Supervising Attorney-DAP Unit

JOB SUMMARY:

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) seeks a Supervising Attorney to lead its unionized attorneys and paralegal advocates assisting individuals with obtaining, maintaining and transitioning from federal disability benefits, i.e., Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.

Organization Overview:

NLS is the largest provider of civil legal services in western New York with its main offices in Buffalo, and additional offices in Batavia, Lockport, and Niagara Falls. NLS advocates for thousands of clients each year in disability, family, housing and public benefits legal matters. NLS staff represent clients who are facing eviction, families who have no money for food or rent, survivors and victims of domestic violence, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans and people with disabilities. We invite you to join our team and to use your talents and skills to help people and change systems.

Essential Functions:

Reporting to NLS’ Advocacy Director, the DAP Supervising Attorney will:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Disability Advocacy Project (DAP) Unit. The successful applicant will be located primarily in the Buffalo office, but will manage attorneys and paralegals in NLS’ Niagara Falls, Lockport and Batavia offices, as needed
• Regularly review DAP Unit staff work, with the goal of consistent high quality legal representation and excellent ‘customer’ service to both applicants and clients
• Develop/implement staff training to support delivery of high quality services
• Work closely with NLS’ Advocacy Director to develop a related litigation strategy (including federal court)
• Work closely with NLS’ Finance and Grant Management team to seek and maintain funding for DAP work, including educating elected officials and funders about DAP work impact
• Lead Unit hiring process, working closely with NLS’ Human Resources staff
• Maintain an independent caseload, as needed, depending upon complexity and difficulty of matters, especially when necessary to cover staff leave and PTO
• Develop/implement DAP Unit policies and procedures, assuring integration and conformity with those of the organization
• Ensure staff maintain case and client records as required in NLS’ cloud-based case management system (CMS)
• Become proficient in producing CMS statistical and narrative reports for NLS leadership and funders, as needed
• Develop/implement a robust community outreach and education plan to reach NLS’ five-county service area (Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties)
• Oversee/Monitor applications for service and eligibility determinations in accordance with grant and funding requirements, and work assignments for staff
• Commit to leading by example, with high professional integrity and civility in all interactions with clients, staff, opposing counsel and community-at-large
• Address client and staff concerns in a sympathetic and confident manner

Required Qualifications:

• Law degree (JD) & active New York license
• Minimum of six (6) years of disability law experience in a private practice or legal services setting
• Prior management experience in a legal setting preferred, but not required
• Commitment to addressing systemic poverty, race, and justice issues, as well as to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion in a diverse workplace

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary range is $90,000 to $120,000, based upon experience. Full-time position with a minimum 35-hour work week. Excellent benefits including health, dental and vision insurance, 15 vacation days; 12 paid holidays plus paid week off between Christmas and New Year’s; sick and personal leave; eligibility for public student loan forgiveness; paid $50,000 life insurance, pension plan, HRA, and Flexible Spending Accounts; and paid professional legal memberships.