Justice in Aging seeks a part-time attorney with a strong commitment to and experience providing legal services for older adults to join our organization. The successful candidate will strengthen legal services delivery to older Americans as part of the National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER), which Justice in Aging administers under a contract with the Administration for Community Living. The attorney will work closely with the Project Manager, Directing Attorney and the entire NCLER team to provide technical assistance, training, and resource support to legal assistance developers, legal services attorneys, and the aging and disability network. The location for this position is Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, or Oakland, CA. Exceptional candidates in other locations will also be considered.

Justice in Aging uses the power of law and our expertise in safety net programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and SSI to fight senior poverty. Founded as a legal services back-up center in 1972, we have a rich tradition of supporting legal services providers who serve older adults with the greatest social and economic needs. The National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER) is a new national resource center for the legal services and aging and disability networks, focused on the legal rights of older adults. Providing webinars, trainings, written materials, and case consultations, NCLER is a one-stop resource for professionals serving older adults with the greatest economic and social needs. We are seeking an experienced attorney to help us ensure older adults receive the high quality legal services they require to see their doctor, keep a roof over their head, have food on the table, and live safely and in dignity.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidate review will begin on November 15, 2017. Questions about the position can be directed to Fay Gordon at fgordon@justiceinaging.org.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Project Manager and Directing Attorney for NCLER to provide technical assistance and training to states and programs working to improve legal services development.
• Provide a range of resource support designed to enhance the quality, cost effectiveness, and accessibility of legal assistance and elder rights programs provided to older persons with the greatest social or economic needs.
• Establish and maintain relationships with members of the legal services, aging and disability networks, including legal assistance developers, legal services providers, state units on aging, area agencies on aging, and others involved in the delivery of legal services to older adults.
• Develop skills-based training for legal services providers who serve older adults.
• Develop written materials, including informational alerts, issue briefs, and training materials.
• Work with the NCLER team to advance other NCLER objectives.
• As needed, supervise other attorneys, pro bono attorneys, fellows and law clerks.
• Limited travel will be required.

Requirements

• A J.D., or other advanced degree
• Experience providing direct legal services to low-income older adults and/or developing legal services delivery systems for older adults;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, build internal and external relationships, and work with partners.
• Capacity to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective speaking, presentation, and written communication skills.
• Collegial, collaborative approach.
• Experience partnering with organizations serving diverse populations and/or working with communities of color.
• Passion for social justice for low-income older adults and desire to provide assistance to underserved populations.

Desired

• Experience working with legal assistance development on a statewide level.

Compensation:

Expected salary for this position will range from $45,000 to $55,000 based on a fixed salary scale, for work performed on a half-time basis. Justice in Aging also offers a competitive benefits package, including health, dental and life insurance; flexible reimbursement plan; 403(b) retirement savings plan; and generous vacation policy.

To Apply:

Please submit the following to Katrina Cohens, kcohens@justiceinaging.org: cover letter that describes your interest in this particular position, résumé, one writing sample, and three professional references. In your cover letter, please address the following in order for your application to be considered:

At Justice in Aging we advocate for older adults, particularly those in populations that have traditionally lacked legal protection, such as women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people with limited English proficiency. To promote social justice and best achieve our mission, Justice in Aging is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to a work environment with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion?

Justice in Aging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a diverse staff and we particularly encourage applications from members of racial and ethnic minority groups, women, the LGBTQ community, and others whose background may contribute to more effective representation of low-income people and underserved communities.