Description:

MANHATTAN LEGAL SERVICES seeks attorneys to represent low-income clients in government benefits matters. This office is part of Legal Services NYC, the largest provider of free civil legal services for low-income people in the country. We are dedicated to fighting poverty by providing high-quality legal services in areas such housing, family law, public benefits, employment, consumer, education, immigration, and disability rights, with special units serving vulnerable populations including domestic violence victims, people living with HIV, and LGTBQIA+ community members. We are committed to working in partnership with community-based organizations in the low-income communities we serve in order to address the causes of poverty.

The Government Benefits Unit fights to retain, obtain, or increase critical public benefits, including public assistance, SNAP/Food Stamps, WIC, emergency rental arrears grants, and rental subsidies (such as FHEPS and CityFHEPS). We also provide assistance with health law issues, helping people obtain or retain public health insurance and services such as Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care.

While representing our low-income clients in various public benefits matters, the staff attorneys will also work to continue to grow our public benefits practice, provide community education, and engage in public policy advocacy on public benefits issues. The attorneys will participate in working groups focused on making institutional changes in agency practice that better serve benefits recipients in our City and collaborate with other LSNYC benefits units to initiate and continue systemic positive change. We are looking for a candidate who is excited to work in a fast-paced environment, work daily with our clients and communities, and use creative strategies in the pursuit of justice.

Primary Responsibilities:

Assess potential clients for public benefits eligibility by conducting intake and interviewing Manhattan tenants at Housing Court who are referred to MLS through the right-to-counsel initiative in NYC housing courts
Advocate with administrative agencies to challenge denials, reductions, or terminations of public benefits
Conduct community education and outreach
Engage in case advocacy, including housing subsidy applications, public assistance applications, and administrative hearings
Direct representation of clients in administrative proceedings, Civil Court, Supreme Court, and federal court

Experience & Qualifications:

At least 2 years of experience as a legal services attorney, including public benefits, Medicaid, or housing benefits work
Experience and expertise in One-Shot Deals, SNAP, Medicaid and other public benefits
Demonstrated communication habits that are consistently prompt and highly responsive
Collaborative orientation, capacity to work in a team, and solution-oriented approach
Strong organizational skills
Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Experience working with underserved communities
Strong cultural or personal ties to the communities we serve
J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to the New York Bar
Proficiency in a language other than English and Spanish is preferred