Oakland or Los Angeles, CA Office

Justice in Aging seeks a Senior Staff Attorney with at least seven years of experience to join our Economic Security team in either our Oakland or Los Angeles, CA office. The successful candidate will develop and lead a new project to respond to the needs of low-income older adults in California facing housing instability. This is an exciting opportunity to advocate for solutions to systemic problems at the state and federal level for housing issues impacting low-income older Californians, and to provide legal training and technical assistance to advocates across the state. The attorney will be based in Oakland or Los Angeles, will be part of Justice in Aging’s Economic Security Team, and will work with staff in all three of our offices (Washington, DC, Oakland, and Los Angeles).

Justice in Aging uses the power of law and our expertise in safety net programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and Supplemental Security Income to fight senior poverty. For more than 40 years, we’ve focused on addressing systemic injustice and the resulting inequities that often impact women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people with limited English proficiency.

We have a rich tradition of successful, high-impact, strategic advocacy on behalf of the more than 7 million seniors living in poverty across the country. Our Economic Security team engages with local advocates across the country to monitor and address legal issues that impact older adults. The Senior Staff Attorney position presents an excellent opportunity to contribute to this impactful work by building out a new issue area in a collegial, collaborative environment, and in a time when housing instability poses a serious threat to the security and dignity of older adults.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates are encouraged to send in their materials by February 27, 2020. Questions about the position can be directed to Shelby Minister at sminister@justiceinaging.org.

Responsibilities:

  • Work with the Directing Attorney of the Economic Security Team to establish and promote our housing advocacy project for low-income older adults, including identifying key housing issues affecting low-income older adults in California, developing project work plans, designing training programs and pursuing systemic advocacy.
  • Engage with coalitions and partners to advance the project goals.
  • Provide technical assistance on key issues for housing advocates serving low-income older adults.
  • Present in-person and online trainings on housing issues affecting low-income older adults.
  • Advance policies at the administrative and legislative levels that solve systemic housing problems, including reviewing and commenting on proposed regulations or legislation at the state and federal level. Identify opportunities to address systemic housing issues through litigation.
  • Produce written materials (issue briefs, policy papers, etc.) identifying and offering recommended solutions for housing issues affecting low-income older adults.
  • As needed, supervise fellows, law clerks, pro bono attorneys, and other staff or consultants.
  • Limited travel will be required.

Requirements:

  • J.D., with admission in the CA Bar (or admission in another Bar with eligibility for admission in CA).
  • At least seven years of legal, advocacy, or policy experience, with significant experience in housing advocacy or policy.
  • Strong legal writing, analytical and advocacy skills.

Desired:

  • Familiarity and passion for civil rights protections and public benefits applicable to older adults (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare, SSI, Social Security, or the Americans with Disabilities Act).
  • Commitment to using the law to address systemic injustice and resulting inequities.
  • Diversity of personal and professional experience.
  • Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and produce a high-quality work product.

Compensation:

Salary for this position for a person with seven years of legal experience will start at $83,500, with increases based on a salary scale commensurate with experience. Justice in Aging also offers a competitive benefits package, including health, dental and life insurance; flexible reimbursement plan; 403(b) retirement savings plan; paid parental leave; and generous vacation policy.

To Apply:

Please submit the following to Shelby Minister at sminister@justiceinaging.org:

  • Cover letter that describes your interest in this particular position;
  • Resume;
  • One writing sample;
  • Three professional references
  • DEI answer (see below)

In your cover letter, please address the following in order for your application to be considered:

At Justice in Aging we advocate for older adults, particularly regarding systemic injustice and the resulting inequities that often impact women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people with limited English proficiency. To promote social justice and best achieve our mission, Justice in Aging is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to a work environment with a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion? Feel free to think broadly about your response to this question, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences to your response.

Justice in Aging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a diverse staff and we particularly encourage applications from members of racial and ethnic minority groups, women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, and others whose background may contribute to more effective representation of low-income people and underserved communities.

Tagged: