Disability Legal Services Attorney

IRCO; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

PTO 3 to 6 weeks per year

401k match

Paid Holidays

Medical & Dental insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Flexible spending account

Job summary

IRCO seeks a Disability Legal Services Attorney to represent refugees and immigrants in SSI/SSDI matters. The role involves initial applications, appeals, and coordination with medical providers.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team, providing trauma-informed services and collaborating with attorneys, paralegals, and community partners to improve outcomes for clients.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Member in good standing with the state bar.
• Experience with immigrant and refugee communities.
• Strong legal research, writing, verbal advocacy, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and time management.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong intercultural, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Confidential handling of sensitive information.
• Experience in social security law preferred.
• Established connections to Oregon’s immigrant/refugee or disability justice communities.
• Flexibility to accommodate client needs; proficient with typical office tech and interpretation services.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed legal services in SSI/SSDI matters.
• Screen potential clients for eligibility and conduct intakes.
• Prepare and submit initial applications, disability reports, and appeals.
• Review medical records and coordinate with providers for documentation.
• Communicate with clients, IRCO staff, and external partners to advance cases.
• Draft pre-hearing briefs and represent clients at hearings.
• Perform legal research and handle motions as needed.
• Maintain client records and perform quarterly case reviews.
• Review favorable decisions for accuracy and pursue corrections when needed.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Verbal advocacy

Analytical skills

Decision-making skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Independent work

Intercultural communication

Confidentiality

Social security law

Community connections

Interpersonal skills

Interpretation services

Education

Juris Doctorate (ABA-accredited)

Job description

POSITION: Disability Legal Services Attorney

JOB CLASS/GRADE: Technical Specialist 5; Grade 4

WAGE: Starting at $67,442 per year based on experience

FLSA; EEO; WC: Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS: IRCO Pacific Islander and Asian Family Center, 8040 NE Sandy Blvd Portland, OR 97213

Hybrid schedule

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS: 1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1)

APPLY AT: www.irco.org

STATUS: Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S): Disability Legal Services

SECTOR: Legal Services

REQUIREMENTS: Must have a Juris Doctorate; must have a license to practice law in any US state and be in good standing

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary
The mission of the IRCO Legal Services team is to provide direct legal services to our most vulnerable

community members. We envision a safe, welcoming, and Respectful engagement for refugees, immigrants, and people across cultures and generations. We are a multidisciplinary team with Immigration Law, Disability Law, and Family Law units. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with attorneys and paralegals with various specialties, credentials, and experiences across these disciplines.

Position Summary.

The Disability Legal Services Attorney will represent refugees, immigrants, and people across cultures and generations in their SSI and SSDI matters. This includes representation from the initial application for SSI and SSDI benefits

Essential Functions

• Provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed legal services to clients in SSI/SSDI matters.
• Ensure program(s) meet IRCO's Program Management Standards (PMS) and use associated tools whenever possible. Engage in continuous learning for program improvement.
• Screen potential clients for eligibility and conduct client intakes, interviews, and pre-hearing conferences.
• Prepare and submit initial applications, disability reports, and appeals at the initial and reconsideration levels.
• Review medical records and collaborate with medical providers to obtain supporting documentation for disability claims.
• Communicate and coordinate with clients, third parties, IRCO staff, and external agency partners to advance client cases
• Analyze clients’ financial circumstances and prepare for Pre-Effectuation Review Conferences (PERCs).
• Draft pre-hearing briefs and represent clients at administrative hearings.
• Conduct legal research and handle pre- and post-hearing motions, as needed.
• Review favorable decisions for accuracy of benefits and attorney fees and pursue corrections when necessary.
• Evaluate hearing denials for appealability and refer meritorious cases for further representation.
• Review overpayment determinations and assist clients with appeals.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date client records and communications in the case management system, including quarterly case reviews to identify relevant changes in medical, employment, financial, or personal circumstances.

Secondary Functions

• Provide staff and community education on SSI/SSDI issues affecting refugees and immigrants, as needed.
• Participate in collaborative and partnership meetings, as requested by the Disability Legal Services Manager, Legal Services Sector Manager, or IRCO leadership.
• Supervise and support volunteers and interns.
• Perform other projects and duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school
• A member in good standing with the Oregon State Bar or another state bar
• Experience working with immigrant and refugee communities
• Strong legal research, writing, verbal advocacy, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and time management, with the ability to meet competing deadlines
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong intercultural, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information
• Experience in social security law (strongly preferred)
• Established connections to Oregon’s immigrant and refugee communities, legal community, or disability justice community
• Flexibility to accommodate client needs, including occasional schedule adjustments
• Proficiency with standard office equipment, computer applications, and in-person and telephone interpretation services

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Hybrid Setting job.
• Positions at this level require minimal physical effort such as light lifting, carrying or movement, etc. Physical capability involves use of office equipment where some agility and hand eye coordination is needed
• Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.
• This level has a work environment that is usually well protected, free from hazards or obstacles. There is little element of personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are usually comfortable, with only occasional issues, including temperature change
• The work schedule occasionally fluctuates based on organization or customer needs. This fluctuation may occur with or without prior notice.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit package to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting
• 3% match for student loans or college savings
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 85% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Flexible spending account

Required Engagement

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives.

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.