Description:

About the role:
Pitta & Baione LLP is seeking an experienced Associate Attorney to represent 9/11 survivors, responders, and families pursuing compensation through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and related programs.

This is a hands-on advocacy role for an attorney who likes developing cases from the ground up. The work combines client counseling, investigation, legal writing, medical and economic analysis, and appeal advocacy. Our attorneys take substantial ownership of their matters and work directly with clients and witnesses throughout the claims process.

We are looking for someone who is resourceful, evidence-driven, and persistent. Strong candidates know how to identify what must be proven, find the records and witnesses that can prove it, and keep digging when the first source of evidence is unavailable. Sound judgment, strong writing, attention to detail, and the ability to independently move a case forward are essential.

Key Responsibilities:

Initiate, develop, and manage 9/11 compensation claims involving personal injury and wrongful death.
Serve as a trusted advisor to 9/11 survivors, responders, and families throughout the claims process.
Develop case strategy and identify the factual, medical, and economic evidence needed to establish eligibility and maximize compensation under VCF policies and procedures.
Investigate and document exposure and presence history, including employment, residency, witnesses, and other eligibility factors.
Gather, review, and analyze medical records, employment and earnings records, pension information, insurance records, and other collateral source documentation.
Identify gaps in the record and develop additional sources of proof through clients, witnesses, employers, healthcare providers, institutions, public records, and other third parties.
Prepare VCF claims, amendments, legal memoranda, appeals, and other advocacy submissions.
Represent clients at VCF appeal hearings, in person and virtually, including preparing clients and witnesses, presenting arguments, and responding to questions from the Special Masters.
Manage and mentor paralegal claim managers in factual development, document collection, case analysis, and claim strategy.
Document case activity in the firm's case management system and manage deadlines, workflows, and competing priorities.

Required Qualifications:

Admission to practice law in the State of New York, in good standing.
Must reside in New York or New Jersey.
Minimum 5 years of experience in personal injury litigation, medical malpractice litigation, workers' compensation, VCF work, or another evidence-intensive practice area.
Excellent legal writing, analytical, advocacy, and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take ownership of a substantial caseload.
Resourceful and investigative approach to factual development and problem solving.
Meticulous attention to detail in written work, legal analysis, and record review.
Ability to learn and apply detailed statutory, regulatory, and administrative program requirements to individual claims.
Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop legal support staff, delegate effectively, provide constructive feedback, and maintain accountability for the quality and progress of assigned matters.
Professionalism and empathy when working with injured, ill, or grieving clients and their families.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior experience with VCF claims, mass tort claims, statutory compensation programs, or complex damages claims.
Hearing, deposition, trial, or other oral advocacy experience.
Experience analyzing medical evidence, lost earnings, pension benefits, disability issues, or collateral sources.
Fluency in Chinese (Mandarin and/or Cantonese) or Spanish, written and verbal.