Description:
About the role:Pitta & Baione LLP is seeking a compassionate, detail-oriented Associate Attorney to represent 9/11 survivors, responders, and families pursuing compensation through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and related programs.
This role combines client advocacy, strategic case development, legal writing, and administrative litigation. The ideal candidate is an empathetic counselor, strong writer, and thoughtful advocate who enjoys working directly with clients and building persuasive claims on behalf of those impacted by the September 11th attacks.
Key Responsibilities:
- Initiate and manage 9/11 compensation claims involving personal injury and wrongful death.
- Serve as a trusted advisor and advocate for 9/11 survivors, responders, and families, providing strategic guidance throughout the claims process and helping clients navigate complex legal, medical, and compensation-related issues.
- Gather, review, and analyze medical, employment, earnings, insurance, pension, and other collateral source documentation to establish eligibility, support compensation calculations, and maximize claim value under VCF policies and procedures.
- Investigate and document exposure history including residency, employment, and other eligibility factors; analyze medical and factual evidence; and develop persuasive legal and factual arguments in support of claims, amendments, and appeals.
- Work directly with clients, family members, witnesses, healthcare providers, employers, and third-party entities to obtain information and documentation necessary to support claims.
- Prepare documents and correspondence to enroll clients in the World Trade Center Health Program and submit complete and persuasive claims to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
- Draft legal memoranda, appeals, and other advocacy submissions in support of eligibility and compensation.
- Represent clients before the VCF at appeal hearings, both in person and virtually, including preparing clients and witnesses for testimony, presenting arguments, and responding to questions from the Special Masters.
- Manage and mentor paralegal claim managers in claim strategy, factual development, document collection, case analysis, and legal drafting.
- Diligently document all case activity in the firm's case management system and adhere to internal workflows, quality standards, and deadlines.
Required Qualifications:
- Must reside in New York or New Jersey.
- Admission to practice law in the State of New York, in good standing.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in personal injury litigation, medical malpractice litigation, workers' compensation claims, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund work, or a related practice area.
- Demonstrated empathy, professionalism, and sound judgment when working with vulnerable, injured, or grieving clients and their families.
- Proven ability to work independently as a resourceful self-starter while managing a substantial caseload and competing priorities.
- Meticulous attention to detail in written work product, legal analysis, and record review.
- Strong organizational, analytical, written, advocacy, and oral communication skills.
- Comfortable using a case management system and maintaining thorough electronic records.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Fluency in Chinese (Mandarin and/or Cantonese) or Spanish, written and verbal.
- Prior experience with VCF claims, mass tort claims, or other statutory compensation programs.
Primarily remote position, with periodic in-person hearings, client meetings, team meetings, and firm events as needed.
Headquarters located in an amenity-rich modern office in the heart of New York City's Financial District.
