Staff Attorney Social Security and VA Disability

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, a non-profit provider of civil legal assistance to low-income persons in Charlotte and Western NC, seeks Staff Attorney to focus on Social Security and Veterans Administration matters, military discharge upgrades, and to participate in other Family Support and Health Care Program advocacy activities. See attached program description for case types and other information.   The Advocacy Center is committed to aggressive advocacy on behalf of low-income people in many areas of law and in all forums in which their rights and interests are determined. Center attorneys give legal advice, represent individual low-income clients in state and federal courts and administrative agencies, provide community legal education, participate in community events, assist other agencies serving low-income people and engage in class action litigation and in legislative, administrative and other systemic advocacy projects and activities. The Center is funded by grants from federal, state and local government agencies, United Way of Central Carolinas, private foundations, individual contributions and client fees but receives no Legal Services Corporation funds. More information about the Advocacy Center is at: www.charlottelegaladvocacy.org.   Qualifications: Graduation from law school; NC Bar license, eligible for comity or to take the NC Bar exam; demonstrated commitment to the poor; strong communication and analytical ability; strong interest in both individual and systemic advocacy, self-motivated, creative and dependable; Spanish proficiency and veteran status helpful but not required.   Salary: $43,500+ depending on experience; generous leave and benefits.   To Apply: Send detailed letter explaining your qualifications for and your interest in this specific position, bar status and experience with low-income people accompanied by a resume; writing sample; the names and telephone numbers of three references; and any other relevant info to: Kenneth Schorr, Executive Director, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, by email to kens@charlottelegaladvocacy.org or by mail to 1431 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC, 28204, email is preferred.   Equal opportunity employer. Veterans, women, minorities and disabled persons are encouraged to apply. 1431 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 Telephone: (704) 376-1600 ⧫ Fax: (704) 376-8627 Kenneth L Schorr ⧫ Executive Director Direct dial: 704-971-2592 Email: kens@charlottelegaladvocacy.org   The purpose of the Family Support and Health Care Program is to ensure that low-income children, the elderly, disabled persons, veterans, immigrants and their families have access to health care and public services. The program is designed both to obtain specific relief for the individuals and families who contact the program for assistance, and also to utilize systemic advocacy strategies to change the rules, procedures and practices of federal and state agencies to ensure access to health care and public services for all affected persons.   The program focuses its advocacy efforts on the following issues:

• Access to quality health care for children and parents in low and moderate-income families.
• Assisting families on, formerly on or in danger of needing welfare in becoming self-sufficient by improving access to child support enforcement, child care, education, training, transportation, substance abuse treatment, Food Stamps, EITC, Medicaid, affordable housing, and other supportive services.
• Improving health care and income support for the disabled and elderly poor, with a focus on issues involving Social Security, SSI, Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and on improving mental health services, care in nursing and rest homes, access to community-based care, services to the HIV-positive population, and managed care.
• Assisting military veterans and their families with VA disability and pension benefits, discharge upgrades, claims under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and other services.
• Working closely with the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy Immigrant Justice Program to address these issues as they impact immigrants.

The Family Support and Health Care Program combines representation of individuals in administrative appeals with class action litigation and other impact advocacy to try to change government agency policies and practices to benefit low income and medically needy persons in Mecklenburg County and throughout North Carolina.   CASE TYPES  

• Medicaid and Medicare
• Food Stamps
• VA disability and pension
• Child Health Insurance Program
• Emergency assistance
• Military discharge upgrades
• Work First Family Assistance
• Child care assistance
• Child support enforcement
• Supplemental Security Income
• Mental health services
• EITC and other tax credits
• Social Security
• Quality nursing care
• USERRA claims