Staff Attorney - Mental Health Law Project - Legal Services of Long Island : Job Details

OVERVIEW: For more than 50 years, Legal Services of Long Island previously (Nassau Suffolk Law Services), has been providing free, high-quality legal counsel in civil matters when basic human needs are at stake including: eviction and foreclosure prevention, income maintenance, disability, elder law, healthcare, consumer fraud and more. As the only provider of comprehensive civil legal services on Long Island, our services support thousands of poor and low-income families and individuals who cannot afford an attorney. With the gap separating those who can and cannot afford legal representation widening each day, we work to ensure that everyone has equal access to justice, regardless of their ability to pay. Legal Services of Long Island has a staff of over one hundred people situated in three offices across Long Island.

OFFICE LOCATION: Suffolk County (Islandia Office).

POSITION: Full time Staff Attorney for MHLP to assist psychiatrically disabled individuals with a variety of legal needs. Duties include representation clients in a variety of civil matters, before administrative agencies and various courts. Matters commonly handled include housing, Social Security Disability, public benefits issues, Family Court cases and access to health care. Duties also include interviewing clients, engaging in community outreach, providing community legal education, and keeping statistical information. The attorney will be expected to handle issues from intake through hearing or trial and appeal as necessary. The attorney must be willing to handle many cases on an emergency basis.

START DATE: Immediate. SALARY: $68,250-$94,811 DOE, union scale, BENEFITS: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability (100% of the premium covered by employer), 403b with defined contribution, Student Loan Reimbursement (amount subject to collective beginning agreement) at 1 year anniversary.

REQUIREMENTS: Admission to New York State Bar and admission or eligibility for admission to the Federal Bar. Applicants who have passed the State Bar and are pending admission will also be considered. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English preferred. Applicants who have taken the exam and are waiting to hear the results may be considered. Demonstrated commitment to the goals and clients of the legal services program.