Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) Lead Attorney for the Public Benefits/Education Practice Group

We are seeking a HDAP Lead Attorney to join our dynamic Public Benefits/Education Law practice group.  The Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) is designed to assist people experiencing or at risk of homelessness by advocating for disability benefits and housing supports.  The program’s four core requirements are outreach, case management, disability benefits advocacy, and housing assistance.  Our organization focuses on the disability benefits advocacy portion whereby we assist with the application for and maintenance of low-income and Social Security Administration disability benefits and County and State Benefits as needed.   

As the HDAP Lead Attorney, you will carry your own caseload, assist with grant management to ensure we meet grant deliverables, and supervise attorney and non-attorney advocates working on the program.  You will be required to travel for administrative hearings, client meetings, and to clients’ homes to gather information, signatures on documents, or locate and meet with clients who are experiencing homelessness.  Many of our clients in HDAP are unhoused and you will be required to visit these clients living in the elements.  You will work with community partners who provide the other core requirements of the program, so it is essential that you be able to effectively communicate and work well with others.  

• Work closely with the Practice Group Director to supervise attorneys and non-attorney paralegal advocates, and support staff, including reviewing legal analysis for accuracy and the provision of legal advice and services to clients 
• Provide support and training to new and current staff in substantive areas of law 
• Organize and participate in community outreach events, legal workshops and clinics 
• Oversee grant management and ensure deliverables are met  
• Develop broad legal expertise in public benefits 
• Interview and counsel clients
• Conduct research, review medical records, and evaluate claims based on merit 
• Drafting and filing applications, appeals, and briefs, as well as engage in mediation and negotiation to satisfactorily resolve clients’ legal issues  
• Assist and/or represent clients during the application and appeal process for disability benefits and other public benefits 
• Assist clients in achieving document readiness (e.g., obtaining California ID card, birth certificates, marriage certificates etc.) that impacts their ability to obtain benefits and housing
• Obtain certifications necessary to complete job requirements such as SOAR and Veteran’s Affairs certifications. 

• Degree from law school and active member of the California Bar in good standing 
• Ability to understand the objectives of poverty law 
• Prior work experience, paid or volunteer, with low-income organizations and client groups is preferred 
• Five years of relevant work experience  
• Knowledge of federal and state public benefits and/or education law 
• Strong written, verbal, and interviewing skills 
• Attention to detail and strong organization skills 
• Patience, flexibility, and a willingness to take on additional job responsibilities as needed 
• Self-motivated, takes initiative, ability to learn quickly 
• Prior supervisory experience  
• Be able to travel on at least a biweekly basis 
• Prior administrative law experience in public benefits
• The ability to effectively communicate with community partner organizations to maintain, or create, a working relationship  

$89,168.00 – $123,478.00

Please submit a compelling letter of interest and resume via the following link: 

https://forms.office.com/r/z6wKXj7aCk 

The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering a diverse environment. The sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces. Staff approach professional relationships with humility across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and/or limited English proficiency with a willingness to consider unique perspectives. Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.