Va Jobs in Portland, ME (NOW HIRING)

Tired of Being Not Only the Lawyer, but also the Paralegal, the Biller, the IT Department and the Cleaning Crew? Come Be Just the Lawyer.

Jackson & MacNichol is a 120-person law firm with one mission: helping U.S. military veterans get the VA disability benefits they earned. We are hiring attorneys, and we are looking specifically for solo and small firm practitioners who are ready to trade the whole operation for the part they actually went to law school to do.

You know the arithmetic. The billable hours are the smallest part of the week. The rest is chasing invoices, covering the payroll for that one staff member you have, fixing the case management software, handling intake calls at 8 p.m., paying the malpractice premium, and knowing that if you take a real vacation, nothing moves and nothing comes in. You built something, and it works — but it works because you never stop working.

Here is what changes on day one:

· A paycheck every two weeks, in the same amount, whether or not a client paid this month

· No trust accounting, no billing, no collections, no receivables — ever again

· No client development required. Cases come to you through our intake team; you never have to sell

· Overhead, malpractice coverage, software, and equipment are the firm's problem, not yours

· We work as a team with case managers plus a dedicated intake and records team that gathers service and medical records before the file reaches you

· Colleagues down the hall — virtually — who have practiced nothing but VA law for years, and who you can ask a question at 2 p.m. instead of guessing at 11 p.m.

· Paid time off that is actually time off, because someone covers your files

· Health insurance and a 401(k) you do not have to set up yourself

What the work looks like

· Represent veteran clients before VA Regional Offices, the Board of Veterans' Appeals, or the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

· Carry your own caseload with real autonomy over how you handle your hearings — the independence you are used to, without the administration

· Work fully remotely, on a predictable schedule, with hearings by video or phone and no required travel

· Build deep expertise in one federal practice area rather than taking whatever walks in the door to pay the rent and keep the lights on

An honest note, because you have earned a straight answer: this is a salaried role, not an equity or origination one, and there is no book of business to build here. Your income is stable and it is capped at the stated range plus increases and bonus. Some solos will not want that trade. The ones who do tell us the same thing — that the day they stopped worrying about receivables, they got their enjoyment of the practice back.

And if you are winding down a practice, we can be flexible on a start date while you close files or transition matters. Tell us what you need.

What we require

· Experience running your own cases and your own hearings — solo, small firm, or a lean in-house or legal aid setting

· The self-direction that comes with having had no one to fall back on, and the willingness to now work as part of a team

· No prior VA or veterans law experience required; we train you

· Admission to and good standing with the bar of any U.S. state or territory (VA practice is federal — we do not require admission in a particular state, and we handle VA accreditation after you join)

· Excellent written and oral advocacy skills, and strong legal research skills

· A reliable home workspace and internet connection

Above all, applicants must embody our core values: application of the Golden Rule, compassion, the constant pursuit of excellence, and decisiveness. Our clients are veterans navigating a slow and often frustrating federal process, and they need an advocate with the patience and persistence to see it through with them.

Location

Fully remote. We hire anywhere in the Eastern or Central time zones. All VA hearings are conducted by video or telephone — there is no required travel.

Compensation & Benefits

· $80,000 starting salary

· Automatic increase to $85,000 upon reaching a full caseload — typically within six months (a full caseload is typically 15 hearings per month)

· Health insurance medical / dental / vision; employer pays 100% for basic plan

· 401(k) eligibility after one year 5 percent employer match

· Vacation plus 12 paid holidays

· Firm-provided equipment

· Bar dues, CLE, and VA accreditation costs covered

If you are ready to be just the lawyer again, we would like to talk.

Jackson & MacNichol is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from veterans, military spouses, and candidates of all backgrounds.

Since 1991, our firm has focused on veterans disability law. We fight to get justice for those who fought for us, and we do whatever it takes to see that they receive the benefits to which they are entitled within the applicable legal and ethical guidelines.