Disaster Relief Attorney-Staten Island, NY

Organization: Make the Road New York

Position Title: Disaster Relief Attorney

Location: Staten Island, NY

Hours & Compensation: Full time.

Application Deadline: Not listed.

The Organization:

Make the Road New York builds the power of Latino and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. Make the Road operates neighborhood-based community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; JacksonHeights, Queens; Port Richmond and MidlandBeach, Staten Island; and Brentwood, Long Island. With a membership of more than 13,000 low-income New Yorkers, Make the Road tackles the critical issues facing our community: workplace justice, tenants’ rights, immigrant rights, disaster relief, language-access, LGBTQ justice, public education, health care access, and immigration reform.

Our Education Department offers ESOL, Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, and in-school and after-school youth programs. Our Community Organizing Projects help New Yorkers to implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. And our Department of Legal & Support Services provides direct legal representation, case management, facilitated enrollment into public health insurance programs, training, and strategic support for members and organizers. Our attorneys and advocates specialize in labor and employment law, public benefits, disability benefits, housing law, healthcare and health insurance access, disaster relief, immigration law, public education, and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) civil rights issues.

Legal and Support Services at Make the Road NEW YORK:

The Department of Legal and Support Services at Make the Road New York (MRNY) works to strengthen Make the Road’s organizing work by (1) helping to envision and implement leverage strategies (including strategic litigation) that help win our organizing campaigns; (2) providing technical legal support for policy work; and (3) providing direct legal and support services to draw in new members and help meet the immediate needs of MRNY’s active members. The Department currently employs 15 attorneys and 16 advocates. Our legal team is integrated into all aspects of the organization’s work. Our lawyers may spend their morning in court, the afternoon testifying at the City Council in favor of a MRNY-proposed piece of legislation, and the evening running a know-your-rights workshop for the community.

Current Opening:

We are currently hiring a Disaster Relief Attorney to be based out of our Staten Island offices. The Attorney will provide legal representation, advocacy, information & referrals, crisis intervention & recovery services to Sandy survivors who reside in predominantly Latino immigrant communities in Staten Island. The Attorney will be part of the Legal and Support Services Department and will liaise with Make the Road New York’s community organizing department.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct legal intakes and identify issues for representation or referral.
• Provide direct representation to Sandy-affected individuals in:
  • Appeals of FEMA recoupments and denials of FEMA benefits.
  • Filing of insurance claims and negotiations with insurance companies.
  • Contractor fraud and breach of contract matters in civil court and before the Department of Consumer Affairs.
  • Landlord/tenant cases
  • Unemployment assistance
  • Unpaid wage claims
• Support Make the Road’s case managers to determine eligibility and facilitate applications for government and private relief programs.
• Work with Make the Road New York organizers and partners to coordinate legal clinics and informational workshops in affected communities.

• Liaise with Make the Road New York’s organizing staff to help identify critical unmet needs in the immigrant community.
• Provide legal support for Make the Road’s policy work as needed by conducting legal research, writing, and policy analysis.

Requirements:

• Bilingual English/Spanish.
• Commitment to social justice and community building.
• J.D. and admitted to practice in New York.
• Experience in one of the following substantive areas of law: housing, employment law or previous experience in disaster relief.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, based on community members’ needs.
• Ability to travel to and within Staten Island.

Preferences:

We seek but do not require the following:

• A valid NYS Driver’s License and use of personal vehicle for reimbursable work travel.
• Prior experience providing disaster relief services.

Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals are encouraged to apply.

Salary and Benefits:

Starting salary is based on a scale set by a democratically-elected personnel committee and will depend on factors such as experience and education. Generous package of vacation, personal and sick days. Excellent health and dental coverage and family leave policies.

How to apply:

Forward a cover letter, resume, and writing sample by email to . Applications[email protected] will be considered on a rolling