Benefits Attorney

at  Pisgah Legal Services

POSITION STATUS: FULL-TIME FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency governed by a local Board of Directors. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC), Pisgah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in WNC. The organization currently has offices in Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Hendersonville, Highlands-Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, and Rutherfordton. With over 120 dedicated staff, including over 30 attorneys plus program staff, and an active group of 200 volunteer attorneys, the program provides free services to over 20,000 people per year to meet their basic needs, primarily in the poverty law areas of housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law.
PLS is seeking a full-time N.C. licensed attorney to handle general poverty law cases primarily in the areas of healthcare and public benefits law. Legal aid experience preferred. Passion for promoting justice and overcoming barriers facing low-income people, being a creative and zealous attorney and a team-player and demonstrated commitment to achieving lasting results for clients and low-income communities are all important. Position is contingent on funding availability.

QUALIFICATIONS

• N.C. licensed attorney
• Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income people and communities.
• Demonstrated skills at socio-economic and cultural sensitivity and ability to assist upset or ill people.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams and independently.
• Ability to work with low-income clients and communities within a multi-ethnic/ multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with coworkers and clients face to face and in meeting settings.
• Fluency in Spanish would be an asset.
• Possess valid driver’s license.

• Commitment to PLS’ mission, values and vision.
• Handle a varied public benefits caseload of Medicaid, Social Security, Food and Nutritional Services (food stamps and WIC), Medicare, Affordable Care Act, Work First Family Assistance (TANF), private health insurance, disaster relief, and other cases.
• Certify and maintain certification as an NC SOAR case worker.
• Represent Pisgah Legal Services on the Statewide Benefits Task Force.
• Attend state-wide and national webinars and phone calls for benefits subject matter training and share important materials with PLS colleagues.
• Assist in case selection for benefits cases and conflict of interest inquiries when requested.
• Present to community partners on public benefits.
• Work in and travel to rural locations and attend court.
• Conduct client interviews with trauma-informed approach; advise and represent clients in Small Claims, District, Superior courts, and administrative proceedings as appropriate. (This may include representation, preparation for self-representation, obtaining continuances for assessment, and referring cases to other attorneys.)
• Document all work and communications in Legal Server case management software.
• Organize and conduct outreach and educational presentations.
• Develop and maintain community relationships including other non-profit agencies, government officials, government employees, community leaders and others.
• Travel within our service area and also to meetings or conferences in other parts of NC.
• Adhere to program priorities and case handling policies, procedures, and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards.
• Keep abreast of developments in the law and disseminate information to staff, volunteer attorneys and the public.
• Work with volunteers, including volunteer attorneys, on a regular basis.
• Assist in fundraising and outreach in coordination with PLS Development Team.