Description:

A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization is a nonprofit organization that uses the collective talents of our staff and volunteers to provide high-quality, pro bono legal services and community education to our neighbors in need. We envision an equitable Brooklyn where everyone knows their rights and has access to legal support. To achieve this vision, we partner with compassionate pro bono attorneys to provide high-quality civil legal services that help ensure equal access to the legal system. Our dedicated staff and volunteer legal professionals provide direct civil legal services and assistance to low-income Brooklyn residents in areas that address essential aspects of life, such as family stability, aging safely and comfortably, personal finances, housing, and freedom of movement. Staff also participate in and facilitate clinics, hotlines, and other types of legal education.

Position Overview:
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization has an exciting opportunity for an attorney to oversee all aspects of our elder law program, including our long-standing Senior Legal Education and Assistance Program (Senior LEAP), which provides legal information and advice to hundreds of seniors throughout Brooklyn each year. The attorney will expand AJB's scope of services to provide legal assistance and community education related to government benefits, such as Medicaid, Medicare, and housing subsidies, which are necessary for seniors to maintain a stable and sufficient income. The attorney will also collaborate with other AJB staff to ensure seniors receive assistance with ancillary legal issues, such as preparation and execution of health care proxies and wills and probate matters for estates of $50,000 or less; assistance with consumer debt issues; representation in family legal matters such as a divorce or custody of grandchildren; foreclosure prevention; and assistance related to deed scams, mortgage theft, and reverse mortgages. The program will ensure seniors know their rights, have financial security, and can safely age in place, promoting community-level stability and preserving the character of Brooklyn neighborhoods. This position is currently hybrid.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage all aspects of the Access Justice Brooklyn's elder law program, including recruiting, training and mentoring volunteers to provide pro bono services, under supervision of the director of legal services
Build and oversee a new practice at Access Justice Brooklyn for seniors to access government benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, food stamps, and housing subsidies, and assist with appeals of benefit denials or reductions
Provide legal advice, pro se assistance and representation to Brooklyn residents seeking help related to government benefits access
Conduct outreach and community education presentations and workshops for Brooklyn seniors
Assist seniors requiring legal support in other areas of elder law and economic justice, such as advanced life planning, consumer debt, financial literacy, bankruptcy, and deed theft
Recruit volunteer attorneys to provide pro bono representation to Access Justice Brooklyn clients by conducting Continuing Legal Education (CLE) trainings and presentations on elder law, including government benefits and related issues
Mentor and support volunteer attorneys, law students, and staff handling matters for seniors
Seek out and cultivate new relationships with community organizations, elected officials, and social service organizations to reach new senior clients and facilitate referrals for ancillary services
Participate in workshops, walk-in clinics, community information initiatives, and program assessment work in collaboration with new and existing partners
In collaboration with the pro bono director, oversee and create elder law clinics and other pro bono opportunities as appropriate for law firms and other volunteers, including staffing, recruitment and supervision of volunteers and law students
Conduct intake and provide advice and brief services to Brooklyn residents who are proceeding pro se in government benefits and other elder law matters
Serve as a resource to staff on elder law and government benefits issues, including conducting intake and assessing the legal issues of prospective clients and the suitability of cases for referral to volunteer attorneys
Conduct and organize community outreach and “know your rights” presentations
Prepare program reports and assist with grant reports and proposals as needed
Ensure milestones and programmatic goals are met
Participate in special events, including both fundraising and volunteer recognition events
Serve on committees, task forces and panels relating to policy issues and/or legislative reform efforts impacting seniors
Participate in strategic planning, program assessment, special projects and initiatives, and other organizational work as needed

Qualifications:

Admission to NYS Bar is required
Experience handling elder law and/or government benefits matters cases in New York State is preferred
Passion for social justice and pro bono
Exceptional attention to detail
Strong negotiation and litigation skills
Strong problem-solving, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills
Flexibility, creativity, and a sense of humor
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and prioritize while working under multiple
deadlines
Outgoing and professional demeanor for interacting with a wide range of individuals from different cultures and backgrounds
Fluency in Spanish is helpful but not required