Description:
Jackson & MacNichol is a family firm based in Maine that has been around for more than thirty years, with a passion for guiding people through the legal wilderness. The firm is continuing to grow and currently has three positions available for hearing attorneys. This position is with ourVA Department, which is focused on fighting to get justice for those who fought for us.
Our VA Department assists veterans in getting service-connected disability benefits for medical issues incurred in or due in service. VA hearing attorneys typically handle fifteen hearings before the Board of Veterans Appeals a month, including reviewing medical and service records to prepare the case, preparing the client to testify, requesting any medical evaluations or records, and legal research and writing of hearing and post-hearing briefs, motions, and writs. Applicants must be organized and able to prioritize and re-prioritize as needed.
Be advised that, as a fully remote employee, this is necessarily a technology-heavy position. Beyond familiarity with word processing and case management software, facility with remote work tools like Zoom, Teams, and Microsoft Word is a must. Experience utilizing remote digital resources like virtual desktops and shared drives is a plus. Nearly all hearings will be conducted through the Board of Veterans' Appeals virtual hearing system, so the ideal candidate will be able to adapt quickly and think on their feet when faced with technical hurdles.
Each VA hearing attorney is paired with a case manager from their team. Your case manager is your partner, not your assistant. VA hearing attorneys are expected to review their case manager's outgoing mail, answer questions, speak to clients that will not speak to the case manager, and otherwise be available to their case manager. Likewise, our experienced case managers are a helpful resource for their attorneys. VA hearing attorneys are directly supervised by their team's VA Supervising Attorney.
Daily– Review any BVA decisions on your cases, make an initial decision on whether an appeal is needed and write to the client. Review and electronically sign your case manager's outgoing mail.
Weekly– Hold a Zoom team meeting with your case manager and your group. Participate in the weekly attorney Zoom meeting.
Monthly– (Over the course of the month) prepare (including full review of the file) and present BVA hearings for 15 clients, including hearing preparation calls with clients and preparing needed medical and vocational evaluation requests (including attaching any critical records for the evaluator when needed). Draft post hearing memoranda as required.
You must be currently admitted to the bar in a U.S. state or territory. VA accreditation is preferred; Veterans Disability or Social Security experience preferred. Applicants must embody our core values: application of the Golden Rule. Compassion, the constant pursuit of excellence, and decisiveness. Excellent oral and written skills are required. Applicants must also possess strong legal research skills, work well in a team environment and be willing and eager to help guide veterans in need through the slow, grueling process of obtaining the benefits due to them.
Base salary is $75,000
Job Type: Full-time, remote
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
- 8-hour shift - Monday to Friday
