs funded by NYS OTDA. The attorney also oversees the provision of direct
services by the DAP Practice Group in the Empire Justice Rochester office. In addition,
the attorney participates in litigation, provides leadership on policy issues, and
engages in legislative and administrative advocacy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Developing an in-depth knowledge of Social Security disability law;
• Developing and conducting legal education and substantive law training on Social
  Security law to the NYS DAP community;
• Engaging with the DAP community as an information clearinghouse and updating
  advocates of changes in Social Security laws, rules, and regulations through a quarterly
  newsletter;
• Providing technical assistance to DAP organizations statewide;
• Overseeing the Empire Justice DAP direct services team and providing support,
  supervision, mentoring, and training to ensure the provision of high-quality representation
  and grant deliverables;
• Representing individual Social Security disability claimants, primarily in federal court and
  occasionally in administrative proceedings or impact litigation;
• Providing leadership on policy issues by identifying systemic issues that create barriers to
  the receipt of Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability benefits and
  engaging with advocacy groups and government agencies;
• Undertaking legislative and administrative advocacy aimed at improving access to
  justice and strengthening disability programs;
• Working with the DAP Managing Attorney and DAP Program Coordinator to oversee the
  collection and reporting of case opening and closing data from DAP contractors;
• Helping to lead the organization’s campaign to maintain DAP funding; and
• Effective use of technology, including case management, Zoom, and MS Office.
• Please note that all positions will supervise other practice group members if needed.
• Other duties as assigned by your supervisor and/or to meet the organization’s needs.

Please note that because Empire Justice Center is a nonprofit legal services
organization, our resources are limited; all staff are expected to perform administrative
and other support-related duties as needed to serve our clients and fulfill our mission.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited US law school or international
  equivalent
• Admission to the New York State Bar and in good standing as a member of the
  NYS bar
• Admission to practice in U.S. District Court or eligibility to be admitted upon prompt
  application for admission (must be admitted within two years of hire);
• At least five years of professional experience;
• Five years of experience in advocacy in administrative hearings and in federal court,
  preferably on behalf of Social Security claimants or other relevant advocacy;
• Substantial knowledge of Social Security rules and procedures, as well as a basic
  understanding of the procedures and regulations of the federal court system;
• Experience in and commitment to representing a diverse clientele who have
  experienced poverty and other hardships;
• Demonstrated desire to pursue systemic change through litigation and policy
  advocacy;
• Excellent legal writing and research skills;
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills;
• Experience planning and conducting substantive disability law or other relevant
  training;
• Effective organizational and decision-making skills and the ability to work under
  pressure and to shift priorities while working on multiple competing projects and
  deadlines;
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of DEIA and;
• Competent use of technology (Microsoft products, webinar platforms, document
  management system, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supervising;
• Experience representing Social Security claimants in federal court;
• Experience with legislative and administrative advocacy;
• Experience in complex litigation; and
• Experience leading organizations or coalitions.

Salary

Salary depends on years of experience and the organizational pay scale. The beginning
salary for this position, with five years of experience, is $62,580, and the salary for this
position, with sixteen years of experience, is $84,580.

Benefits

We are an organization that supports and encourages a work/life balance. Empire Justice
Center offers a generous benefit package including:

• Health insurance (employer pays 100% premium for a high quality, co-pay insurance plan).
• 403(b) eligibility with 1% employer match and additional employer contribution.
• 3% Non-Elective Annual Contribution made by Empire Justice Center.
  • Benefit eligible after 12 months of employment.
  • Generous vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time
    14 Paid Holidays
  • Vacation PTO: 10.5 Hours/Month; Sick PTO: 7 Hours/Month; Personal PTO: 5 Days/Year
• Bilingual salary enhancement for qualifying employees.
• Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
• Voluntary Supplemental Disability.
• Dental Insurance (employee paid).
• Vision Insurance (employee paid).
• $150K Group Term Life Insurance.
• Generous Bereavement Leave.
• 35-hour full-time work week.
• NYS Short-Term Disability.
• FSA Eligibility.

Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly
desires a diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal
employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and
harassment of any type, specifically – race, color, religion, age (40 or older), sex (including
pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, disability status, genetics, neurodiversity,
protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other
characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

TO APPLY:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested, e-mail a
resume, writing sample and contact information for three professional references aware of
this application to employment@empirejustice.org. Please include “DAP Statewide Support
Attorney, First/Last Name” in the email’s subject line. No phone calls or hard copies, please.
If reasonable accommodations are needed, please contact Mercedece Love, Human
Resources and Compliance Coordinator at mlove@empirejustice.org. Empire Justice
Center is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this
commitment, Empire Justice Center ensures that persons with disabilities and/or
communication barriers have reasonable accommodations