Veterans Advocacy Project Staff Attorney
Chester City (Delaware County), PA (NEW12052022)

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) seeks a full-time attorney to provide legal services in its Veterans Unit. LASP provides free civil legal services to eligible clients in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. The Veterans Unit focuses on community engagement and representation in the areas of VA benefits, military discharge upgrades, and some social security matters.

The Veterans Advocacy Project (VAP), LASP’s newest regional unit established in 2020, is based in Chester City, Delaware County. The successful candidate may be based at another LASP office, depending on the needs of the unit and organization.

We welcome applications from attorneys with experience in veterans benefits/discharge upgrades and attorneys who would be new to the practice, but who are excited to learn and excited by our mission.

Staff currently work on a hybrid basis depending on the current state of the Coronavirus in the service area. The successful candidate will be expected to perform in-office work and attend in-person court appearances as well as be able to work remotely as needed.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required. Applicants may apply for a medical or religious exemption. COVID protocols are in place.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

1. Maintain a caseload and represent clients before the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Discharge Review Boards & Boards of Correction for Military/Naval Records (DRB & BCM/NRs), Social Security Administration, and other representation as necessary;
2. Interview clients, assist in determining eligibility for services, evaluate matters for representation, and ascertain and investigate facts;
3. Assess and refer clients for assistance at LASP in its core areas of practice, including housing, family, consumer, public benefits, criminal record clearing, and any other services LASP may provide;
4. Assist in collecting military, in-service medical, and post-service medical records and review those records (in addition to conducting client and witness interviews) to develop strategy and arguments for presentation of cases;
5. Conduct legal research and interpret statutes, case law, regulations, and other sources of law, with a focus on military discharges and VA service-connected disabilities;
6. Provide advice and counsel to clients;
7. Prepare legal documents, including but not necessarily limited to: discharge upgrade applications and appeals, VA service-connected compensation applications and appeals, and Social Security applications and appeals;
8. Represent clients at hearings before administrative agencies;
9. Collaborate with social service and veteran community organizations throughout LASP’s service area and region;
10. Track client information in LASP’s database, contribute to reports by funders, attend meetings, and perform administrative tasks related to the work;
11. Perform other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.      

SUPERVISOR:

Veterans Advocacy Project Supervising Attorney.

QUALIFICATIONS:

License to practice law in Pennsylvania or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission to Pennsylvania. 0-5 years’ experience as a lawyer. Ability to become accredited with the US Department of Veterans Affairs and SSI/SSDI Outreach Access & Recovery (SOAR) Program. Passionate commitment to public interest law and creating a client-centered, culturally-competent, trauma-informed legal service project. Excellent analytical, critical thinking, organizational, time-management and communication skills. The successful candidate must be willing to accept complex and challenging cases and develop creative strategies to assist clients.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Prior work in veterans/military law and policy (including, VA claims, discharge upgrades, and Social Security claims, and Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)). Experience working with individuals experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness or living with mental illness, traumatic brain injury, or substance use disorders.

LASP is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate in the recruitment, selection, or advancement of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information or on any other basis prohibited by law. 

TO APPLY:

Send resume, cover letter and writing sample, including the job title (Veterans Advocacy Project Staff Attorney), to Elise Wilson-Coles, Human Resources Manager, by email to Hiring@lasp.org. Position will remain open until filled.