Staff Attorney - Disability Rights & Civil Justice

Disability Rights New York; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, life, and long

Disability insurance

SEP IRA and 403(b) plans

Job summary

Disability Rights New York is seeking a Staff Attorney to provide legal services, engage in individual and systemic representation, and engage in litigation and advocacy in matters affecting people with disabilities.

This one-year position reports to the Program Director and may involve travel within New York State. DRNY emphasizes collaboration with multidisciplinary professionals and multilingual client support, offering a comprehensive benefits package for full-time staff.

Qualifications

• Be a member in good standing of the New York State Bar or eligible to waive in from another jurisdiction, or be eligible to become a member within a reasonable time after beginning employment, and maintain such standing throughout employment with DRNY;
• Have 0-5 years of experience;
• Demonstrated interest and commitment to public interest law;
• Ability to work efficiently, independently, and collaboratively as part of a team;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Relationship-building skills;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Strong problem-solving skills;
• Outstanding professionalism and ethical judgment;
• Multilingual skills preferred;
• Ability to work with diverse groups of individuals;
• Must be a New York State resident;
• Work and reside in New York State consistent with DRNY’s policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal, administrative, and other appropriate means of representation, including individual and systemic representation, to people with significant mental health diagnoses who are at risk of entering the criminal law system and people currently in forensic psychiatric units and carceral settings;
• Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect and draft investigative reports;
• Monitor service providers for abuse, neglect, and compliance with federal and state laws and draft monitoring reports;
• Analyze new and existing cases to determine systemic issues and formulate strategies for their prevention, reduction, or elimination;
• Lead and support DRNY projects, project teams, and initiatives that foster self-determination and self-advocacy, and coalition building;
• Lead and participate in task forces, coalitions, and committees;
• Maintain accurate, confidential files;
• Assist in preparing reports to funding sources;
• Maintain time records and client records and use the client tracking database;
• Open and close case files timely;
• Participate in committees and organization-wide groups;
• May provide multilingual client support;
• Travel throughout New York State and outside as necessary to perform tasks;
• Perform related tasks as required;
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Multilingual skills

Education

Admitted NYS Bar

Eligibility to waive in from another jurisdiction

Job description

Disability Rights New York is seeking a Staff Attorney to provide legal services, engage in individual and systemic representation, and engage in litigation and advocacy in matters affecting people with disabilities.

This one-year position reports to the Program Director and may involve travel within New York State. DRNY emphasizes collaboration with multidisciplinary professionals and multilingual client support, offering a comprehensive benefits package for full-time staff.