Economic Justice Temp Attorney

Company: National Organization of Social Security Claimants
Location: Oakland
Posted on: May 13, 2022

Job Description:

161 Airport Executive Park, Nanuet, NY 10954 BayLegal works to address the immediate legal needs of our clients, and the underlying and compounding issues that create barriers to long-term stability and opportunities. We believe that all people should be treated with respect and have the resources they need to meet their goals. To that end, we engage in civil legal representation, social work, community collaborations, and systemic advocacy, in partnership with the communities we serve. Position: BayLegal seeks an attorney with a strong commitment to the public interest and social justice advocacy to join our Alameda County Regional Office. The COVID-19 public health and economic crisis has made civil legal services ever more critical to help individuals and families avoid homelessness and to provide opportunities for stability and self-sufficiency. This position provides the opportunity to address a range of issues facing low-income individuals, with a focus on economic justice and access to public benefits, including primarily eligibility for Social Security disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). This position is based in our Alameda County office and may require travel throughout the county as necessary to best serve our clients. As a member of BayLegal's regional practice, there may be travel within BayLegal's broader service area for purposes of meeting with clients and as necessary for training and advocacy. -See below for a description of our current work environment due to COVID-19. Duties & Responsibilities - as a Temporary Economic Justice Attorney, you will:

• Learn and assist with the diverse legal needs of underserved and vulnerable communities;
• Help to reduce homelessness, enhance economic and housing stability, and promote social justice;
• Represent clients in a range of public benefits matters, including primarily Social Security disability benefits, SSI and CAPI claims and appeals;
• Represent clients in all stages of administrative proceedings related to their public benefits claims, from initial applications through federal court;
• Assist clients with accessing other county, state, and federal benefit programs, as needed;
• Identify and employ impact advocacy strategies to remove systematic barriers to public benefits for client populations, including particularly vulnerable groups such as immigrants and refugees, survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, people experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities;
• Develop relationships and collaborate with community partners, including governmental agencies, and community-based organizations;
• Provide public benefits trainings to BayLegal staff and community partners;
• Work collaboratively with attorneys practicing in BayLegal's other substantive areas; and
• Engage in other tasks and projects that further BayLegal's mission. Requirements/Qualifications/About -the -Successful -Candidate:
  • A commitment to fostering inclusivity and equity, as well as humility when working with clients and colleagues at the intersection of multiple identities, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, -immigration status, religion, -physical -and -mental -disability, -and/or limited English proficiency.
  • Passion for and desire to work with low-income individuals;
  • Member of CA Bar in good standing or admitted to practice in another state and eligible to practice in California for 3 years under the California State Bar rules for the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program. Candidates who have recently passed the CA Bar or graduated and will be taking the bar exam at the next sitting are welcome to apply;
  • Experience with government benefits programs preferred;
  • Experience with impact litigation and/or policy advocacy preferred;
  • Excellent communication, writing and public speaking skills;
  • Strong community outreach and training skills;
  • Strong -interpersonal -skills -and -an -ability -to -work -collaboratively -with -a -dynamic -team; and
  • Curious -and -self-directed -with -an ability -to -take initiative
  • 161 Airport Executive Park, Nanuet, NY 10954

Keywords: National Organization of Social Security Claimants, Oakland , Economic Justice Temp Attorney, Legal , Oakland, California