Staff Attorney, Elder Law

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION Access Justice Brooklyn (AJB) is a nonprofit organization that uses the collective talents of our staff and volunteers to provide high-quality, pro bono legal services and community education to our neighbors in need. We envision an equitable Brooklyn where everyone knows their rights and has access to legal support. To achieve this vision, we partner with compassionate pro bono attorneys to provide high-quality civil legal services that help ensure equal access to the legal system. Our dedicated staff and volunteer legal professionals provide direct civil legal services and assistance to low-income Brooklyn residents in areas that address essential aspects of life, such as family stability, aging safely and comfortably, personal finances, housing, and freedom of movement. Staff also participate in and facilitate clinics, hotlines, and other types of legal education.

Learn more about Access Justice Brooklyn by visiting www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW Access Justice Brooklyn has an exciting opportunity for an attorney to oversee all aspects of our elder law program, including our long-standing Senior Legal Education and Assistance Program (Senior LEAP), which provides legal information and advice to hundreds of seniors throughout Brooklyn each year. The attorney will expand AJB’s scope of services to provide legal assistance and community education related to government benefits, such as Medicaid, Medicare, and housing subsidies, which are necessary for seniors to maintain a stable and sufficient income. The attorney will also collaborate with other AJB staff to ensure seniors receive assistance with ancillary legal issues, such as preparation and execution of health care proxies and wills and probate matters for estates of $50,000 or less; assistance with consumer debt issues; representation in family legal matters such as a divorce or custody of grandchildren; foreclosure prevention; and assistance related to deed scams, mortgage theft, and reverse mortgages. The program will ensure seniors know their rights, have financial security, and can safely age in place, promoting community-level stability and preserving the character of Brooklyn neighborhoods. This position is currently hybrid.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Manage all aspects of the Access Justice Brooklyn’s elder law program, including recruiting, training and mentoring volunteers to provide pro bono services, under supervision of the director of legal servicesBuild and oversee a new practice at Access Justice Brooklyn for seniors to access government benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, food stamps, and housing subsidies, and assist with appeals of benefit denials or reductionsProvide legal advice, pro se assistance and representation to Brooklyn residents seeking help related to government benefits accessConduct outreach and community education presentations and workshops for Brooklyn seniorsAssist seniors requiring legal support in other areas of elder law and economic justice, such as advanced life planning, consumer debt, financial literacy, bankruptcy, and deed theftRecruit volunteer attorneys to provide pro bono representation to Access Justice Brooklyn clients by conducting Continuing Legal Education (CLE) trainings and presentations on elder law, including government benefits and related issuesMentor and support volunteer attorneys, law students, and staff handling matters for seniorsSeek out and cultivate new relationships with community organizations, elected officials, and social service organizations to reach new senior clients and facilitate referrals for ancillary servicesParticipate in workshops, walk-in clinics, community information initiatives, and program assessment work in collaboration with new and existing partnersIn collaboration with the pro bono director, oversee and create elder law clinics and other pro bono opportunities as appropriate for law firms and other volunteers, including staffing, recruitment and supervision of volunteers and law studentsConduct intake and provide advice and brief services to Brooklyn residents who are proceeding pro se in government benefits and other elder law mattersServe as a resource to staff on elder law and government benefits issues, including conducting intake and assessing the legal issues of prospective clients and the suitability of cases for referral to volunteer attorneysConduct and organize community outreach and “know your rights” presentationsPrepare program reports and assist with grant reports and proposals as neededEnsure milestones and programmatic goals are metParticipate in special events, including both fundraising and volunteer recognition eventsServe on committees, task forces and panels relating to policy issues and/or legislative reform efforts impacting seniorsParticipate in strategic planning, program assessment, special projects and initiatives, and other organizational work as needed

QUALIFICATIONSAdmission to NYS Bar is requiredExperience handling elder law and/or government benefits matters cases in New York State is preferredPassion for social justice and pro bonoExceptional attention to detailStrong negotiation and litigation skillsStrong problem-solving, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skillsFlexibility, creativity, and a sense of humor Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and prioritize while working under multiple deadlinesOutgoing and professional demeanor for interacting with a wide range of individuals from different cultures and backgroundsFluency in Spanish is helpful but not required

SALARYSalary range is $70,000-90,000 depending on experience. Benefits include medical; dental; vision; employer-paid life, accidental death, and long-term disability insurance; 401K plan with employer match; flexible spending accounts for unreimbursed medical and dependent care; pre-tax transit program; paid NY bar registration fees and bar memberships; and a liberal Paid Time Off policy, encompassing 30 days of PTO per calendar year in addition to office holidays and Summer Fridays (closing early Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day).

APPLICATION Email resume and cover letter to jobs@accessjusticebk.org. Please put Elder Law Attorney in the subject line. Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. No phone calls, please.

Access Justice Brooklyn is an equal opportunity employer. We actively recruit and seek to grow and maintain a diverse staff, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, and national origin; disability; socioeconomic background; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

For more information about our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, please visit https://www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org/about-us/mission-visions-values.